Photographing Zion Fall 2019: Episode 6
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- In this episode of my fall trip to Zion National Park, I venture into the park without a specific subject in mind, then set out to see if something catches my eye. NO DRONES were used in the making of this video. The clips starting at 2:45 and 3:04 were recorded with a small cable cam and my RX100 in an infrequently visited section of the park.
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On the last point you made in the video, I am always reminded of what a sound engineer once told me - you have to go away and come back to it after a period of time. You spend all day concentrating on the level of a cymbal, because you're focused on it, its all you can hear. You need to come back later when you've forgotten about it to see how it really is.
That is an excellent point Stephen, and something I have also noticed when it comes to photo editing, in addition to our perception of the photo as a whole. After a while, your brain pays more and more attention to things that matter less. When you walk away from whatever project you're working on, then return with fresh eyes, you'll cleanse your palate, and see it with fresh eyes. That's why I've found that it's easier for me to edit multiple photos at a time versus one at a time. If I do a minor tweak to one photo, then quickly move on to the next, I keep getting that "first instinct glance" again and again, and it allows me to be more critical of the image. If I just stared at the same photo for a long time, I would become blind to the parts that matter the most.
That tree is in a great location. I hope it continues to thrive and grow there. Like you said, it straddles the mid point of the canyon, between two distinct rock formations and is a great visual cue to the surrounding environment.
Thanks James! It is a tree that I will continue to revisit in future years to check up on. I love the process of revisiting scenes like that. Those Box Elder trees are incredibly tough. I'm constantly amazed at the places where they seem to thrive.
that tree image is awesome against the blue rocks behind
Thanks Tom!
I’m glad you stopped to take pictures of that first tree. When you walk by it at the beginning of the video without even acknowledging it, I was like “Oh my God, this could make a great picture !! What are you doing Ben ?!” 😂👍🏼
As usual love the mood of the video, love the pictures !!
Happy new year !
Thanks so much! When I walked past the tree that morning, it definitely struck me as being a really cool subject, but the light was really flat so I figured I would revisit it in the afternoon. Once there was a bit of reflected light on the back wall, I knew I had to take a photo. That just goes to show the power of light with photography.
@@BenHorne This is one of my favorite photographs you've done. It's just beautiful!
Saturday mornings wouldn't be complete without your videos Ben. That image has to be in your portfolio!
Thanks so much Bill! Always great to hear from you.
I'm glad you found potential in the lone tree image and kept it in mind if all else fails up canyon. I like the cable cam footage, too. Nice work, Ben!
Thanks as always Bryan! That tree really goes to show the power of light. It was quite flat in the morning so the scene didn't appeal to me very much, but once there was some warm reflected light on that background wall, it really jumped out to me. The cable cam was fun to use, and you'll be seeing more of it in the last 2 videos of the series.
@@BenHorne Absolutely fantastic, Ben! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the trip and the reveal.
you're a true artist Ben.
Thanks so much!! It's hard not to be in a beautiful place like Zion in the fall.
That image is beautiful, a lonely tree growing in such a harsh place. I love your photos but also love your poetic narratives. I think you have a great way of putting words together as well as conveying your feelings into your words.
Thanks Anton! That was one of the reasons why I started doing the videos over 10 years ago. At the time I had a written blog, but I found it difficult to write, so I turned to video. I think there's something very special about video where I can better articulate my thoughts on the photos.
that 30 sec exposure really made me hold my breath. So nice hat it turned out that good!
Thanks Mathias! I definitely was holding my breath as well! 30 seconds is a lot to ask for a tree to stand still, but if you're patient enough, it'll happen at some point. Thanks for watching!
Happy New year 👍
Like that morning Zion intro 😌
Knew that cotton wood tree was Good on the video walk through, fortune favoured you 👍
30 seconds as well ! Well worth the hours wait 😀
Thanks Stuart! Waiting for the breeze to settle while holding a cable release is in many ways like a forced meditation. It can be so very calm at times.
Ben Horne yes i remember waiting an hour myself for a 1sec exposure high
On an exposed Limestone pavement. It is Very satisfying to make the image
That you are so engaged with 😊
The soft blaze of light in that image, Ben - now you're talking! Just wonderful!
