The Bend Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

There are many Horse Shoe Bend images here, there is really not much you can do differently. there is only one POV because if you’re not at the exactly this location, you will not see the whole bend, so everyone has the same composition. The only difference is the weather and light condition. The best time to take this photo is actually in the middle of daytime, when the light shine into the canyon, not when sunrise or sunset. A cloudy morning is also a good time. This shot is take at around 1:00 P.M. Well most people have it in horizontal format, so I’ll show you a portrait format.
My advice on taking photos of Horse Shoe Bend, you must not have fear of height and willing to get dirty. First you choose a safe spot, lay flat on your stomach, slowly nudge over the cliff with your head and shoulder and camera sticky out on the rim, (You must have wide angle lens or you will have to take two shots and stitch them.) When you are done, do not stand up right away in case you lose your balance because you may get dizzy looking down, sit up, move away from the cliff and then slowly stand up and have someone near to hold you.
f/9
1/160s
Lens 17mm

Little bit about the place.
Horseshoe Bend is the name for a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona, in the United States. It is located slightly downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, about four miles or 6 km south of Page. Accessible via a 3⁄4-mile (1.2 km) hike from U.S. Route 89, it can be viewed from the steep cliff above. According to Google terrain maps, the overlook is 4200 feet above sea level and the Colorado River is at 3200 feet above sea level making it a breath taking 1000 foot drop.

phwall, Angshu, PixelTerror, mkamionka, holmertz, brano14, subhendu_bagchi, feather, magalik, Philippe, cherryripe, yedirenk, ChrisJ, thaimadathil, TravelerNL, Wandering_Dan, shevchenko, jhm, Bluejeans, adores, BelCan75, Kielia, Sistercosmo, sonkai has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

emka (21261) 2009-10-12 23:56

Hi Way,
Classic shot but it is always very immpressive to see. A nd I missed this view! I haven't read my guidebook carefully :). But after reading your note i see it is not place for me. I certainly wouldn't lay flat on my stomach, with my head and shoulder and camera sticky out on the rim!!I have fear of height, I can't even think about it. I have nothing against being dirty ;)
The bends in Canyonland are maybe less impressive and not so famous but I like them very much.
fantastic colour of Colorado.
warm regards

Maggie

barrufeto_77 (25719) 2009-10-12 23:57

Hi Way.

A classical, but always nice, view. The shape of the river and the mountain are...impressive.

Well done!

pablominto (40508) 2009-10-13 0:02

Hello Way,

A classic!
But of course you can't go there with a camera without securing your version...
And it is fine version, colours and details are top shelf and I'm impressed by what you get out of 17 mm..!

Greetings,
Pablo -

lamentforicarus (385) 2009-10-13 0:10

Beautiful shot, Way,

Fantastic presentation of one of the West's most amazing natural splendors. Wonderful symmetry, color quality, and sharpness. Your timing is perfect too, capturing "the bend" on a sunny day when the light is most conducive! Well done and thanks for sharing.

*Just a small side note - this is Horseshoe Bend in Arizona, not Utah.

Regards,

Brian

pajaran (2980) 2009-10-13 0:26

Pozdrav iz kisovite Cuprije.
Mocan kanjon ...
Dobra kompozicija, dobre boje i trenutak snimka.
Mnogo lepo, uzivanje je gledati.
Neka novi dan bude bolji, Paja.

phwall (5546) 2009-10-13 0:30

Hello Way,
Each photographer of this fantastic location seems to put their own stamp on this marvelous scene, and so it is for you my friend.
I can see your impeccable framing, your superb use of just the right lens, your wonderful composition and of course your post skills in bringing the image to life.
A marvelous effort, I wish I could think of a few more superlatives to congratulate you with.
A very beautiful shot.
Warm wishes
Peter

pauloog (6426) 2009-10-13 0:41

Hello Way,
Not the first photo indeed on this site but it remains a fabulous view, well captured i nthsi vertical format and with beautiful colours.
Regards,
Paul

PixelTerror (86058) 2009-10-13 1:52

Hi Way
I see you made it very close to the cliff edge to get the full curve, a nice result with the river contrasting strongly against the warm rocks
Have a nice day JY

mariani_josep (352) 2009-10-13 2:21

Hi Lim

Beautiful picture, the composition is perfect..
Good lighting and sharp

TFS
MJ

mkamionka (4338) 2009-10-13 2:26

Hi,
you did a great job here. I like the flowers in the foreground -this is what makes your shot original. Everybody struggles to fit the whole scene into the frame and you caught some pretty foreground as well.
I do plan to be in this place in about a month but I am scared of heights so I guess I won't be able to take a decent shot...
TFS
M

abulafia (4802) 2009-10-13 2:36

Your right Way

I have seen this view a few times before, and always very impressive.

