Approaching Storm Over Horseshoe Bend

Posted by Don Smith (California, United States) on 2 June 2008 in Landscape & Rural.

An approaching thunderstorm brings a dramtic sky over the area known as Horseshoe Bend, located in the Glen Canyon Recreation area near Page, Arizona. This was my first visit to the area where the Colorado River bends 270-degrees around Navajo sandstone. When we first arrived, the light was very harsh. The timing of these boats and the clouds made the short wait worthwhile. I finally had to give up shortly after getting this shot because the winds began to howl, blowing sand and dust into my eyes and camera gear. To see more of my landscape imagery, get information on this and other upcoming workshops, or to purchase a copy of my book, On the Edge, please visit my website at http://www.donsmithp[hotography.com

Comments (27)

Ekaputra Tupamahu from Malang, Indonesia

wow... amazing shot!!

2 Jun 2008 10:58am

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

Spectacular rock formation.

2 Jun 2008 11:08am

Betty from New Jersey, United States

Fantastic!

2 Jun 2008 1:16pm

Don Smith from California, United States

Hi Ekaputra, Ana and Betty,

Horseshoe Bend is one of those iconic place that has been photographed to death. I was lucky in that the light changed quite dramatcically within the time I was there - the boats helped add a sense of scale and departed as if right on que!

2 Jun 2008 1:21pm

Vincent Lam from Shanghai, China

Great work!

2 Jun 2008 2:18pm

Don Smith from California, United States

Thanks Vincent.

2 Jun 2008 2:44pm

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, United States

wonderful composition -- love the colors and the dramatic sky. nice work!

2 Jun 2008 4:49pm

Don Smith from California, United States

Thaks dj

2 Jun 2008 4:55pm

Irene from Galati, Romania

Wonderful landscape! I love it!

2 Jun 2008 6:16pm

Ivan Makarov from San Jose, United States

Brilliant images you got on that trip, Don. I really love your take on it and a beautiful light. Those images are very dramatic. It is a familiar picture from this spot, but the light here makes all the difference. I haven't seen it in these tones before.

If you don't mind sharing, how many stops of light did you have to tame to blend the skies into this exposure?

2 Jun 2008 6:19pm

Don Smith from California, United States

Hi Irene and Ivan,

Thanks for the comments. For this image, I just used a 2-stop grad as the sky and the light on Horseshoe Bend were pretty even. I darkened the sky a bit more when I processed the RAW and bumped the contrast a hair to bring out the clouds.

2 Jun 2008 7:03pm

Ivan Makarov from San Jose, United States

Thanks for your response, Don. It looks very natural. After spending hours trying to blend exposures for various images I finally decided to get into filters to save some time and stress for myself. So it's a good learning opportunity for me to see how you capture these.

2 Jun 2008 8:50pm

Don Smith from California, United States

Hi Ivan,,

I would recommend spending the money and purchasing the Singh Ray split grads. I use the 4"x 6" and handhold - I don't mess with holders. The less time at the computer the better. Try to make it as perfect a capture as you can in camera.

2 Jun 2008 10:01pm

Eric Rousset from Grasse, France

That's amazing, great pov !!

3 Jun 2008 12:05am

Don Smith from California, United States

Thanks Eric!

3 Jun 2008 12:08am

Stéphane from Near to BXL, Belgium

Impressive and beautiful picture. I wonder what it would have been if the ray of ligth had hit the bend in stead of the backbround. Thanks you for providing such amount of interesting comments and sharing your techniques.

3 Jun 2008 8:41am

Mandy Provan from Johannesburg, South Africa

FANTAstic shots Don. You have managed to make Arizona a destination I now desperately want to visit - to see these beautiful sights for myself!! Awesome pictures

3 Jun 2008 12:07pm

Don Smith from California, United States

Hi Stephane and Mandy,

Thanks you both for your nice comments. Arizona is perhaps the most beautiful state (next to California but I'm partial) in the country. I've been to every state but six, and many have theri own unique beauty (Utah and Colorado are also very scenic), but there is something very special about the entire state. Stephane, a little serendipity and perhaps I would have gotten that shaft of light on the Bend. But after arriving and seeing the harsh light early on, I'll gladly take this image. I really couldn't wait much longer as the wind really began to gust and was blowing sand into my eyes and camera gear.

3 Jun 2008 12:44pm

Ivan Makarov from San Jose, United States

4" x 6" aren't cheap, so I'll start saving my pennies (easier to do when no money needs to be spent on hockey tickets).

One more question, Don. Do you prefer hard-edged or soft-edged ND grads?

4 Jun 2008 5:56am

Silverado Photography from Clearlake, United States

Breathtaking Shot!

4 Jun 2008 10:48am

Don Smith from California, United States

Hi Ivan,

I use soft edge. If a scene calls for a hard edge filter, I simply bracket exposures with my shutter and it's an easy blend in the computer.

4 Jun 2008 12:58pm

Don Smith from California, United States

Hi Ivan,

I use soft edge. If a scene calls for a hard edge filter, I just bracket - that's a simple blend in Photoshop.
Thanks also to Silverado Photography!

4 Jun 2008 1:01pm

Ivan Makarov from San Jose, United States

That's an excellent point, Don. Thanks!

4 Jun 2008 9:20pm

Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Beautiful imagery Don. Will check out your website.

8 Jun 2008 10:26pm

shahab from Qazvin, Iran

Excellent capture!Stunning!!!

8 Jun 2008 10:37pm

April from Iloilo City, Philippines

fantastic shot!!! i love all your photos....so inspiring...

23 Jun 2008 3:03am

greg from Denver, United States

this is a pretty impressive body of work on aminus Don... I've really enjoyed going thru your gallery...

12 Jul 2008 2:03pm

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ISO 100
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