Thanks so much! I really like how Ektar handled that photo. It gave the scene a warm, almost reminiscent feel to it.
You and Steve O’Nions both with new content this morning! Great stuff as always!
Next time Steve and I will have to coordinate our wardrobes for added impact. ;-)
Ben Horne, the two of you are part of a few good men and women who put out really good work, are dedicated to the craft and are down right cool! Keep up the good work dude! Cheer from Seattle
Ben I have a question about tripods. what are the rules? You must be able to use one. but I thought they say no tripods. is it only in certain parts of the park? can you shed some light on this?
Randy Charlton Hi Randy! Those rules are for people attending photography workshops in Zion. There are also a lot of restrictions for where those workshops are allowed.
Thank you sir. I plan on visiting the park the first week of May this year. I want to take my tripod with me. Love your photos and your Videos.
Another Well Done video Ben.......Thanks for taking us (me) along with you. Looking forward to more.
Thanks as always Dave! Much appreciated!
Excellent work, Ben. You had quite a successful trip this year. I'm also inspired to knock the dust off my 4x5 gear and make some new film exposures. It's been too long...
Thanks Dustin! Yeah, the trip had a bit of a slow start, but it definitely became quite productive near the end. The color and the conditions were so excellent this year. You should definitely get the 4x5 out and expose some film. You've done such great work here with local shooting. That's something I really need to get better at.
Hey Ben, Great to watch you do your thing as always. I needed some inspiration as I am in a bit of a funk creatively with my own work. Watching how you work is a good reminder that its not always about the portfolio shot. I have a somewhat unrelated topic question for you. I have a week off from teaching in mid February. I usually go to Death Valley in winter but was wondering what your opinion is of shooting in Zion at that time of year? I will be flying into Vegas and could head West to DV or East to Zion. Thanks
Thanks Graeme! With regard to visiting Zion in the winter, I highly recommend it. IMO, the Cottonwoods are even better subjects when they are stripped of their leaves, and you will have all sorts of opportunities to work with some wonderful ice in the spring-fed creeks that flow year round. When you add to that the greatly reduced crowds and ability to drive into the main canyon, it's a real treat! I try to combine both DV and Zion into my winter trip, but I find Zion is more rewarding to shoot since you don't have to depend on sunrise/sunset light, and you can shoot all day.
14:12 - amazing shot Ben!
Thanks so much!! It was certainly a surprise!
Stunning video Ben. The story telling is as always perfect. You just want to watch it all over again with a nice cup of tea under a warm blanket.
The new footage with the string are superb. I can't even start to imagine how much time I takes you to settle, shoot, pack and then process, organise and finish this kind of videos. This I true dedication. We're all so lucky to be able to enjoy this kind of work. You make this world a better place man. May this new year brings you joy and everything you could ever wish for. You deserve it more than anyone.
Thanks so much Florian! It definitely does take a lot of work to make the videos, but I love how everything comes together. Though I cover a total of 9 days on this trip, I was in the park for 10 days. On my final day of the trip, I didn't take any photos. Instead, I visited various places with the string cam and got some footage to incorporate into the rest of the videos. That was honestly one of the most fun days because I knew all my work was done, and I was able to focus my creativity on the video side of things.
Happy new year Ben wishing you all the best for 2020, Another great video of such a beautiful place👍
Happy new year to you as well Chris! Thanks as always for watching!
Great series, as always! Watching these videos is very calming and peaceful, like Bob Ross with a large format camera.
Thanks so much Shawn!
Just can't get over how epic that cottonwood in the slot canyon looked. It was definitely interesting to hear about you composition process and then how your opinion is shifting over time. Your self reflection is always such a great part of your content. Thanks (again!)!
Thanks as always Joshua! When I post the film reveal from this trip, you'll see that I had a mostly negative feeling about the photos from this trip. I felt I had maybe 2 photos at most. It's very interesting how that perception changes with time. I love it when a photo grows on me with time.
