Bret is the third featured photographer in my series on Topophilia, finding your sense of place in the canyons of southern Utah.

As I mentioned in a previous post, one of the reasons photographers seem drawn to southern Utah because of the solitude.  According to the US census department, the population density in San Juan County, Utah in 2000 was 1.8 people/square mile.   Parts of southern Utah have some of the darkest night skies in North America.  So, that solitude isn’t an illusion–you really can be the only person for miles.

One of the reasons I admire Bret Edge’s photography so much is that he has a knack for capturing that  vast solitude without making you feel lonely.  A look through his portfolio has many images that interpret the expansive landscapes of southern Utah in a very real and tangible way.

I first met Bret late in 2008 through interactions on Naturescapes.net; he offered a ton of helpful advice as my wife and I planned a short trip to Moab after Christmas.   Since then, I’ve appreciated his honest, thoughtful and constructive feedback on my own and other photographers’ images.  Although not a Utah native, Bret has the pleasure of living in Moab, and by his own confession, he is practically addicted to the area.  He and his wife moved there almost 4 years ago, and have embraced the landscape (he proposed to his wife under Delicate Arch!)…and its embraced them.  Bret says, “Funny how Moab and the Southwest just kind of grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go.”

From his home base in Moab, Bret offers dynamic workshops and photo tours (which you can read about here) in the Moab area and beyond.   In addition to registering for one of his workshops, make sure to subscribe to his blog for trip reports, new images, gear reviews and workshop updates.

Canyonlands Sunrise by Bret Edge (used with permission)