Pastel Dawn, Desert View, Grand Canyon

Hey Gary! I saw this on FB last night and started to write a comment on your Word-Press blog but we got a phone call from the kids...and I never got back...I read your words about the looks of disappointment on some of your student's faces when the 'expected" conditions did not gel. I understand fully how many folks in the "instant gratification" age can be...It's too bad that more of us can't switch from that demand for "instant gratification" to an ability to "instantly adjust!" Maybe it was my Vietnam experience and/or something in between then and my ripe old age now, but flexibility is one of the mst important elements in my life, to me. We must always be willing to "suck it up" and "go with the flow"...Otherwise we will be really nasty, mean, and, worst of all, intolerant people. And tolerance is ONE thing that this world seems to be losing at hyperspace speed. I've seen Don's image of this day and now yours...Personally, I think this is just about the most uniquely artisitc piece of the Grand Canyon that I have ever seen. The softness and peacefulness of this image just takes one back through the ages - through time. And isn't that what the Grand Canyon is all about for heaven's sake!? What is "haze" to some becomes a dreamlike vision to others...me included. And while some get disgusted because Nature did not do what we wanted it to do, others just go "OK, this is different...lets do something with this" A big difference in attitude and flexibility. There's more than one course of action in a project, some of us just don't want to be flexible and go with it. This is magnificent Gary!!

Love the pastels here, Gary! However, I understand the disappointment of the students. I've been on a lot of workshops to see and photograph things that do not exist where I live and have spent thousands of dollars in the process. We are at the mercy of the weather, groups that are at least large enough that your wide angle lenses are marginally useless because someone is often in your shot. I've come home with nice shots, but have always missed out on my favorite views due to the above mentioned things. Yes, I've learned to be flexible - I'm used to making lemonade! I've had to learn to photograph where I live - which is why I photograph what I love in my macro studio inside my house!

Those of you who have fall color, waterfalls, oceans, mountains, 4 seasons, lone trees on hilly terrain, and relatively calm days to photograph flowers outdoors ...... well, enjoy them!

My privelage sir...say, what lens did you use on this exposure? Just curious

Gary,
While I usually admire your work for, among other things, it's naturalness, this has an entirely different quality. It evokes for me the landscape painters from the early days of the opening of the American West. It is really special. BTW, I am writing from Dades Valley, Morocco, where there is unfortunately nothing to shoot.
Best,
Rick

ha! i know something about such disappointment, having recently travelled to look for such similar conditions and founding very little... i am a bit different though and often take the point of view that almost any conditions are good for photos and i am one to try to get the best out of what i have, not lamenting about what i don't... this is a wonderful photo - i really like the composition and the colour tone range that you captured here... it has a certain painterly quality to it!