Grand Canyon, a photo from Arizona, West

Photographer's Note

Possibly one of the main highlights of any tourist visiting the US will be the Grand Canyon. I would love to take photos of this place early morning or late afternoon when lighting is ideal. But because I was in a group tour, I only have an hour photo opportunity under a harsh afternoon sun ... possibly next time an overnight option is better. This place is just awesome! Wikipedia describes this natural wonder as follows;

"The Grand Canyon is a colorful steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park — one of the first national parks in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of preservation of the Grand Canyon area, and visited on numerous occasions to hunt and enjoy the scenery.

The canyon, created by the Colorado River over a period of 6 million years, is 277 miles (446 km) long, ranges in width from 4 to 18 miles (6.4 to 29 km) and attains a depth of more than a mile (1.6 km). Nearly two billion years of the Earth's history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted.

During prehistory, the area was inhabited by Native Americans who built settlements within the canyon and its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon ("Ongtupqa" in Hopi language) a holy site and made pilgrimages to it.

The first European known to have viewed the Grand Canyon was García López de Cárdenas from Spain, who arrived in 1540.

The Grand Canyon was largely unexplored until after the U.S. Civil War. In 1869, Major John Wesley Powell, a one-armed Civil War veteran with a thirst for science and adventure, made the first recorded journey through the canyon on the Colorado River. He accomplished this trek with nine men in four small wooden boats, though only six men completed the journey."

japiey, dareco, Atousa, zhelach, dip, Partha_c, pablominto, ChrisJ, evanrizo, cunejo200, Gerrit, Cretense, pasternak, Photo65Net, gunbud, edytungkal, Budapestman, John_F_Kennedy, noborders, MLINES, Charo, paura, siolaw, jhm, delic, feather, patdeph, Silvio1953, azaf1, JCG, pierrefonds, danos heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

gracious (20025) 2007-12-17 20:19

Hello Renier,
Wow, what a awesome view of the mighty Canyon!
excellent focal point to include very single detail
of this beautiful captured!
perfect sharpness, colour and details
very well done indeed and TFS
good useful notes with a great photo
cheers
Tony

Atousa (7131) 2007-12-17 20:36

Salam Renier,
Its a magnificent shot n beautiful place..I like the presence of people here ,gives good scale..thanks for the note .
Best wishes,
AtousA

Matthew-Watt (5934) 2007-12-17 20:39

Hello Renier,

A good image, plenty of great colours and textures to feed the eyes! The inclusion of the people on the rock tower indicates some scale to the immense landscape. It may have been nice to see less of this FG rock and see a greater percent of sky, but this may not have been possible from your perspective. I will prepare a workshop for you to promote some of the features of this photo.

Matt

zhelach (3626) 2007-12-17 21:09

Hello Renier!
Great shot! Beautiful place!
Nice red colors, details and composition! Bravo!
Tfs, regards, Zorica

dip (21408) 2007-12-17 21:28

Hi Renier,
impressive view!Very good POV and depth of field,excellent captured the place,good clarity and sharpness too,
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Partha_c (2029) 2007-12-17 21:32

Hi Renier. Beautiful shot of Grand Canyon. I visited the place during my brief halt at Colorado in 1997. Well taken with a good POV and DOF. Cropping the sky keeping to the barest minimum is a good decision to highlight the texture and tone. Regards.
Partha

bracasha75 (24591) 2007-12-17 22:41

Hello Renier
Just ,wonderful place for visiting and fantastic canyon...
Very good
TFS
Cheers,Braca

pablominto (53746) 2007-12-17 22:47

Hello Renier,
A well composed presentation, good placement of the viewpoint with the spectators!
The amazing colours are well reproduced, and the image has a fine feeling of depth!
Greetings,
Pablo -

wolf38 (30) 2007-12-17 23:24

Hello Renier. Another photo. The Gran Canyon. Again worth seeing in the double sense. The photo works by the visitors of the platform very alive. Outstanding. Best regards, Wolfgang.

Hellas (7123) 2007-12-17 23:44

As you said, this place is just awesome!
The rocky formation is gorgeous as well as the colour! Including the crowd was a great option. The light management is very good. Wonderful nature!
Thank you Renier for sharing.
Regards,
Athanasios.

japiey (10163) 2007-12-18 0:33

Hi Dear Renier,

Excellent capture of the Grand Canyon.
A live shot..
Fantastic.

