Trajectory

I have been talking about the composition of this image in an earlier post, and today I want to tell the story behind the scene...

It was the 2nd October 2013, we will not be visiting Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park if the US government wasn't shutdown. Instead, we were planning to be in the Zion National Park, although we still had the chance to pass by Mt. Carmel Highway of the Zion National Park. This is how we end our day in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

After a day long of walking, we wanted to try something new, something exciting but without involve extra walk. We wanted to rent an ATV, and we thought that ATV can bring us to the site where we are not able to reach by foot, and get some nice sunset shots. However, we can only do this if we are the only people on the ATV tour at the particular time slot, I don't think we will be free to stop at any place we want and scouting around for photography sweat spot, if there are other people in the tour. Ok, we decided that if there is no one else on the ATV tour at 5pm, we will be in. Eventually, there were a group of people joined the ATV tour, so we gave up. Let's go back to the sand dunes, keep walking to find a sweat spot for golden hour shot.

The golden hour is approaching, I was standing on a higher elevation dune with my camera and tripod ready. To the east, it is the nice abstract patterns form by different elevation of sand dunes. I was hoping that, when the sun is getting low, I was able to get a nice and simple abstract shot with vibrant color. Suddenly, an ATV was just hurtling across the piece of land within my frame, creating the trajectories all over the place. With no time to think further, I intuitively pressed the shutter. This is an unexpected moment, but in a good way! When I view the image on the computer screen, I really love how the final image looks! Moreover, if you zoom in the image or view in a larger print, you will see a man riding the ATV with a dog at the back!

If the government wasn't shutdown, if the ATV tour wasn't fill up, if the ATV (with the driver and his dog) didn't invade into my frame, this image will never exist! What's an amazing coincident! Is this what the meaning of Alexander Graham Bell's quote "When one door closes, another door opens"? In this case, three door close and one open!

Happy Friday and have a great weekend ahead!

"Dissecting" the Coral Pink Sand Dunes

This picture taken at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah. This is one of my favorite, of course, with plenty of reasons...

1. Golden hour - at a low angle, the sun cast a magical, golden grow across the sand dunes. Did I tell you light is important?

2. Composition - if you think abstractly (imagine everything in their abstract form - shape, color, contrast, etc.), you will notice the picture is formed by five triangles of different size and configuration. The contrast formed by light shade significantly enhance the formation of abstract triangles. Imagine if the picture taken during mid-day - can you see still the imaginary triangles?

3. Sense of scale - the ATV in the background gives a sense of scale to the picture. Wow! the sand dunes is huge! Don't you think so?

4. Gestalt principle - despite the discontinuity of the ATV trail, you might imagine the ATV is moving across the sand dunes, from the bottom right of the picture to the top right.

5. Simplicity - golden sand dunes plus an ATV. Is it simple enough? Sometime, less is more:)

Thanks for reading! What do you think?

p.s. This picture also published as Picture of the Day (October 11, 2013) at TodaysPhoto.org:
http://www.todaysphoto.org/picture-of-the-day/coral-pink-sand-dunes-s-p/

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park - often overlooked by photographers on their way to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park, is nonetheless a must see destination. It is as stunning as many national parks in US. The ever-changing landscape and light on sand dunes are one of the most beautiful, dynamic, and inspirational place on earth.

There are many good reasons to visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. It's located between Mount Carmel Junction and Kanab, south and west of US-89 in southwestern Utah. It is just 33 miles from Zion National Park, 75 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park and 88 miles from Grand Canyon National Park. Plus, there are plenty of photography opportunities at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park - the light is fantastic at dawn and dusk, while the mid-day is great for capturing small detail and abstract. You can even join one of the ATV tour!

There is a good tips on photographing sand dune, which I recommended to whom interested to visit and photographing sand dunes: http://www.shutterbug.com/content/locations-sand-dune-parks-tips-shifting-sands.

I learnt two things from this trip. First, never change lens in the middle of sand dunes. Second, for grand landscape - wait for the good light; otherwise, keep your eye sharp and look for small detail for abstract shot - there are plenty of great subject out there!