Where is this wash located at Zion Ben? It’s beautiful. 👍👍
Hi John! Thanks for watching! I have to walk a very fine line with these videos. A lot of people can potentially read these comments and watch these videos, so I never say exactly where I am in the videos. These areas are very pristine. They don't see a ton of foot traffic, and they lack the infrastructure for increased visitation. I fear that there will be an increase in vandalism and litter if specific locations are given. I've seen other parts of the park defaced in recent years. That all being said, if you visit Zion and do some exploring, you'll find some pretty awesome stuff. Just make sure you tread lightly, and leave a minimal footprint both literally, and digitally. It would be a real bummer to see these areas ruined for future visitors. Thanks again for watching and for the kind words!
Looks like another great photograph Ben- perhaps a portfolio piece?? I really like this one- does that canyon ever fill with water...if so, that is one tough tree standing the test of time and thriving in spite of the conditions! I would be surprised if this trip doesn't turn out to be one of your best photographic trips to Zion! Another great video Ben- your trips and videos are a huge encouragement for the rest of us to get out and explore with a curiosity that feeds our creativity!
Thanks Kevin! This photo definitely has earned a spot in my portfolio, but since it took a while for me to come around to liking it, it didn't make the cut for my 2019 box set. Who knows though, maybe if I have a rough year in 2020, I'll slip this photo into that box set. We'll see. With regard to the canyon, that wash serves as drainage for a VERY large area, so when there is a lot of rain, the wash becomes a violent torrent of churning water and debris. When you combine that with the lack of direct sunlight for much of the year because fo the imposing wall on the right, it truly is a tough place for a tree to grow, but it is thriving down in there.
Hi Ben, any tips for a first trip to. Ion hopefully in the Spring? Great video as always enjoyable
It will be very busy in the spring, so bring a sense of patience. Beyond that, hike a bunch of trails, and enjoy! It's park that a person could explore for the rest of their life and still not see everything. Chances are that you will find yourself wanting to return to see more of the park.
Loved the video Ben, and the image is fantastic one of your very best !! You show great patience creating the image and it paid off big time. Also love the thought of approaching every image as if it is going to be a portfolio shot. I cant help but think you missed a potential shot at 2.30 that big old tree had potential. Great work and thanks for sharing.
Thanks John! You have a very good eye! The scene you mentioned at 2:30 is one that I have indeed photographed in years past. I included that video clip because I enjoy revisiting subjects that I've previously photographed. I shot a vertical of those two twisted pine trees, and that has been the wallpaper image on my phone since 2015. It's one of my favorite shots from Zion. Thanks again John!
@@BenHorne I knew there was a reason you walked past it, Your videos are awesome, and inspiration and a real lesson in the art of Photography. Thanks again.
As usual your videos are simply so awesome. Thank you so much for sharing and happy new year!
Thanks Carsten, and I hope you have a fantastic new year as well!
Love that single tree at 1:20 with the walls of the wash framing it up! LOL as I continued watching.. you agree :) #kidagain !!
Good eye Robert! ;-)
Thanks Ben, for taking us along. Beautiful image too!
Thanks so much for watching Peter!
Ahhhhh! Duality is a good thing. Really nice shot Ben. Best, Bob
Thanks as always Bob! Much appreciated!
the vista at 2:30 screams photo to me
This just goes to show that you have a great eye! I photographed a vertical of that tree back in 2015, and it is one of my favorite photos from Zion. I've used it as the wallpaper on my phone ever since then. I enjoy including clips of me walking past scenes that I have photographed in years past. It brings those photos to life, and shows if/how the scenes have changed. Thanks for watching!
Thank you Ben for more of the adventure. Beautiful calming video with some great shots presented. Gives me the initiative to go out and shoot some landscape in the near future, so plan to head to Yosemite next weekend and debating if I should head to Pinnacle Nation Park here shortly for a short over nightery. Then again just got back from West Virginia a day ago so some aspects or just take it easy for this weekend and maybe go check out my spot where I heard the Mountain Lion. Either way I thank you for post and inspiration and for sure (barring bad weather) off to Yosemite next weekend for a few days. Best to you and the family.
Thanks so much Tim! I definitely want to check out Pinnacles at some point too. Perhaps on a future trip. I hope you have a fantastic 2020!
@@BenHorne You should for sure check out Pinnacles sometime down the line, I think you will find some great landscapes to be taken there and with your style and dedications, no doubt something very unique. If you do anytime in the not to far future, drop me a line and I would love to go up there with you if nothing else to enjoy a cup of Joe while you run off finding the perfect landscape and I go see if I can catch some Condors that hang out there.