Namasthe:)

jean paul

Bruno40 (6662) 2007-12-18 1:20

Renier,
Despite the harsh light, your POV and composition created a very good work here. You managed very well the light.
Good work
TFS
Jorge

jlbrthnn (76043) 2007-12-18 1:37

Hello To Renier,
It is an astonishing and vertiginous image. The refuge of the tourists seems quite fragile in front of this large panorama. Very good realization and of many details. Cheer.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

jasmis (58653) 2007-12-18 2:18

Wow, I feel vertigo here! Superb panoramic view with a crowd of people...
Regards.

evanrizo (462) 2007-12-18 3:46

Hi Renier
It looks sooo majestic, the 3d effect comes very good, the light-shadow play comes also very good.
TFS
Evangelos

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-12-18 4:44

Hello Ren,
What a magnificent view. I am glad you had time to visit the Grand Canyon. This was the first National Park I visited more than 20 years ago and took more than 20 rolls of film. I'd like to come back and re-shoot digitally. Best regards, Danilo

Gerrit (62042) 2007-12-18 4:53

Hi Renier,
impressive landscape but also funny, the crowd on that single rock.
Regards, Gerrit

jplebrun (21208) 2007-12-18 5:53

Hi Renier
ton cliché fait contraste avec le mien, on passe du froid et de la neige à la chaleur désrtique, belle composition ou le fait de laisser des gens sur cette escarpement donne bien l'idée de l'imensité du Grand Canyon, beau travail,
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

dareco (17136) 2007-12-18 6:40

Isn't this an awesome place to visit!?! I love it there! The colors and the scenery are fantastic. I hope you have more pictures from there to show us. This one is excellent. TFS

Cretense (68709) 2007-12-18 6:57

Hi Renier!

One of the most fascinating place in the whole planet captured in a brilliant way! Great framing and composition, fantastic POV and depth of field and blinding colours! Nice inclusion of the people! a breathtaking view. Congratulations!

Hercules

pasternak (15185) 2007-12-18 7:52

An impressive shot of a famous landmark, Renier, people covey a sense of scale here. although it still would be better if there were fewer of them but of course you can't control that. The light contrast between the fg and bg planes is pronounced.

Cheers
Alexander

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-12-18 10:20

Renier,
A great picture from this famous place.
Your idea to include people is clever, and of course your POV is superb, allowing to catch the beautiful canyon.
Great job,
Regards,
JB.

grigand (20290) 2007-12-18 12:46

Hi
A great view !! Excellent picture, I like a lot people in rock, well done.
Ciao
andrea

jonathan_hart (21276) 2007-12-18 14:23

what an amazing place isn't it ?
nice composition showing these tourists on this rock formation, with the BG, the depth is perfect :)
regards
jo

crckt (7222) 2007-12-18 15:51

Hi Renier,
wonderful shot of the canyons, beautiful colors and excellent composition.
regards
shaeri

gunbud (34066) 2007-12-18 18:44

Hi Renier,
You managed the strong light excellently giving clear crisp colors and excellent details to this famous landscape. Very informative note about this wonder of the world. Love the foreground shadows blue sky background.
Regards, Tom

edytungkal (4551) 2007-12-19 0:19

The pov is fantastic with so many people interested this amazing of Grand Canyon, just suggest to crop out the lack pale sky. Nevertheless it still a well done picture, thanks Renier

daniel

vincz (19113) 2007-12-19 0:45

Very majestic catch. I like very much the feeling of vertigo. Excellent quality and colours.

ChrisJ (171852) 2007-12-19 0:48

Hi Renier

The people add scale to this dramatic vista of the Grand Canyon. Good colour sharpness & pov. I like the symmetry, of the 2 balancing slabs of rock, in the centre. Tfs!

Budapestman (82620) 2007-12-19 1:14

Hi Renier,
Wow, What a fantastic shot. The POV is very impressive and the atmosphere is stunning. Great shot, Very well done! Have a nice day
George

Paolo (41258) 2007-12-19 1:16

Hi Renier, great one, i was there in that point some years ago!
excellent quality and wonderufl tones for this great view.
thansk, ciao

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-12-19 2:36

Impressive landscape. Beautiful image, good quality, excellent POV and good exposure too.
Best wishes,
Achim

jurek1951 (42198) 2007-12-19 2:57

Hi Renier,
Good capture of a very interesting subject.
Colours are natural. Composition and detail are excellent. Very Nicely Done
Georg

Nicou (193806) 2007-12-19 4:23

Hello,

mangigique cette roche, la couleur est slendidie, impressionnant la hauteur et ces plats au sommet, superbe.

Bravo et amitiés

Nicou

noborders (1010) 2007-12-19 5:30

Great idea, to shoot the shooters ! and still, you manage to give us an idea of the grandeur of the place : I like the framing that includes a bit of the valley too and the fine band of sky in the horizon...
Great, TFS and bravo !
Cheers,
Cath.

Scharan (14144) 2007-12-19 7:05

Olá Renier

Fantástico este cenário...cores, luzes, textura e o detalhe incrível de todas aquelas pessoas lá no alto!
Parabéns!
GA
Vera

UnTrained (0) 2007-12-19 7:20

Hi Renier,
it would be one of the countless and beautiful captures of the Grand Canyon without your crowd. But with them, just remarkable. Very nice front layer in good and strong light before that wide background. A bit more sky in a more square format, that is what I think would be also an alternative.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

MLINES (12516) 2007-12-19 13:48

Hi Renier. This is good as it shows the immense scale of this huge canyon. Usually we only bushes so this is very interesting. Excellent colours and notes. TFS. Murray.

