Utah Badlands Photo

Photographer’s Note

I have driven US 89 between Kanab & Page many times but had never visited the area around Big Water before. This is a couple of miles north along the Smokey Mountain Road. The area is a mixture of rocks & dirt with very little vegetation, Utah's own version of Oregon's Painted Hills.

I am told that the black color comes from the abundant coal found in the area. The area got its name from an underground coal fire that has been burning for a hundred years or so. Sometimes the smoke can be seen rising from the ground. The Smokey Mountain Road traverses one of the Lower 48’s most remote regions. It was also the last place in the continental United States to be mapped.

Ola_Kwiatek has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

aadilj (17950) 2009-05-29 5:28

This is lovely and very well captured Allan with the natural hues and textures merging so well to form a painting like effect

smarcell (14045) 2009-05-29 5:48

The fantastic colors of the west of the USA.
Nice polarized sky
Regards Stefano

Fransx (1453) 2009-05-29 6:07

Hello Allan,
A beautiful mountain view adorned with splendid lighting and sharpness.
Nice color tones of the rocks topped with a beautiful sky.
A nice composition!
Well done.

Francis Xavier

Ola_Kwiatek (2216) 2009-05-29 6:27

Amazing landscape, amazing mountains. Nice colors. Good take.
Cheers

photoray (1174) 2009-06-30 18:07

Hi Allan,

Good contrast between the typical Utah red sandstone and the dark colored rock and details.

Good job,
Ray

azleader (6) 2009-08-10 9:34

Hi Allan... this is a terrific shot of the tropic shale at Big Water. Nicely processed.

I spent a great deal of time in that area back in June and am going back down again tonight for a couple more weeks of imaging. I photographed a number of hoodoos at the base of that formation. :)

If you stopped at the BLM visitor center at Big Water you may have got to talk with Merle Griffam. He has found the fossils of 12 plesiosaur dinosaurs in this area.

speedymanu (1580) 2009-09-08 13:47

hi Allan

great light in this composition which renders the grandiose aspect of this site. You've managed to emphasized the depth feeling in your framing.

Regards

Emmanuel

guillaumejm (9020) 2009-09-08 13:49

hello allan
Wonderfull picture. So sharp, so clear. incredible colours. look like a drawing in a science fiction comics.
really great, sincerily.
Best regards
JMarc