It’s no exaggeration to say that seeing this video and photograph fed my soul. Keeping music to a minimum is great as it helps in communicating your thought processes, experience of the environment and wider sensibilities. I’m so pleased that this photograph is included in your book that I have recently pre-ordered. Zion is a remarkable place and it seems there is plenty of opportunity to get away from the crowds for intimate landscape photography, However when you’re on a tight schedule, as I have been on the three visits I have made, it can be hard to know where to start. Thank you again for making such an extensive series of informative yet highly personal videos.
Thanks Philip! Some of my favorite videos to make are the ones with no music at all. It's actually quite a challenge to make them that way, but I really like how they all come together that way. Zion is definitely a place that one needs to spend some time exploring. It takes me a couple days or so to get situated, but once that happens, there are so many great things to find there. I'm already looking forward to my return trip this fall!
Yes, although keeping music to a minimum can be a challenge, you’re fortunate to have an engaging voice, plus a lot of meaningful content, with which to keep the viewer’s attention.
The image is superb...
Thanks so much Ian! It was certainly a bit of a surprise for me.
I knew when you walked by the Cottonwood tree early in the video you'd return back to capture. Pure Ben Horne.
That sure was a beautiful tree and it caught my eye in the morning, but the light was so flat just after sunrise. I'm sure glad I walked past it again later in the day because that warm reflected light up top sure made a difference. That's why it pays to revisit locations at different times of the day.
@@BenHorne That is what it means to be a Photographer.
Nice one Ben, Happy New Year.
Thanks Paul! Happy new year to you as well!
My favorite photo so far!
Thanks so much Chad!
Awesome image and content
Thanks as always Joshua! This was one of my favorite videos from the trip. I think you'll really enjoy the 8th one as well. That was a pretty awesome day.
So glad you take us along with you and what a stunning image.
Thanks so much Mark! Thanks for watching!
The most stressful 30 seconds of video.
Yup! That's one of the experiences of shooting LF that can be a challenge - knowing when to start the exposure, and if there is a long enough break in the wind to allow it. Usually there is somewhat of a pattern to the wind. If you wait there for a while, you'll get a feeling for how long the gaps are, and how frequent they are.
Ah that tree was gorgeous, so subtle but full of colour. Very relaxed and watchable video cheers Ben
Thanks so much Lee! Kodak Ektar really did a great job with that scene. I like how it gave the photo a slightly warm, almost reminiscent feel to it.
Wonderful as always Ben! Loved the “string cam” footage and seeing your bike setup. One of the things I love about these UA-cam videos is seeing how others approach the same area. I was in that same wash where you photographed the box elder. And I also had a crack at it. Different composition of course but also struggled with the ‘blending in’ issue. I really appreciate your ‘2 month’ later appraisal and that helps me feel better about my image. Also knowing you went with Ektar will prompt me to scan my Ektar exposure and try that. I’ve initially been ok with the transparency exposure but maybe the negative film will be better. I also enjoyed hearing your assessment of how some sections of that wash usually have standing water. I cruised through that little arch none the wiser and now I know how lucky I was to be there. So, big thanks on several fronts for all the contents in this video!
Hi Scott! It was indeed really cool to see how you approached this scene. I think you'll like what you see when you scan the Ektar version, just so long as you gave it enough light for the darker areas. I exposed the darkest shadows to the left of the tree at -1.5 stops, which gave me plenty of detail. I closed the shadows down a bit in photoshop for a natural appearance, but it's great to have all the detail needed. Ektar isn't the most fun to scan compared to slides, but I just love those buttery tones.
Ben Horne Thanks for this detail. I think I like your version better. Including the foreground yellow bush is too much of a blob in mine, but anyway, I will enjoy seeing what I can pull from the Ektar. Thanks again.
Ben you’ve got such a cool/chill perspective and insight into your photographic practice. A calm enthusiasm, a cautious optimism. I love, as always, the reveal at the end. Duality. Yes. Technically you’ve got some eye-popping shots starting at around 2:35. Zooming into/through the scene, crossing overhead your path. Great stuff.
Thanks so much Cary! Much appreciated!
