Chuck Lockett Photo
Photographing America's natural places.
7 APRIL: ON THE ROAD: WILSON ARCH
Wilson Arch is literally just above the road about 25 miles south of Moab UT on US191. After a 150’ scramble up the slickrock, I hoped to be able to frame the La Sal mountains in the windows. Although unable to get the mountains, I was able to get a simple image of the elegant sweep of the arch.
Wilson Arch just south of Moab UT. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer. Hand Held. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
4-6 APRIL: CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK
Capitol Reef is one of my favorite NPs and is normally less crowded than the more well-known parks. This trip saw more visitors than I’ve seen on the two previous trips combined – largely due to high school and college spring breaks. I shot a few areas I visited previously, hoping to improve on the conditions from earlier photographs.
Hickman Bridge. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c) Chuck Lockett Photography
Fruita Orchards. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c) Chuck Lockett Photography
I also got to two areas not visited previously by me. The Notom-Burr road runs along the east and south sides of the park paralleling and crossing the Waterpocket Fold. The Mulley Twist is an unimproved 4-wheel drive excursion off the Burr road that leads to the Strike Valley overlook providing a view of the length of the Waterpocket Fold from above. Truly spectacular although a bit late in the morning for quality light.
Waterpocket Fold from Notom Road. Nikon D300, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer. Hand Held. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Waterpocket Fold from Strike Valley Overlook. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Indian Paintbrush. Nikon D300, Nikon 105mm macro, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c) Chuck Lockett Photography
The Cathedral Valley loop is a 58 mile unimproved dirt road leading through some of the most spectacular scenery in the park. I was there early to shoot sunrise on the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon in Lower Cathedral Valley. The bookstore in the park’s headquarters sells a great Self-Guided Auto Tour paper for Cathedral Valley.
Pre-Dawn at Lower Cathedral Valley. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c) Chuck Lockett Photography
Sunrise at Lower Cathedral Valley. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c) Chuck Lockett Photography
4 APRIL: SIDE TRIP: LOWER CALF CREEK FALLS IN GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT
After a relatively easy 3 mile hike in, I understood why this is such a popular hike What a beautiful spot. Although there were quite a few people hiking, I still managed periods of seclusion to enjoy the peace of the trail. I was happy to see many young families out hiking…nothing like getting the kids out into nature for a day.
Lower Calf Creek Falls. Nikon D300, Nikon 18-200mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photo
Lower Calf Creek Falls – Broader View. Lower Calf Creek Falls. Nikon D300, Tokina 11-17mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photo
3-4 APRIL: BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Having survived a cold night at Bryce Canyon’s 8000 plus feet, I hoped for a good sunrise. What I got was a great one. On previous trips to Bryce (Sep-Oct), the fall sun never rose in the right position relative to Thor’s Hammer – a shot I’ve hoped to get for some time. The spring sun, however, was perfectly positioned behind the head of the hammer, providing for an almost translucent glow to the red rocks of the formation. Definitely worth the frosty night.
Sun Rising Behind Thor's Hammer. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray 3-stop ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photo
3 APRIL: KOLOB CANYON OF ZION NATIONAL PARK
I hiked the Taylor Creek trail to Double Arch in the Kolob Canyon section of the park. Quite a difference from the crowds in the main canyon from the previous day. I saw two others on the hike in…passed a few more as I hiked out. Fairly easy 5.5 mile round trip. At the end is a unique double arch…notice the 6 foot icicles hanging from the lower rim. I had the wrong lens to best capture the arch – needed 18-20 mm range…I had 25mm on the low end. This is probably a better fall location…lots of barren trees in the foreground which should have good color in the fall.
Double Arch on Taylor Creek trail in Kolob Canyon. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photo
2-3 APRIL: ZION NATIONAL PARK
I’ve tried on previous occasions to get a shot of the Watchman with decent light and without luck. This evening’s light was tremendous…I also shot from a new location. Previously, I set up on the bridge at the Canyon intersection – the classic shot. Tonight I found a spot at the South Campground along the Virgin River with enough clearance to get the Watchman as well as some small riffles in the river.
