After three wonderful days in Zion National Park, my friend Brian and I packed up and headed for the canyon. We both fell in love with Zion, and while Brian was eager to experience his first glimpse of the canyon, I was ambivalent. The Grand Canyon is arguably the most popular national park in the world, how the hell was I going to capture it in a way that hadn't been done before? While popular in its own right, Zion offers many opportunities for different photographs. The variety of scenery in Zion is in my mind its greatest attribute. Yes, there are iconic scenes, but with a little effort it is possible to find different and unique images in Zion.My other issue with the Grand Canyon was that while this was my first visit, I was afraid that all the pictures of the canyon I had seen over my life would make it feel like I had already been. Sure enough, my first glimpse from the overlook seemed all too familiar. Still spectacular, but not in the way that Zion was the first time I laid eyes upon it. At that moment I wasn't even certain I was going to bother trying to photograph it. The inspiration just wasn't there. There was no thrill of discovery.
And then there were the people. Throngs of people on the rim, crowding each and every overlook I turned in to. That first evening I tried three different overlooks before I found one with available parking. "Are you s*&%$# me?", I muttered (or perhaps yelled) to myself, as I drove to the next overlook down the road. Not exactly the one on one communion with nature I enjoy. I took pictures at sunrise the next morning from one of the overlooks, me and three dozen of my closest friends. It wasn't until a couple hours later when Brian and I began our hike down into the canyon that the sheer majesty of this wondrous place unfolded before us. It was then that we had finally arrived at the Grand Canyon.
I know what you mean about the throngs of people, I also don't deal well with crowds. And also over-photographed locations. I once took a picture of Yellowstone's lower falls with a tree blocking the view because I'm such a rebel. I like this shot of the rim FWIW, balancing the light on the near and far doesn't seem trivial.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I appreciate that. I haven't been to Yellowstone yet and I fear I would suffer similar feelings. But I think Yellowstone offers more variety than the Canyon. Then again, I didn't have time to go to the bottom and experience it from the river.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to read this today as we have been talking about where to take our next trip and the debate was, for a bit, between Paris and Barcelona. We're opting (so far) for Barcelona because we are so unfamiliar with it.
ReplyDeleteThat said, you're right. Once we got below the rim and away from the tour-bus, cigarette smoking, pushing masses, the Canyon was spectacular. Still, much to my surprise, I would visit Zion again before returning to the Grand Canyon.
callmekidd is right. The lighting in this shot is phenomenal.
I think with the Canyon the North Rim is the way to go. And it's that much closer to Zion. Next time!
DeleteI had to laugh when I read about your three dozen "close friends!" Here in SLC you can't throw a rock in the air without it landing on another photographer. I feel like I have to go to a national park to ESCAPE them! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Reading this makes me want to visit Zion. Seeing that photo makes me want to visit the Grand Canyon!
Thanks Ash. One nice thing about photography back east is that there aren't nearly the number of photographers as out west, even in national parks like Acadia. It was interesting though, there were hardly any "serious" photographers in Zion in April, whereas when I was there in November it was crawling with them.
Delete