Vernal Fall and rainbow on the Mist Trail, Yosemite National Park, California
The appropriately named Mist Trail is one of the world’s classic hikes, and a highlight of any trip to Yosemite National Park. As an alternate to the John Muir Trail when hiking to Half Dome or Clouds Rest, the trail ascends a series of stone steps above the Merced River with dramatic views in all directions.
The trail climbs steeply out of the Valley and during a heavy flow the swirling mist is a perfect way to cool off during the warm summer months. A rainbow often forms at the base of the falls, and the upper portion of the trail is actually carved into the adjacent cliff providing an exhilarating finish as the water plunges over 300 feet to the canyon below.
Palms at sunrise, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Compelling landscape images stand on their own and connect the viewer with a sense of place or time. They can be displayed alone or in a series to tell a story, but they all have one thing in common. They make a statement about a location that defines its uniqueness.
The use of color or form in a composition can provoke an emotional response. Leading lines draw the viewer into the frame, creating tension that guides your audience towards the important elements you’re presenting. Shutter speed can illustrate the passing of time to create mood. These are all-powerful creative tools that when applied thoughtfully can result in strong imagery.
Another technique is the silhouette, which uses a graphic approach to convey an idea. Any object or scene that is backlit and appears dark against a lighter background will work, but the key is to find a subject with highly defined edges. A diffused yet colorful background like a sunrise or sunset often works best as it compliments the scene and reinforces the message.
Try adding this technique to your visual toolkit to create powerful images that stand on their own and strengthen your visual storytelling.
Evening light on White House Ruin, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona
Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona is one of the classic destinations in the American southwest. Rich in Native American culture and dramatic geology, it rivals the other more well-known parks in the region, yet it sees much fewer visitors.
Although it is managed by the National Park Service, this unique monument is located within the Navajo Indian Reservation, and many local families still live and farm within the canyon walls as their ancestors have done for nearly 5,000 years.
The Park encompasses two major canyons, Canyon de Chelly (pronounced ‘de-shay’), and Canyon del Muerto, both of which include many outstanding Anasazi cliff dwellings perched precariously along the canyon walls. And while there are many excellent viewpoints along the rim drive, nothing compares to a hike down into Canyon de Chelly to visit White House Ruin.
This dramatic ruin is an icon of the Colorado Plateau, and the only part of the inner canyon accessible without a Navajo guide. It is a wonderful photographic study in light and shadow as the afternoon light bathes the desert varnish of the imposing sandstone walls above.
Arizona is known as the Grand Canyon state and while that natural wonder is in a class by itself, the smaller scale and equally dramatic vistas make this special park well worth the detour when exploring the Four Corners area.
