Delicate Arch in sunset light at Arches National Park near Moab, Utah.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/20s, f/16, ISO 200, EV -0.3, 56mm focal length, tripod.

The moment before the Sun dipped below the horizon, it bathed Delicate Arch at Arches National Park near Moab, Utah in very reddish hues.  I was there to capture the moment after walking a 1.5 mile long trail and a 500 foot elevation change.  The last 150 feet of the narrow trail was along a step cliff to keep it interesting.  As my wife and I rounded the last corner to see Delicate Arch for the first time, we found we were not alone as about 100 others, many with tripods already set up, had the same idea.  By the time I took the photo above, another 100 people had joined us.

Through the efforts of the photographers, Delicate Arch was cleared of the many tourists who wanted their photo taken under the beautiful stone arch.  You can not blame them for wanting the keepsake photo.  You can not blame the photographers, many of which had arrived hours before, their opportunity at a keepsake photo either.  I am sure there were some, like myself, who may only get one chance at a sunset photo of Delicate Arch.

As I have mentioned many times this year, people at popular tourist attractions can be dealt with in several ways.  I like to use them to show scale.  Me telling you Delicate Arch is 65 feet tall is much different than showing you this picture…

A group of people pose under the 65 foot tall Delicate Arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/16, ISO 800, EV 0, 82mm focal length.

Don’t you think?

Dedication

Wow…300 views since I started this blog back in January of 2008.  I want to dedicate this post to the person who has been my companion for the last 30 years.  My wife, Merrie, who often is at my side when I am taking my photographs.  Thank you, honey!

Here we are at Canyonlands National Park last week.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/80s, f/16, ISO 220, EV 0, 35mm focal length, rock tripod, timer.