Destination Photography - Reflection Canyon

'Black Desert'

Gear

Canon RP

Lens 24-105mm

Settings

ISO 800

24MM

F/11

1/160 sec

Editing

4 Images stitched together in LrC

I think destination photography can be tricky. We see these photographs online and think I want to go there and I want to capture that shot, but that isn't what landscape photography is to me. These were thoughts that rang in my ears for years and years however I was never able to create the images that I saw online, I could get close but they were never them same. This is something that I have realized is no longer my goal. Landscapes change and I think it is important to embrace what is in front of us. I like to use previous photography as inspiration but I believe it is wrong to try and create an identical image. I am in the field to capture my perspective even if it is in an area that gets photographed 1,000 times a day. Bringing my perspective to my art makes it more powerful to me and that is why I continue to pick up my camera.

This is Reflection Canyon one of those destination places. I have been avoiding these areas lately because it can be hard to create a unique image at them. However when the weather presented a few sunny days in the middle of winter I was all for it. I would recommend doing the 15 mile trip as an over night to take advantage of sunrise and sunset, don't go if it is above 65 degrees, check the wind forecast and avoid gusts above 25 mph, and pack plenty of water.

Reflection Canyon Map

These classic photography spots are classics for a reason, they are beautiful. I think it is worth taking your time to try and capture something different. I was pretty happy with this take I got of the classic spot utilizing pano-stitch editing to take a wide shot, and get as much detail as possible. To see some of my more unique perspectives on this area check out the next few blog posts.