Delicate Arch Photo

Photographer’s Note

Delicate Arch has become an icon for Utah and is found on many licence plates. Ideally I should have taken the longer walk to photograph the arch from the other side especially with the late afternoon light however it was really hot and my wife was not up to it so I opted for the view from the other viewpoint. There were also many more people there to the left of the arch and there was no way I would get a shot without people in it. I used a 1.4 extender on my 70-200mm and this was as close as I could get.

PixelTerror, JCG, Gerrit, feather, mikolaj_kawa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

PixelTerror (87195) 2009-10-06 10:05

Hi Phil my today's gallery neighbour !
Great natural place, I have seen this arch several times already here, always worth a photo, a pov allowing for a good dynamic composition and the people show how big this is
have a nice day JY

HimalAnda (1076) 2009-10-06 10:08

Hello Phil,

The arch is cut on the left (you explain why in the note), but I like this original point of view.
I have already see many pictures of this place but yours is the most original. And I didn't guess the arch was so big before I see this picture.

Stéphane

JCG (25875) 2009-10-06 10:54

Hello Phil,

A good light on this photograph which emphasizes well this beautiful natural sculpture by giving him even more height thanks to the shade projected on the ground. I like much the balance of the image and the presence as of these tourists who bring a good scale on this splendid site. Thank you Phil.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

AROBN54 (10799) 2009-10-06 12:00

Great job of it, too, Phil. The color is sensational. Wonderful light and contrast, superb clarity, outstanding sharpness and detail. I even like the people in it to give a sense of scale and I like the composition and cropping. That's just a great shot! Many thanks and warmest regards,
Shelly

Silvio1953 (43412) 2009-10-06 12:19

Ciao Phil, great view of splendid arch with wonderful colors, fantastic monument of nature, very well done, ciao Silvio

PaulVDV (5451) 2009-10-06 14:01

Hello Phil,
I remember that sometimes I have been waiting a very long time to take a picture because too much tourists hang around the monument or whatever I like to shoot. And sometimes I end up with a photo with even more people on it because I waited too long :)
But then I see other pictures where the people on it make the photo a little more interesting.
That's the case with this picture with a dozen visitors spread over the landscape.
And it's a fantastic landscape with the natural arch and the rocks on the background, all in just one colour.
Best regards, Paul

Gerrit (36553) 2009-10-07 1:43

Hi Phil,
wonderful statue of nature.
Good to see the people for the scale. Great warm light and colours,
regards. Gerrit

feather (50560) 2009-10-07 2:40

It would probably be too dark to take a photo if you waited for no people here. In any case there aren't too many and they do give the scale of this amazing arch. You were probably there roughly the same time as us only a year later. I know how difficult the light is and you have done a great job making it appear less harsh than it no doubt was.
Kath

ecmel (482) 2009-10-07 3:01

Hello Phil,
You composed very well this fragile sandstone landscape. Late afternoon lights gives a rich orange glows and shades on the topography.I think people around give a good reference point about the size of the arch.
Regards,
Ecmel

baba_flies (8191) 2009-10-07 3:52

Hello Phil! A fascinating place to visit, I have been there myself this summer. We took the long hike, I guess, yes we did, looking down but I find this view interesting too, actually somehow I prefer it to the photos I have. I was also a little scared to fall down :))) Oh yes a lot of people visiting the arch, there are actually so many more but for this you need another car, certainly not a street car. Good photo, always worth some "suffering", despite the heat (I was complaining too ... LOL). Have a good day, Barbara.

mkamionka (5028) 2009-10-07 6:29

Hi Phil,
never too much of the classics.
In a month I intend to go there as well.
TFS
M

plimrn (19872) 2009-10-07 16:24

Hi Phil,
In spite of your, "I could have done better," you got nice detail and color in thes well-framed composition; the people in the FG really emphasize the size of the arch. I can relate to heat avoidance!! I also can see that you really got around on your trip.
HLJ, Pat

mikolaj_kawa (31889) 2009-10-29 0:29

Hello Phil! Wonderful landscape. Amazing arch. Excellent colours. Good saturation. Very good POV and capture. Ideal frame. Good contrast. Well done!