photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eighteen: Light and Landscape – combining personal vision with nature’s gifts > Sunset, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 2007
previous | next
07-AUG-2007

Sunset, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 2007

The most expressive landscapes show less of the subject in order to say more about it. This is a good example of that concept. I watched and waited as the sun slowly dipped below the rim of the canyon, observing the changing pattern of light and shadow. Three of the five rock formations before me are barely seen abstractions, because of the dark shadows that engulf them. The formation closet to my vantage point is still reflecting the last rays of the setting sun along the top of its façade. It looks like an illuminated cake with one candle on it – formed by the sun splashed edge of the butte just behind it. We are celebrating the geological result of six million years of erosion here, and we do it by showing less in order to say more.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/200s f/4.5 at 55.4mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis19-Aug-2007 18:43
Yes, it is a privilege to experience such a sight as this one, Jenene. A privilege is something regarded as a rare opportunity. To be able to visit the Grand Canyon itself is a privilege. And to photograph it at dawn or dusk is an even greater privilege. Nature made this place, and nature illuminates it as well. As I noted in the caption, this image celebrates the essence of the canyon's formation -- six million years of erosion. I want to involve the imaginations of my viewers here as much as I can, and featuring nature's own abstracting force -- the interplay of light and shadow -- is the way to do it.
JSWaters19-Aug-2007 04:10
I love Cecilia's comment. There is a sense of privilege we experience when viewing such majestic natural phenomena, and it sums up my feeling every time I've viewed the Grand Canyon. Here, you've showcased the lit butte, and I hear it say, 'come see me in all my glory and remember, I'm your history, a part of you'.
Jenene
Phil Douglis13-Aug-2007 18:31
Thanks, Celia, for seeing that touch of light from the rear butte as "a final kiss." It is a wonderful metaphor. And you are right about the important relationship of shadows to light. They are the yin and yang of photography -- it takes one to define the other. That is the reason the Grand Canyon photographs so poorly at high noon. The angle of the sun leaves relatively few shadows at mid-day. As the day begins and ends, however, the sun strikes these monumental towers of rock from the side, throwing them into relief. The high walls of the canyon also throw deep shadows at dawn and dusk, in effect abstracting the landscape by isolating patches of light on the crest of those towers. This light and shadow show is thrilling just to watch, let alone photograph.
Cecilia Lim13-Aug-2007 18:02
We often speak of the importance of light in photography, but this image illustrates to us how important shadows can be too. The light can bring wonderful colour to the subject but without the shadows, we would not have been able to appreciate the Grand Canyon's wondrous form and texture. I also love that you isolated this single illuminated outcrop from the darkened shadows surrounding it. This final kiss of the sun upon this one rock suggests a feeling of immense privilege - the privilege for this magical place to be part of nature's design, and also for us to be a witness to it.
Phil Douglis12-Aug-2007 18:20
And thank you, too, Alina. I know this image will be of use to you, because I have seen your own landscapes -- and your best work is always your most abstract work. I hope this will encourage you to continue on that path.
Alina12-Aug-2007 11:37
I agree with Jola.
Phil Douglis11-Aug-2007 20:25
Thanks, Jola, for your comment -- I hope this concept will be of use to you in your own work.
Jola Dziubinska11-Aug-2007 20:05
Excellent concept and image.
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment