Ancient Outdoor Museums…

A Pueblo III Anasazi Ruin

©Joe Bridwell

The Anasazi knew an end was near; this lonely, hard-to-access ruin is one of the most protected of final days. Almost hidden in a lonely, canyon-cut mesa, the setting Sun will quickly remove warmth as night's cold arrows waft up from the canyon below.

Seeking such surreal loneliness of red rock beauty suggests the Anasazi were truly world-class climbers. Somehow, they explored some of the most distant southwestern places in a never ending quest for food and safety. When a haven was found, they built isolated rooms which provided warmth and protection - always as if their concern for a right angle wall was at odds with nearby cliffs. Such ruins are now their only enduring legacy.

Some of the most scenic ruins and arches occur in southern Utah backcountry. One, the second largest arch on the planet, requires a 5 mile round-trip, sunset's direct light to be South 20° West, standing in the middle of a creek for the optimum shot, and trekking 2 miles back before 300 feet of climb (part of it sandy) to arrive at the car after dark.

Most of these often rather quaint sites aren't on any main thoroughfare. Rather, they're down some long dirt road where you park your car, put on your pack, and trek even farther into nature's wilderness. Gear, wading shoes, layers of clothing, batteries, water, protein... all contribute to a distinct sense of excitement and energy expenditure.

Yesterday's Landscape Photography

In the 70s, 80s, and 90s, landscape photography flourished albeit with huge heavy cameras and Velvia film. With less restriction on where you could set up the camera, several professional reputations were made as incredible images later adorned impeccable coffee table books of the Southwest.

Today's Digital Photography

In the last few years, digital cameras and high dynamic range imaging are transforming landscape photography to a more highly defined color range.

To capture the full range of enchanting dawn or dusk light which can illuminate ruins, arches, and other provocative landscape features, digital photography needs additional technical capability. High dynamic range imaging (HDR), automatic exposure bracketing (some cameras can provide nine bracketed shots), a panoramic head, and a sturdy tripod creates such a venue.

If we marry a digital camera and a GPS device, which can tell you where you are to within 10 feet anywhere on the planet's surface 24x7, you can essentially trek to any distant site to capture dusk, then return after dark.

One Way to Capture and Evaluate Provocative Landscape Images

But still, it takes several more definitive steps to begin to approach impeccable books... An expedition, to create successful images, needs several attributes:

1. A low noise, high ISO digital camera with sturdy tripod.

2. Software such as Garmin's Mapsource to pre-construct routes into the difficult-to-attain sites.

3. An intelligent GPS unit to carefully help secure an after-dark return.

4. Software such as Lightroom 2 to process multiple HDR images in the same orientation (and sets of images if a panorama).

5. Software such as Photoshop CS4 to:

    a. Build HDR images

    b. Merge results to panorama

And Then, Naturally, There's the Light...

Lest we forget... the most enchanting light is usually near sunset. So, you trek to the scene mid-afternoon, scope the best place for creating an exotic shot, then wait for just the right light. For a busy few minutes, you shoot landscape and portrait images in HDR, rotating your camera on the panoramic head if required.

In the end, you return to the studio. All those carefully captured images are processed, breathtaking results are finalized... Sometimes you still can't even believe the inspiring beauty both captured then carefully revealed - although you really were just there yourself!

Such incredulous 'open museums', ancient venues, silence, and beauty... bring them back to share with those who can't make such treks!

Enjoy...