Charo (51290) 2007-12-19 14:50

Hola Renier,
Excelente toma de este famoso y fotografíado cañón. Muy buen punto de vista con toda esa gente admirándolo lo que le da dinamismo a las rocas estáticas y mucha profundidad. Estupendos colores y resolución.
Cordialmente
Charo

paura (25802) 2007-12-19 15:12

Renier,
This is really a very beautiful alndscape. Your shot is very nice toshow to all us those incredible rock. Very well done.

Abraço

Paulo

Graal (103040) 2007-12-19 23:33

Hi Renier,
very nice view on the famous Grand Canyon, fine composition with the touristas on FG. Interesting note. Good work.
Gr., Aleksander

siolaw (38294) 2007-12-20 3:00

Hi Renier,
A great place to visit and you present it well with good light control and focus on the FG cliff, with textured BG and just a bit of sky.. looks nice!
Laurent

Clementi (52514) 2007-12-20 3:36

Ciao Renier,
Great shot! Beautiful place!
Superb panoramic view with a crowd of people.
good job
Giorgio

jhm (211736) 2007-12-20 4:46

Hello Renier,

Notwithstanding the lighting is the picture very well, I know not your camera, but maybe can you this regulate.
It's a very spectacular image with the people against teh edges of the ravine look it.
Composition and colours are very well.
Thanks for sharing.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
John.

Loic_bzh (7646) 2007-12-20 9:34

Hi Renier,

I think I would have prefered this photo w/o all that people. But in the other hand, it shows us how big are thos cliffs. Well a great shot with or whithout people!

Cheers,

Loïc

delic (6735) 2007-12-21 6:55

Hi Renier,
Group tours suck and this is the reason why. Still it is a good image considering the harsh light. I like the way you included people. A straight canyon shot would be pointless here if you know how the place looks in lateral light. You can increase contrast to make it look better. Regards,
Hakan

mursaloglu (8682) 2007-12-21 6:59

Dear renier
Stunning landscape picture with human elements inside. Your picture has such great elements in Ansel Adams style. Great job super ihsan
Happy new year and merry christmas

feather (51130) 2007-12-21 7:44

Taking the image with all the people in was a good idea. Although we all know the size is vast seeing the tiny people really hammers the message home. well done
Kath

patdeph (35750) 2007-12-21 8:02

hello Renier
this is a really impressive view to the canyon!The POV and the way you have framed are very good to to intensify the vertigo impression!The colours are superb,and the sharpness excellent ,we can see much details of the rocks.Majestic landscape!
Have a nice evening.
Pascale

efi (5303) 2007-12-21 23:53

hi renier;
table mountains and people on them..sharp and nice.effected me by the canyon feeling..depthness is great.colors are perfect.tfs.

Silvio1953 (221659) 2007-12-22 3:32

Hi Renier, classic and splendid view of grand Canyon with a lot of people, wonderful colors, very well done, have a great week end, ciao Silvio

azaf1 (15931) 2007-12-22 9:50

Hello Renier,
I suppose it is the most breath taking view of the area that I have ever seen. Great frame and the group of people give a real life comparison to estimate the proportion of things. Together with your not it is complete.
Congratulations and best wishes for Christmas and 2008
regards

Argiris

JCG (35153) 2007-12-23 2:27

Hi Renier,

The point of view is impressive on the Grand Canyon. This group of people gives a good scale of the landscape, they are vertiginous. I like much the depth of the image. Beautiful glance and thank you for the interesting note.

With all my friendships of Brittany and I wish you thus that with all your family a Merry Christmas,

Jean-Charles

pierrefonds (114494) 2007-12-23 5:09 [Comment]

Show Comment

Benedict (7076) 2007-12-25 9:22

a wonder shot of the eight wonder! have you been to the other grand canyon's skywalk?
malipayong pasko, Bai!
benedict

jaywalker (16105) 2007-12-31 12:26

Hi Renier, The Grand Canyon is a true wonder of the world & a place that took my breath away, you have captured it superbly, with excellent sharpness &, brilliant light, the people give a great prospective of scale, very well detailed &, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

Angshu (56760) 2008-01-01 1:39

Hello Renier
With the tourists on the left we get an idea of the massive scale of the landscape here. The colours are beautiful & I like the way you included a slice of the sky at the top. Good work!
Regards
Angshu
Wishing you & your family the very best for the New Year

danos (110407) 2008-01-02 2:53

Hello Renier,
fantastic the view of the Grant Canyon,with all these visitors to enjoy the spectacle.Excellent the geological layers of the opposite side of the Canyon and the shape of the rocks that exists the people.educational your note too.

Have a Happy New Year,Danos

Corry (4508) 2008-01-17 19:54

Superbe photo de cet endroit impressionnant. Les couleurs sont très belles.
Félicitations!
Yvon

jpphoto (465) 2008-03-31 7:41

Hello Renier ,
superbe prise de vue , ne pas avoir peur du vide , grandiose le canyon de tres belles couleurs A+ JP

livinitout (942) 2008-04-14 19:06 [Comment]

Show Comment