You have great contrast in this one and very saturated colors.

Hard to find any flaws:)
Harry

delpeoples (5892) 2009-10-13 2:37

Hi Way, you're right about there being many photos of this site. However, they differ in quality. Yours is excellent, beautifully tones, exposed and composed. I like the vertical frame and the inclusion of the desert plants in the FG. The beautiful ochre tones against the green water is just magnificent. TFS and have a wonderful week, Lisa.

npecanhuk (13713) 2009-10-13 3:00

Hello Way!
That place is magnificent and your photograph is excellent!
Vertical format, pov, sharpness, exposure, dof and colors couldn't be a bit better: they're perfect, I mean! The composition is simple, but quite effective and truly attractive!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

dkeus31 (26154) 2009-10-13 3:22

Hi Way
a classic, but perfectly composed with the foreground plant and the good light
well done
didier

holmertz (9586) 2009-10-13 3:31

Hello Way,
Yes of course I have seen this before, but it is an eternally fascinating place. I almost enjoy your note more than the photo. It's a hard life taking good pictures.
Kindest regards,
Gert

hardyuno (2139) 2009-10-13 3:55

Hi Way,
thanks a lot for showing this impressive image. After reading your information it is clear for me that i will never take this picture by myself, i'm very fearful of the height.
Your exposure and the colours are very good, the POV vertical, too.
Have a nice week
Hartmut

Greg1949 (8507) 2009-10-13 4:46

way, firstly your note is worth the read, it is good advice. Since I have not yet been there the note puts it in perspective. In addition to the time of day I imagine that different times of the year there would be more or less green in the water. Your shot is awesome all the same, great work.

Greg

brano14 (1870) 2009-10-13 4:56

Hello Way,
Even you do not have many chances, to do it differently, you did very good job.Maybe those flowers helped?
But the best part are your colors, very rich, the whole image is very clear and sharp.
Thanks!
Brano

ktanska (16530) 2009-10-13 5:01

Hi Way,
Spectacular place. I've liked all pictures taken from this point, and yours too. Maybe vertical framing makes this even more impressive.
Kari

Bartleby (4830) 2009-10-13 6:49

Thanks for the tip Way,
I definitely intend to get a shot at this one day! So I'll try and keep your advice in mind. It's true I was surprised by the veritcal format as all the shots from this place are the other way round. I think it's quite interesting this way too. Did you shoot with a 10-20 or more?

Best,

Philippe

subhendu_bagchi (2997) 2009-10-13 6:57

Hi Way,
a marvellous shot with vertical format. Nice colours and light. A well known place presented nicely with neatness. The bend looks great through this point of view. Though you right there is only this point of view available for the scenery. Very good photo job. Tfs.
Have a nice time.
Subhendu

feather (49858) 2009-10-13 7:02

I'm very impressed with this image as most people struggle to get the whole width in landscape format. Not only have you got the width in portrait format, but it also allows you to show more foreground and more sky, so the whole image doesn't appear so cramped. I don't know if you have seen this, which is in the WS of one of Nikki Francis' (cherryripe) posts. it demonstrates the technique of taking Horseshoe Bend very well.
Kath

chawax (5941) 2009-10-13 7:17

Hi Way,
I would love to visit this area of USA one day, the landscapes look really incredible ! The POV here gives us vertigo, it makes us feel how deep this canyon is ! The colours are excellent, as the sharpness is. TFS.
Olivier

carper (64638) 2009-10-13 10:49

a favourite place from a lot people here on trekearth Way.
you made a fine shot of it, good balance, good contrast, fine composition, a pleasure too look at, good photo job.
have a nice day.
regard jaap

magalik (1296) 2009-10-13 10:55

Splendid new one Way !
Even if it's a classical view of this place, I have never seen it and it's a great discovery for me.
Very impressive landscape !
All is perfect in your photo : portrait format with the plant on the foreground, natural and beautiful colors, perfect sharpness and DOF. What also impress me is that you could approach as much the chasm ! It' necessary not to have the giddiness ! It's not for me !!
Thank you very much for this really impressive shot and your note which is always interesting. It's very pleasant to see notes as clearfully as yours.
Have a good day.
All the best,
Magali

Philippe (11771) 2009-10-13 12:24

Hi, Way. As you say, this is a classic. But anyway you've exposed the photo particularly well, which gives good contrasts and excellent colours. the flower in the foreground also gives a good depth to the picture. Thanks for the advice too ;o).
Have a nice day,
Philippe

yquem46 (7842) 2009-10-13 12:30

Hi way
yes definitely a classic but where i've never been ! I was at goose neck which is not far (Monument valley, valley of the gods)and very similar but far less colorful. The river is brown and muddy. It has certainly its own charm but but this one is definitely better
By the way your shot is somptuous!
regards
patrick

patdeph (17748) 2009-10-13 12:30

hello Way
I've seen this view a few times on TE,but I have to say that your colors are among the most beautiful!The contrast between the green river and trees and the red mountains is really splendid,and there is an exeptional beautiful light to enhance the beauty of this fantastic landscape!Wonderfuil!
Regards
Pascale

cherryripe (18931) 2009-10-13 12:47

Hi Way
You had a beautiful day at this place and the blue sky contrasts so nicely with the red rock and green water. What amazes me here is that you managed to include all the river with a vertical format. The sharpness is perfect.
Regards
Nikki

zanzi (4504) 2009-10-13 12:51

Hi Way
You almost had a foot over the top here...
Great place that reminds me the pictures of Nikki and Toni posted a few weeks ago.
Colors are perfectly saturated ;-)
Bravo
Chris

baba_flies (7969) 2009-10-13 15:00

Hello Way! I AM afraid of heights but I try to fight it these days and find new limits. Wonderful quality in this picture, love the little bush in your foreground and again I wonder how it grows in this kind of environment but it found a good source. It IS an amzing place no matter how many versions we get as each is a little different, the light makes it all happen ... as always. Nevertheless, I am glad you tried this picture, sounds like a real adventure :))) Have a good night, mine comes closer ... nearly midnight ... Barbara.

plimrn (19602) 2009-10-13 16:17

Hi Way,
The vertical format has particularly nice balance. I appreciate the good tips for photographing this area;
although your note convinced me; my pictures won't be added to this collection. I would have saved myself a lot of time when I went to photograph some falls. Larry said he was too late with the light so I decided to go early, 7:30 am. The light ended up being good about 15 minutes before he was there (10:45am).
HLJ, Pat

yedirenk (7287) 2009-10-13 18:55

Hi Way,
this one is extraordinary scene with emerald river and perfect red tones..view angle,sharpness,vertical format and depth are incredible..superb rich textures and details..very impressive shot..amazing presentation..tfs
Best Regards

Cevdet

ChrisJ (70125) 2009-10-14 9:23

Hi Way

You did just fine here. I would have liked to have gone to Sedona & Page as well as the Grand Canyon, but it was not to be. Nice to see what I missed through your lens. A stunning eagles eye view on the meander, with perfect sharpness & color. Tfs!

ManuMay (10704) 2009-10-14 9:29

Hi Way!

Absolutely wonderful, great point of view and excellent colours of this place, a real nature wonder...thanks for bring it to us!!

Have a nice day...

Manuel

thaimadathil (20) 2009-10-14 10:03

Hi Way,

This is an amazing shot from Grand Canyons. Red, green and blue gives good contrasting color combination. Your elaborate explanation about the location, desiarable time to visit and advice on taking the horse shoe bend photo would immensely help others who would explore this region in future.

I have a small suggestion about the picture. I felt that cropping the bush in the foreground would have given more focus to the subject. You may be having other ideas for keeping the bush though. Is it to provide a feel of the depth or for giving a balance to the picture?

Even though there are many wonderful places to visit in US, Grand Canyons and Niagara falls are the places I have always dreamt of visiting. My only visit to US was for a very short period and I could not make it to these places at that time. Hopefully my dreams would come true next time.

Regards
Manu

sacimar (7381) 2009-10-14 10:05

Hi Way,

wow! wonderful picture! the perspective with the river is fantastic, colours are beautiful and light management is perfect, congratulations!

Best regards

Sergio

TravelerNL (2951) 2009-10-14 12:31

Hi Way,
A beautiful one!
Very good colors, light management and sharpness.
You wrote it is a standard compo, it is a very nice one nevertheless.
It is a real pleasure to watch your photo with the mixture of red and green colors.
Well done!
Harko

gneufeld (15169) 2009-10-14 16:00

Hi Way,
Classic perhaps, but few that I have seen are better than this one. The vertical perspective works very well and your description is perfect. I have to say of few places I have visited, this one intimidated me - I did not have the nerve to do what you did to get this shot. Great light, contrasts and colors. tFS. Gerald

Wandering_Dan (3213) 2009-10-14 20:41

Hi, Way -

A well-done version of this classic. You may say they all look the same, but I don't recall any others with the water that green before. And the choice of portrait was a good one.

And excellent advice on how to shoot this scene!

