Return to Delicate Arch

Here's one last image of Delicate Arch. In the sky above is the Moon and Jupiter (probably).

When setting up for this shot, I didn't have a lot of light. A long exposure would have exposed more of the foreground, but too long would cause the Moon and Jupiter to become elongated (due to the Earth's rotation). A shorter exposure might have lost Jupiter, but exposed the moon better. It’s a tricky exposure problem capture both the foreground and the bright objects.

In order to get a short shot, I pumped up the ISO on my camera, knowing that noise would be an issue. I really didn't want the noise, but, I couldn't think of another option. I was hoping that I could somehow mitigate the noise at home. In this case I decided to add more noise; I applied a crinkled paper texture to the photo. Sometimes, a little noise is annoying, while more is pleasing (hopefully).

You may note that moon has flares and is overexposed. I believe the flairs are due to the very small aperture is used to capture the scene. Overall, the moon looks more like the Sun than the Moon and lends a surrealistic feel to the image.

Be sure to visit Sky Watch Friday for other views of the sky from around the world.

Viewer's Choice

Sunset on the La Sal mountains behind the Delicate Arch in Arches National park.

This is very common image. While I was there, on a cold, breezy evening, there was at least 30 other photographers. I like to try to capture the cliche images at famous place and then try to find unusual subjects, or, familiar subjects seen in unusual ways.

This image is an HDR image taken a few minutes later, from a slightly different image.

Which one do you like better?

Something Blue

This was the view from my campsite in Arches National Park on my first morning there. I used my 200mm lens to isolate the silhouette of rock formations against the various shades of blue from the background. Occasionally, a blue morning is a great way to start the day.

Chimney at Sunset

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah - a chimney of rock, aka sand pipe. The park many such chimneys. They are believed to be solidified sediment that filled ancient springs or geyser left standing after the softer surrounding Entrada sandstone rock eroded away.

Be sure to visit Sky Watch Fridays!

Fountains

My outside thermometer reads -2 degrees F. Brrr! So, here's a Watery Wednesday photo from a warmer climate: Las Vegas: the Fountains at the Bellagio.

The fountains run every half-hour until 7 p.m. and every 15 minutes after that until midnight.   I believe that they played Elvis' Viva Las Vegas while I watched.  The fountains are in a $40 million, 8.5 acre lake outside of the Bellagio casino.  If you're ever in Las Vegas, the fountains are a must see.

Be sure to jump over to Watery Wednesday's!

Glowing Hoodoos

The edges of this Hoodoo in Bryce Canyon National park seem to be translucent and glows from the sun's back lighting.


For more beautiful scenes, head over to Scenic Sundays.

Cotton Candy Clouds

The sky above Bryce Canyon National Park.

Be sure to check out SkyWatch Fridays for other views of the sky.

Inspiration

The weather for most of my sabbatical was quite pleasant. By the time I reached Bryce Canyon, however, the temperatures had begun to fall. Every morning in Bryce was cold and very windy. That did not stop the numerous intrepid photographers from practicing their craft. This photo was taken at Inspiration Point in Bryce canyon. There were about a dozen other people around snapping shots at the same time. It must be very busy in the summer when the temperatures are much warmer.