The initial pressure to get a photo is terrible. When you finally let go of it thats usually when you the composition you were looking for. Great video. 🥂
Yup! That initial pressure is always quite tough to work with. That's why I've found that if I just get that first photo out of the way, even if it's one I don't think highly of, at least it gets the ball rolling and it takes the weight off my shoulders. Thanks as always David!
More wonderful from you. Thank you. I am curious about how busy you find the more remote spots..like the slots where you were the first part of the day in this video. Do you have to spend time waiting for other hikers to pass through?
Hi Anne-Marie! In these particular areas, it's actually quite rare to run into anyone. On the morning I shot this photo, not a single person walked past. When I see other people out there though, they're often photographers, and chances are that I know them.
Great camera work in this video! Thanks for sharing your journey Ben!
Thanks Vincent! I absolutely love visiting Zion because there is so much beauty to work with there - both from a video, and a photography perspective. You'll see some more fun video stuff in the final videos of the series.
The main canyon looked great! It takes me back to my last walk through there with my daughter. I love that place. (Although the colors weren’t that good).
Thanks Jay! Yup, the main canyon had an excellent mix of colors. The maples were near peak, the cottonwoods were still quite green, but the box elders and some of the other smaller trees were showing some excellent color. I definitely plan to spend some more time in the main canyon next year.
One of the things that stick out to me is crunching. I have walked through canyons similar to this and the thing that sticks out is all the crunching of the rocks under your feet. So that makes the video more real. If your knee hurts now, wait till you add 20 years to that knee. It does get tougher so be aware. Great video as always.
Thanks Danny! Yup, the sound of the rocks crunching while walking through the canyons sure is a great sound. I just love how the sound echos through the canyons. Thankfully, my knee felt better that same day. I think I twisted it weird the day before, but it didn't bug me for the rest of the trip. I'm definitely quite thankful that my legs/knees/feet have put up with the abuse they have seen through the years by covering so much ground on these trips.
@@BenHorne I truly hope your joints, legs, feet, etc. Last for many years. I also hope your desire to do what you do and share it with us continues to be strong. Because I'm a little selfish and hope to watch you for many more years to come.
To me the composition is perfect, beautiful image!
Thanks Jorge! I really enjoyed my time down in that canyon setting up the photo. It was so nice and calm down there.
Sweet! Right there with you on the duality of that beautiful shot, Ben. Great stuff as always 👍🏻
Thanks as always Martin! That was certainly a bit of a surprise shot for me. I didn't even really give it much thought until I was working on the video and gave the photo another peak. Somehow it seemed to click this time, but before I didn't like it.
Happy New Year Ben. Another great video of Zion.
Happy New Year to you as well Chad! Thanks for watching!
That 30 sec wait while u held the watch and shutter .. kept thinking will winds blow . Great pic at the end 👍
Thanks Vikas! That's always one of the biggest decisions.... when exactly to start the exposure. Often times there will be a nice break in the wind, but then it will start again a few second into the exposure. That's another $30 down the drain. 😬 It sure is great clicking the shutter shut when the wind is still calm, and putting that darkslide back in.
I absolutely love that image Ben the colours of the canyon walls and the tree are just stunning, beautiful
Thanks as always Andrew!
Slow and steady…beautiful image!
Thanks Jeremy! Slow and steady is definitely the name of the game for large format! 👍
I love how the tree branches stretch towards both sides of the canyon walls and swing of the canyon wall on the right.
The colors remind me strongly of old impressionist paintings.
Really great work.
Thanks Michael! The interesting thing is that I didn't notice any of the specifics about the branches and their placement when I was shooting it. I was focusing my attention mostly on how the trunk interacted with the background wall. It was only after scanning the film and working with it on the computer that I noticed how those lower branches seem to mimic the flow of the canyon walls.
I like how the contours of the rock on the left side of the scene lead into the branches of the tree. It's a really nice image!
Thanks so much Ross! I wish I could say that I planned it that way, but it's one of those things I noticed after the fact.
I love Saturday mornings now
Thanks so much for watching!
Very good!!
Thanks so much!
A drone! I guess that means you hit your pushup target?
Adam Hi Adam! That footage was recorded with a cable cam strung between trees. I don’t think I will ever be adding a drone to my arsenal since there are very few places where they can be legally flown.
Wow even cooler!