Just got back from ten days shooting Zion and the Nevada desert, here's a few of my favorites from the trip.
#1. "Canyon Kaleidoscope" Reflections in the Narrows of Zion. Canon 5DII, Nikon 14-24mm lens w/adapter, polarizer turned half-way.
#2. "Road to Perdition" A sandstone path leads to a fiery end in the Valley of Fire. Canon 5DII, Nikon 14-24mm lens w/adapter.
#3. "Gates of Heaven" A 20-minute starscape at Hobgoblins' Playground in the Nevada Desert. I used a headlamp with a red filter to paint the sandstone formations during the exposure.
This is a great series. Each image has a prime composition, putting these great locations in their best light and perspective. I like them all, but that's one very fine b/w and the end.
Beautiful stuff, Ian. We probably crossed paths down there last week. We had discussed heading over to Hobgoblins Playground, but didn't make it this trip. That's a very unique image and the red light paint has a great effect. The last one of the series is my favorite, just spectacular!
Walked, hiked, camped, drove, did it all! Zion, Hobgoblins', Valley of Fire, and Cathedral Gorge (another location I shot but did not include any shots in this post) are all pretty far away from each other. Hobgoblins and Valley of Fire are actually relatively close as the crow flies, but far away as the rental car drives.
Excellent images. How far up the Narrows is that first shot? I think I've only been about 2mi up.
Also any info on that polarizer adapter would be nice. I've got the Sigma 12-24 which has the bulbous front end like the 14-24. I got a 105mm CPL but can't seem to keep reflections out when holding it up in front of the lens.
The first shot wasn't too far up the Narrows, if I recall. Can't remember exactly where it was, but maybe 1 mile up? The location wasn't one of the classic spots, but the light was really doing something special, so I stopped and shot.
I'm using the Cokin X-Pro system with a Cavision 5"x5" square filter, which with some creative jamming actually fits into the X-Pro slots -- although if not careful it can pop out, as it did on my second day in the Narrows, smashing to smithereens when it hit the rocks (lucky for me I was pretty much done shooting). I find that I have to carefully wrap a cloth around the lens and holder to eliminate reflections. Kind of a pain in the rear, but the lens is so sharp it is worth the extra expense and effort, in my opinion.
Very nice series some great captures here, with great colors and lighting your takes on the Narrows are very impressive as is the star trail. Very nice textures you have brought out in the B&W conversion. as always awesome work here
Bart Carrig wrote:
This is a great series. Each image has a prime composition, putting these great locations in their best light and perspective. I like them all, but that's one very fine b/w and the end.
thanks for the info. One more lens question. Since the Nikon 14-24 has no aperture ring, how do you deal with aperture? I'm assuming with the Canon to Nikon adapter, the lens is detached electronically meaning MF only, but what about aperture?
ianplant wrote:
The first shot wasn't too far up the Narrows, if I recall. Can't remember exactly where it was, but maybe 1 mile up? The location wasn't one of the classic spots, but the light was really doing something special, so I stopped and shot.
I'm using the Cokin X-Pro system with a Cavision 5"x5" square filter, which with some creative jamming actually fits into the X-Pro slots -- although if not careful it can pop out, as it did on my second day in the Narrows, smashing to smithereens when it hit the rocks (lucky for me I was pretty much done shooting). I find that I have to carefully wrap a cloth around the lens and holder to eliminate reflections. Kind of a pain in the rear, but the lens is so sharp it is worth the extra expense and effort, in my opinion....Show more →
Did you walk, hike, and camp to get these or were you driving around?