I remember my first visit to Zion National Park as a teenager, on spring break, with my parents. It was one of the only trips we took as a family that was a vacation for vacation’s sake. All other car trips to that point had been to visit family in Wyoming or Nebraska. I have to admit it felt odd to be on a vacation with my parents! But, the massive sandstone cliffs and buttresses left me nothing less than floored, making me quickly forget about the awkwardness of “being seen” with my parents.
Since then, I’ve returned to Zion several times; I’ve hiked the entire length of the Narrows, the classic Virgin River hike, and I’ve been through many of the technical slot canyons in the park. I feel privileged to have seen parts of the park that <1% of its visitors get to experience. Most recently, I’ve returned to Zion with my own family, sharing its serenity and sanctuary with them.
Like all heavily photographed areas, Zion has its own repertoire of icons: the Towers of the Virgin, the Narrows, Court of the Patriarchs, the Subway. Moving past these locations, though, I have consistently found it very difficult to make a compelling image in the midst of the breathtaking beauty. I should qualify that statement: I find it difficult to make an image that makes me stop and say, “Wow, that’s awesome!”
On our most recent trip to the park, I focused on the intimate details. Autumn is in its final throes in Zion Canyon right now, with most of the cottonwoods and maples half-naked, ready for their hibernation. Three weeks ago, this place was crawling with photographers, I’m sure, now these trees have been all but forgotten about. Still, I find a certain beauty in these vestiges of fall.
Autumn's final vestiges, November 2011
Hanging on, November 2011
Early morning is my favorite time to be in Zion Canyon; deer are peacefully grazing, turkey are out, and the chill is still in the air because the sun hasn’t penetrated the depths of the canyon yet. There’s often a breeze blowing, almost as if the canyon is starting fresh every day. As the cliffs begin to greet the sun, the light reflects on to the river, giving it a wonderful tonality.
Cascade, November 2011
I welcomed Zion into my heart and mind years ago. The fight I have with the place is that I haven’t–until recently–let it drive my creativity. I’ve been trying to force the park to reveal itself to me in ways it isn’t ready to do. Letting go of the notions I held on to let me see in a different way, making images I never expected to make, but am happy with. I will continue making my yearly pilgrimages to the park; I look forward to seeing how the canyon reveals itself to me next time…and I’m grateful my son is years away from that stage of not wanting to be seen with me. 🙂
Fall mornings are wonderful in Zion Canyon, even if there are a flock of photographers moving amongst the flocks of turkeys. 🙂
Good point, Gary! I’m still not sure which flock I belong to–the turkeys or the photographers!
Great post Greg and I can relate to so much of it. The quiet mornings in the canyon before the crowds is such a special time in Zion as is seeking out those small details that hold their own against the icons.
And sharing those moments with our children is such a foundation in their lives. True, they do go through a phase where “hanging” with you is not cool, but thankfully my daughter (now 23) is coming full circle back to appreciating those early years and once again wanting to explore all that nature has to offer.
I think I came around when I was about 23 as well, Russ–suddenly my parents became pretty “cool” again. Funny how time changes our perspectives, huh?
Thanks for commenting, I’m glad you can relate!
Good stuff. To me, the best photos come from getting familiar with a place (wherever it may be), tuning in to it, letting it reveal itself, and being ready for what it has to offer without preconceived ideas about what you ‘should’ be photographing. Looks like you’ve done that quite well with Zion. Other places too for that matter.
Agreed completely, PJ. Getting to know a place is so much more satisfying than shooting what someone else has said is appropriate.
Wonderful post and images Gary. I have wanted to go to Zion for many years and I am planning on going through there next spring. Now I’m looking forward to it even more!
You’ll love it, Anne! Can’t wait to see your images.
Beautiful sentiments and images, Greg (or Gary?!). I know what you mean about being awkward about being with your parents, then later they become cool again. At 54 I feel I have now turned into my own father and it isn’t that bad after all!!
Haha…yeah, I like thinking that everyone confuses me for Gary Crabbe, because (believe it or not) this isn’t the first time someone has called me Gary. I take it as a compliment.
I definitely see many of my dad’s sayings and mannerisms coming through in my own interactions with my son. Funny how that works, huh? 🙂
I appreciate your comment, Andrew.
And not surprisingly, the guy that would turn out to be my best friend in 10th grade (we sat next to each other in Biology class) called me Greg for about three weeks until I finally corrected him. Still to this day, don’t know why I waited so long to tell him, but it was pretty funny.
Very nice images, Greg, and I especially like that waterscape. My experience has been that those are much more difficult to pull off than seems right.
I find that sometimes I really have to force myself to shift gears into intimate mode, but it tends to pay off. I was getting pretty frustrated this summer trying to shoot grand landscapes up on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. They’re there, but the comps don’t come easy. But upon reflection, a lot of my strongest Idaho shots this summer turned out to be intimates, and they often do a better job of capturing the je ne sais quoi of the area than the bigger views.
I didn’t realize how much “intimate” work I do until I started selecting images for my website redesign a few weeks ago, and found that I do indeed often look for more intimate views, rather than the broader landscape.
I completely agree with you about the perceived versus realized ease of pulling off waterscapes. I took about 3 dozen frames of this little riffle, finally selecting one that had all the elements in the right places…
When I think of your work, intimate comps definitely come to mind, Greg. In my own work, I guess I like them because they’re almost never something I pre-visualize; instead, they feel like happy discoveries.
Beautiful work, Greg. I especially like the delicate beauty of the first. I have never been to Zion but we are thinking about a trip to the southwest. I think I would like to come when there is snow – maybe next winter.
Sharon
Thanks so much, Sharon! Winter is a wonderfully peaceful time to travel in the Southwest…snow really adds to the beauty of the place, and visitation is much lower. Feel free to pick my brain as you begin to make travel plans!
I like what you said about making images you didn’t expect to. Those you have posted here have a fresh different look, but also have some of the southwest charm that we love to see as well. I must compliment you on your new banner image too. It does a lot for the site.
Thanks, David, for the comment, and the compliment on the banner image…it worked out pretty well I think too!
This is a great post, Greg. Yours usually are. 🙂 But as the comments show, there are so many different aspects to like. Becoming intimate with a place or subject is key, I believe, to truly showing its magnificence. While I don’t necessarily have a problem with “Icon” images(providing they are done with an original vision and not just a copy of someone else’s image), the true beauty of a location often is found in the intimate details and unseen places and you have shown and expressed that quite well.
I also have to say that you are definitely causing me to save faster for a trip out there. 🙂
I really like the two canyon wall and foliage shots but, as you might guess, the cascade is my favorite with the great division in color and you have frozen the water’s motion for a superb effect.
And if you play your cards right, Owen just might figure out you’re his best friend ahead of the game. 🙂
This is a really insightful comment, Steve! I appreciate it. I do believe that being intimate with a place gives you insights into its nuances. With luck, that familiarity shoes through the photographs.
I figured you’d like the cascade a lot. I have to admit that I almost wrote you an email asking for advice before my trip, knowing how good your water images always are…