First Light II, a photo from Utah, West

Photographer's Note

Location: This is Landscape Arch in Arches National Park, Utah. A short hike is required to reach this arch, but it's an easy 15-minute hike on relatively flat ground. . If you like cute little bunnies then this is the hike for you. Both times I hiked to this arch I saw about a million little Cotton Tailed rabbits like this one I have posted in a WS.

About the Photo: This shot was taken during sunrise, about 15 seconds after the first rays of sun starting illuminating the arch. This very dark orange only lasted about a minute, and then the sun was too bright

Wide angle lens?I realized while taking this shot that I need a wider angled lens. My old 24-70mm lens was perfect for shooting film, but I could barely fit the arch in the frame now that I'm shooting digital. Any recommendations on a good lens? I'm thinking about the Sigma 10-20mm.

jammer79, Floydian, tjanze, Jeppe oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

jammer79 (2722) 2006-05-31 18:40

Hi Ryan, perfect shot. great colours and light conditions.
Tip top technical quality.
WEll done.
Cheers, R.

jmdias (114262) 2006-05-31 18:52

Ryan

Nice photo but I think it is so red and other hot colors. Jorge

Gari (251) 2006-05-31 19:10

Hola Ryan.Muy curioso lugar y colores.Bonita sombra y contraste con el cielo.Gracias.Saludos.

dHitman (0) 2006-06-01 0:17

Hi Ryan,
Lovely composition and well framed. Love the vivid colors and contrast. Excellent lightings condition too. TFS!
Regards, Jino

p/s: You may want to check out the Tokina AT-X Pro 12-24mm f4 lens. I have been using it for the last 2 months and I love it. Better then my previous EF-S 10-22mm and EF17-40mm. If you need more info feel free to email me :)

Floydian (30970) 2006-06-01 3:27

Hi Ryan,
Yes your right, it needs wider, much wider. The arch is very tight inside the frame. But the light is excellent, you have a good eye for that.
Thought about the Canon 16-35m/m 2.8L?
Yes i know, is expensive, but you are used to the high quality of the L lenses, so please stick to that. Our 24-70m/m 2.8L is famous for his high quality, you would be dissapointed when attaching a simple wide angle to it.
All those so called wide angle lenses starting from 10 or 12 m/m is no good imho.
I tried the Sigma 10-20m/m. What a complete disaster. For sure not made for my 1.3 sensor, but mayde it works better on a 1.6 sensor. And it seems (never tested it) that tha other Sigma 12-24m/m seems to bee better.
I will stick to my good old 17-35m/m 2.8L. That one will do for my 1.3 sensor.
Canon also got the 14m/m, but very expensive.
I would go for the 16-35m/m for sure..!!!
Regards, Henk

luisafonso (862) 2006-06-01 3:44

Wonderful light. Wonderful composition. I love how the arch just breaks the blue of the sky. Love its shadow too. Very good sharpness from foreground to infinite. Love it!

I own the Sigma 10-20. I really like it. You can check my landscape pictures. Almost all of them where taken with this lens. Search for a web review, there are some available that are very complete. I bought mine based on this one here: "http://www.ephotozine.com/equipment/tests/testdetail.cfm?test_id=362"

tjanze (5674) 2006-06-01 3:46

Hi Ryan!
Beautiful part of nature.Lovely light and good composition.Colors are fantastic. Regards!

fallan (1860) 2006-06-01 10:46

I don't know... I like the tighter framing. For those who haven't been in southern Utah, it is hard to believe how red the rock can get when the sun is low. Only way I could see to improve the photo would be to go back when there are some clouds. Even so, the clear sky works well to portray the starkness of the area.

With this subject you could have turned your camera to portrait, taken three or four photos and then stitched them together. With the lens you have the detail would be amazing.

Jeppe (18654) 2006-06-08 12:16

Hi Ryan
I can reconize that first sunlight with it red tones -beautiful indeed - and amazing sight as well - this artwork of nature.
Thanks for he cute ws as well - I normally only see a few of those around here.
Thanks for sharing - fine jobs.
Jeppe

Angshu (56760) 2006-07-03 5:32

Lovely composition Ryan and well framed....I love the colors and contrast. Excellent light you've captured here. I simply like the contrast with the blue sky, which is so striking!
Regards
Angshu

cdmonson (5304) 2006-11-25 14:40

This is a better shot than I think you've been given credit, Ryan. If you've been to Landscape Arch, you know that it's not the easiest of the arches in the park to get a great shot of--certainly much harder than Delicate or Double Arch. The lighting is perfect, as are the colors--they're vibrant, but they look real. I think a wider angle lens would have helped, but it's still a fabulous shot. Great job.

Clark