30 MAR-1 APR: SIDE TRIP: PAGE, AZ
Tremendous photographic variety exists in the Page, AZ area. Two of the biggest draws are the Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River just downriver from Glen Canyon Dam and Antelope Canyon. I shot Horseshoe Bend on three separate occasions (two evening and one morning). The final evening was the best due to the storm clouds brewing on the horizon. Managing the contrast range was a challenge…in this case I sandwiched 2- and 3-stop split NDs to close the gap between the brighter sky and darker foreground.
Early morning overlooking Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River. Nikon D300, Tokina 11-17mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ball head. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Stormy Evening Over Horseshoe Bend. Nikon D300, Tokina 11-17mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray 2+3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ball head. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Antelope is a slot canyon on Navajo land with visits managed by the Navajo Nation. I used Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours and was impressed with the small size of the photo tour (3 people) and the knowledge of our guide Vernon Tso. He was very adept at maintaining space with other tours to facilitate our photography and was full of good suggestions about managing the difficult lighting conditions.
Sunbeam Antelope Canyon. Nikon D300, Tokina 11-17mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ball head. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Page deserves a repeat trip with more time…plenty of photography left here!
30-31 MAR: GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Beautiful Grand Canyon sunset from Yavapai Point. Nice color on the west facing formations in the canyon. Initially focused on simplifying the composition by selecting specific formations with the 70-200mm. Later shifted to the 17-35mm to bring in a broader view with the sky. Great colors on the clouds to the west with the setting sun.
Late Afternoon at Yavapai Point. Nikon D300, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photo
Last Light at Yavapai Point. Nikon D300, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray 2-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photo
Sunset From Yavapai Point. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray 3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photo
Clear cold night at Mather Campground. Lots of stars in the clear night sky with Venus and Jupiter in prominence…half moon.
Wonderful sunrise from Mather Point. The subtle changes in the canyon with the changing light as the sun comes up are amazing. Spoke to a group of young ladies from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. They actually got up on their own at 3AM to drive to the park to see the sunrise…truly amazing.
Sunrise From Mather Point. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray 2+3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Phot0
Early Morning at Mather Point. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photo
28-29 MAR: PRESCOTT AZ
I had a great visit with my aunt and uncle in Prescott AZ. We made a day trip to an area overlooking the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness – incredible view – but a bit hazy and late in the morning for good light. This is a great location to return to for early morning light, but probably requires camping overnight to be on site early. The highlight was the ruins of a Native American cliff dwelling. The builders of this dwelling took great advantage of existing geology, security, and an incredible view.
View of Sycamore Canyon Wilderness from the ruins of a Native American cliff dwelling. Nikon D300, Nikon 18-200mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer. Hand held. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography.
My uncle and I later had a drink at the Palace on Prescott’s historic Whiskey Row…complete with swinging doors and long wooden bar. I’m fairly certain that Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday once sat on my barstool while Gold Tooth Gert and Slantin’ Annie worked the bar. What a place!
29 MAR: SIDE TRIP: WEST FORK OAK CREEK
Zane Grey wrote Call of the Canyon from a cabin at the mouth of the west fork of Oak Creek in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness north of Sedona, AZ. Spending the morning hiking and photographing, I understand his inspiration…birds sing spring songs, a slight breeze rustles through the leaves, the creek flows rhythmically. The skies are blue and warm light bounces off the red rock canyon walls. An almost perfect day for photography and enjoying the outdoors. And then came Bubba. Bubba made a hike like this 50 pounds ago and based on that experience is now an expert in all things hiking and nature. His explanation to his family of how to cross the creek without getting their feet wet was both colorful and loud…echoing far up canyon. What I didn’t expect as I reached the creek crossing was his wit: “Taking pictures?” This to an individual carrying a tripod and DLSR on his shoulder. “Your pictures will probably be better than mine; I use an Instamatic.” Actually Bubba seemed a decent sort as we got to know each other while waiting for his group to cross. I certainly commend him for getting his family out on the hike; I just wish he would do so with a bit less enthusiasm. Photographically the conditions were almost perfect – with plenty of warm light bouncing down the red canyon walls, calm areas in the creek for decent reflections. I only wish for a bit more green along the creek to add some color to the water.
Colors reflecting off the red rock canyon walls in the West Fork of Oak Creek. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
And on the trail a few flowers were showing.
West Fork Oak Creek spring flower. Nikon D300, Nikon 105mm macro, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
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