CBH & The Beauty of Bryce

I took this photo a couple of weeks while experimenting with wide shots in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I couldn't believe I had lived in Southern Utah for 25 years and never made the short journey, but I can tell you it was worth the wait.

Bryce Canyon, Utah

This image best represents the Gestalt principle of Continuity. Continuity is achieved when your eye is compelled to move in a certain way and be drawn to a point of interest. In this case, it is all about the light at the end of the railing. The beauty of the spires is best noticed when you can see the contrast between the light and the dark shadows and this great curved line pulls you to the one place in the picture those forces are at work.

The balance between the warmth of the walkway above and the desperate cold of the shaded areas deep in the valley can only be felt only because of the sunlight. I can tell you a few moments in the shade trying to catch a great shot and my fingertips began turning blue. The point on the cliff was the separation of both worlds that only come together deep in the background. I used the rule of thirds with the railing and the sky to offset the perfect balance and make it more interesting.

The balance changes everything about the scene. This photo was taken from nearly the same spot. Extremely boring compared to the first.

If color is the biggest influence on harmony, then that must be the reason this scene is so remarkable to me. The white purity of the snow set against the warm brown and cliffs is a contrast that not only draws out the beauty, but also tells the story of how different this same place could be during different times of year. The deep blue of sky and the brown spires are complimentary to each other and create a natural warmth that makes me feel good. It would be a different sensation if the skies were all grey. Everything in this photo works with each other, even the manufactured railing with its perfect brown paint set against the untouched world lets me know how important this moment in time must be.