Best,
Dan

bracasha75 (22017) 2009-10-14 22:02

Hello Way
So beautiful view on the Canyon and very clear and sharp picture
Without mistake
Excellent
Cheers,Braca

shevchenko (9872) 2009-10-14 23:58

Hi Way,
Beautiful photo at early afternoon without too much shadow, the geographical features become prominent at this moment, good intensive of color to show the unique landscape, well done.
Ally

jhm (82319) 2009-10-15 3:17

Hello Way,

I saw more picture about these bend, but this is the first time that I see these splendid colours.
Classic shot but it is always very immpressive to see again.
Very well panorama picture, pleasant for look at.
Nice composition, real colour, excellent captured, TFS.

Regards,
John.

Bluejeans (32083) 2009-10-15 10:30

Ola Way ,
Bem famoso este lugar conhecido aqui no TE , as cores estão magnificas com um bom contraste entre si , muito bonitos os detalhes , bom uso da foto na vertical , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

cd70 (709) 2009-10-15 15:04

Hi Way,
Là c'est splendide, il n'y a pas grand choses à dire, juste se taire et contempler....

sothy81 (8520) 2009-10-15 15:07

HI Way, I must say this is a super nice shot. I love the colors and the frame. Your 17mm is just so great for this type of shot. Very well done. Sothy

adores (15487) 2009-10-15 16:38

Hi Way!
I see you keep posting photos of this icredible landscape. This pov is really great and the green colour of the water is fabulous here. Even the little plant in foreground is very well placed. Colours and sharpness are perfect! Really good shot!

BelCan75 (2418) 2009-10-15 20:09

Hello Way,

What a beautiful shot. I love the vertical composition as it creates a lot of depth. Great light, beautiful colours and details. Excellent work!

Greetings,
Ann

Kielia (8401) 2009-10-17 1:27

Hello Way,
this is what I like here so much; having the opportunity to compare so many different versions of one place and reading exciting notes like this one! This bend is a classic in every sense and you show it in a very dramatic and impressive way, the format you have chosen is excellent. One can even see that mother nature has provided the rock with a face!
Colors and light are perfect. Outstanding work!
Warm regards
Harriet

Sistercosmo (2573) 2009-10-17 5:31

Hi Way,

ah, a classic pov! I've been there too, but I didn't go quite that far out.... I think this is one of the few shots I've seen without boats on the river.

You were fortunate to have such a great sky and those clouds. Great shot!

Take good care,
Linda

eversmile (6045) 2009-10-18 0:50

Hi Way

I think you have been quite audacious if I can believe the POV! Not frightened to choose a daredevil position, to offer us this spectacular vision. The composition is very good, with the little bush in front, and the famous but yet never deceiving panorama of the Horse Shoe Bend. The light is beautiful and the colors are striking, well saturated. The view on the full loop (and even further more) is excellent ... So, your choice of a vertical format is profitable.
Congratulations!
Regards
Marine

jonathan_hart (22570) 2009-10-19 3:12

it's a classic, so i just can judge the colors and the exposure, it's all fine
the POV is, of course, gorgeous
jc

Angshu (33607) 2009-10-20 0:29

Sabaidee Way
A while back, I commented on Emka's good humoured picture from the same place, where she'd drawn reference to your picture and could not but smile again! This is a classic POV, but one of the rare ones I've seen which is in the portrait format. The image is without a doubt mightily impressive, and I also like the fact how you're able to show more of the FG and the precarious drop and the fine blue sky, in addition to the main subject - the bend, which is rightfully taking the centre-stage in the frame. Great work!
Best Regards
Angshu

sonkai (1017) 2009-10-21 10:41

WOW
Impressive view,seriously,I'm always astonished about nature preferences and plans,I think that trajectory couldn`t be thought by anybody..
Beautiful colors and perfect sharpness,really a good image to dream.
Best whishes,
Sonsoles

jemaflor (39259) 2009-10-26 13:07

Hi Way,
Wonderful pov, your shot is very well managed, perfect light and colors, great and great, bravo !

InasiaJones (20060) 2009-10-28 1:23

Hi Way,

Good light condition for this landmark, making colours coming out strong and bold.

Very sharp and clear shot through and through. A classic for good reasons.

Cheers!

André

wolf38 (12728) 2009-10-30 1:18

Hi Way. What a fantastic photo. It shows one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Composition, light, colors, etc. are best. Overall, a masterful photograph of excellent technical quality. Compliment. Best regards, Wolfgang.

janusz2054 (811) 2009-11-11 11:50

Hi Way
Great point of view of this canyon.
Excellent composition.
Fantastic colours the rocks and green river very nice framing.Very beautiful shot.
Regards
Janusz