My photographic journey through the Southwest!

[The Wild Eye]

Hello Every one

I took a trip this past spring through northern <st1:state w:st="on">Arizona</st1:state> and <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Utah</st1:place></st1:state> and thought I'd share some of my photos with you from this beautiful area! I went through 6 National Parks and many other places that were just as amazing as the Parks.

This shots is my favorite from the entire trip!! It was taken in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Canyonlands</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">National Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> at sunrise. It just might be my personal favorite all time!

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#1 <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mesa</st1:place></st1:city> Arch

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#2 This shot was also at Mesa Arch a little after sunrise.


If you have never shot in the Antelope Canyons near <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Page</st1:city> <st1:state w:st="on">AZ.</st1:state></st1:place>..I HIGHLY recommend it!! This spot was my favorite place to shoot. I didn't end up with a shot that I thought was better than Mesa Arch, but there were some many things to shoot....it was a blast!!

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#3 This shot was taken in the upper canyon and would have been great had it not been a cloudy day!! I'm sure you've all seen the beams of light this area gets.....I guess I'll just have to go back some day!!

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When you shoot in the canyon you don't want to get the sky in your shots because it throws all the colors off and you'll usually get a bad sun flair. But here I was lucky to get a good flair.

Now for the <st1:place w:st="on">Grand Canyon</st1:place>.....AMAZING and if you've been there you know what I mean. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sunrise</st1:place></st1:city> and Sunset are the best here!!
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Here are a couple more shots from more random place on the trip.

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#7 This is horseshoe bend right out side of Page. Well worth the time to see during the day.

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#8 Goblin Valley State Park, UT was one very odd place but quite unique to say the least!!

Well this is a very small taste of what I saw on my trip through the Southwest. If any one is planning a trip and would like some advice please ask I'd love to share some of the things i learned on the trip.

Also if you are interested in the rest of my pictures from this trip they can be viewed here.
http://samswartz.smugmug.com/Sams%20Most%20Recent%20Images

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[anwmn1]

Good stuff Sam. :thumb Glad you enjoyed yourself out here in the West.

[cmorganphotography]

Can you number these because the journal writing you have doesn't differentiate them. #4 of the series (starting from the top) Was this the cloudy day... because I think the light and colour in that was is great. I really like the angles too. The others just look washed out and the sun is conflicting.

[The Wild Eye]

Can you number these because the journal writing you have doesn't differentiate them. #4 of the series (starting from the top) Was this the cloudy day... because I think the light and colour in that was is great. I really like the angles too. The others just look washed out and the sun is conflicting.

Thanks got them numbered....The color was great that day I wont complain....but if you've ever seen shots of this place you can get the same color only with a white streak of light through the middle.

Which shot are you seeing the angles? not sure that I saw it that way. :D

[cmorganphotography]

Thanks got them numbered....The color was great that day I wont complain....but if you've ever seen shots of this place you can get the same color only with a white streak of light through the middle.

Which shot are you seeing the angles? not sure that I saw it that way. :D

#4. It looks carved. Plenty of smooth and rough. Jagged angles. Rough edges. Looks like ice cream, honestly.

[The Wild Eye]

#4. It looks carved. Plenty of smooth and rough. Jagged angles. Rough edges. Looks like ice cream, honestly.

WOW am I slow.....I'm with you!

It is amazing to see what water can do...especially to sand stone.

[Awais Yaqub]

These are very beautifuly done amazing
thanks for sharing

[swintonphoto]

Wonderful shots! I have been to one of these spots and didn't have near the great results you did.:D

[The Wild Eye]

Wonderful shots! I have been to one of these spots and didn't have near the great results you did.:D

I will tell you the same thing a great photographer told me......"Chase good light". Luck always helps but most of the good shots from this trip either came at sunset or from getting up at 4:00am to be the first one there!!

Thank you for your kind words!!

[dadwtwins]

First off let me congratulate you on going to the most beautiful dramatic landscapes mother nature has ever made. How can you not be in complete awe after seeing such beautiful art made by mother nature herself.:bow

You captured some beautiful scenes, thank you for sharing:clap

[davemj98]

Sure wish I had been on that trip, glad you posted.
Dave

[grimace]

Beautiful series of shots.