This morning was the first sunrise in Zion.  For a canyon that runs north-south, sunrise can be a bit of a challenge.  So Checkerboard Mesa was selected as the sunrise location because it is near the east entrance.

Now, Checkerboard Mesa is located in a place where the canyon still runs north-south in spite of its close proximity to the east entrance.  This means there was a lot of very wonderful open shade light that lasted for well over an hour after sunrise.  In fact the whole morning shoot was about open shade, autumn colors and an occasional back lit subject.

Sunlight eventually warmed the top of the Checkerboard but the foreground remained in cool, soft light.  The effect was very pleasing and calming.

Did I mention the open shade and fall colors?  This Gamble oak provided a beautiful subject of textures and colors.  I think of these images that are largely texture as tapestries.

And there was joyous, exhilarating backlight.  I look at this and can’t help smiling and feeling cheerful.  It gladdens my heart.

So how was my  morning?  I’d say it was pretty special.

Oh, by the way, sunset was a bust.  I was on the bridge over the Virgin River photographing the Watchman with the usual collection of the faithful.  I only shot a few images to show some of the other photographers there how to shoot HDR.

In summary, this was a day of soft light punctuated with the occasional brilliance of a marvelously backlit subject.  We’ll see what tomorrow brings but I’m hoping to catch some first light and then move on to some moving water images.  Stay tuned.

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