This restaurant offers its patrons a spectacular view of Sedona's famous "red rock" scenery. These people are dining on a summer evening in an open-air space, surrounded by a surreal view that would seem impossible to take for granted. At dusk, a setting sun paints the panoramic sweep of ancient cliffs in light, shadow, and color. Misters at the edges of the roof make a warm evening much cooler, and add a gauzy effect to the scene. My photograph contrasts this mass of diners, and their servers who walk among them, to the incredible scenery that lines the horizon in the background. The image offers a frame within a frame to guide the eye, and the pair of servers at left and right create a base for the triangular composition that draws the eye to the pointed peak in the background.


Everyone appears to be absorbed in their food and conversation. None seem to consider what surrounds them at this moment, except for us who view this photograph. We can see both diners and scenery at the same time, and it is this contrast that brings incongruity to this image. Dozens of these diners, surrounded by the stuff of dreams, may be taking the spectacular view for granted at this moment, yet many of them will likely walk away remembering the experience.