Overlooked Greater Zion Mesas

Monkey Mesa Focus Stack

Camera Settings

• Focal Length 24mm

• Shutter Speed

• Apature

• ISO

Camera Gear

• Canon RP

• Canon 24-105mm F/4 RF

• Crappy Manfroto Tripod

• Iphone as digital remote

Editing Goal/ Focus

• Focus Stack and align in photoshop

• Emphasis on foreground and subject through editing to highlight to focus stack in lightroom

Focus Stacking is the practice of shooting multiple images so your final product has more or all of your image in focus. This technique is used to expand the range of focus you would otherwise be limited to by shooting one image. It is best to use a tripod when shooting focus stacks so your frames line up as easily as possible when in post production. I stacked 3 shots to create this image of Flying Monkey Mesa, and highlight the crispy winter shrubs. I used my cell phone paired with my camera as a wireless remote to ensure I did not have to touch my camera or tripod in between shots. Pairing the phone also allows me to select the different focal points from the phone.

This image is of Flying Monkey Mesa as seen from sheeps bridge road. I have spent a lot of time in this area and often find myself shooting the mesas that surround the area and ignore or am not satisfied with shots of the nearby West Temple in Zion. I think the pictures of these Mesas come out much clearer because they are light well by the sun and are closer subjects than the west temple that typically has a haze to it shot from this distance. These mesas are a staple in the area that is often overlooked by visitors.

I think this was great practice for me, and I think the shot is a solid image but I am more exited to use this technique in other areas. One of the reasons I am have begun this project is because I have be reminded that right outside my door their are opportunities to take amazing images of very unique landscapes that we are fortunate enough to have in this area. The outdoors are the biggest reason I live in this area and I never want to take advantage of that. This practice session is something I hope to continue so when the weather is incredible I can capture just that much more of an amazing capture. 

Amazing Weather opportunity that I believe I could have shot better with focus stacking and some bracketing. (@wrightoutside is my personal account).