Portrait of a Valley

Portrait of a Valley
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Monument Valley that is, seen in low light of late afternoon.

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By James Neeley

Honey, where's my wide angle lens?

Honey, where's my wide angle lens?
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Typically a shorter focal length is used to capture Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah. But this place is beautiful no matter what lens you use.

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By James Neeley

Monumental Scenery

Monumental Scenery
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Classic, evening view of the "Mittens" in Monument Valley, Navajo Nation. This was taken during the same session as an image posted earlier which had a shorter focal length. There were 10 or so photographers in front of these foreground rocks which are on the edge of the visitor center parking lot.

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By James Neeley

Rising Sun over Mesa Arch

Rising Sun over Mesa Arch
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park. Usually you try to catch the sun under the arch. Today there was a rain storm in the distance so I waited a bit and settled for the sunrise over the arch ;-)

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By James Neeley

Watch for Fallen Rock

Watch for Fallen Rock
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Late afternoon view of layered sandstone and rock fall in Grand Staircase-Escalante National monument in southern Utah. Taken near the old Paria town site.

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By James Neeley

Delicate Sunset

Delicate Sunset
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Waited until dark to catch the sunset color at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah. The 1.3 mile hike down required my camera CCD cleaning flash light which I happened to have in my camera bag.

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By James Neeley

Nature's Abstraction

Nature's Abstraction
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Another image from Lower Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona.

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By James Neeley

You can buy his pictures at :
http://www.imagekind.com/Showartwork.aspx?IMID=5c52cd80-69f2-4baa-b713-c419c3d80e9b

Low Light in Escalante

Low Light in Escalante
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Late afternoon view of the desert in Grand Staircase-Escalante National monument, southern Utah. Taken just up the road from the old Paria town site.

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By James Neeley

Mystery Valley

Mystery Valley
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Dirt road in Mystery Valley which is adjacent to Monument Valley on Navajo land. This place was accessible only with 4 wheel drive and a Navajo guide. There were many interesting ruins and rock features but rain and squatters limited our travel a bit.

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By James Neeley

Nature's Delicacy

Nature's Delicacy
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

When time permits, I'm still digging through the photographic data from my March Photo tour. Here is another rendition of that much photographed icon of the State of Utah, Delicate Arch.

See my comment below for technique used on this image.

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By James Neeley

Predawn Mittens

Predawn Mittens
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

The 'Mittens' in Monument Valley as seen in predawn light. Taken in March of 2007.

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By James Neeley

Mesa Arch

Mesa Arch
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

There was a rain storm in the distance so I could not capture the classic sun flair and rays at sunrise. Non the less it was a beautiful sight looking over Canyonlands through Mesa Arch. Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah.

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By James Neeley

Nature's Undulation

Nature's Undulation
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

I never tire of the curves, undulations, and abstract formations in Lower Antelope Slot Canyon near Page, Arizona.

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By James Neeley

Desert Spires

Desert Spires
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Totem Pole (right) & Yei Bi Chei in Monument Valley, Navajo Nation.

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By James Neeley

Desert Rain

Desert Rain
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

These clouds came up quickly in the afternoon heat on the road back to Highway 89 from the old Paria town site in the Grand Staircase-Escalante. There were water vapor trails everywhere but none the rain never reached the ground.

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By James Neeley

Where Light and Rock Meet

Where Light and Rock Meet
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Lower Antelope slot canyon. I usually try to limit my uploads to one a day and I truly appreciate all of your comments and invites on my stream. I'm just trying to get through all of the images I have from this trip.

We spent two days in Lower Antelope slot canyon (about 3 hrs. each day). This one is less traveled and a little quieter than Upper Antelope slot because all of the tours from Page go to upper. You can drive right to this one and have guided or unguided walk throughs. Middle of the day is the best time and even then the lighting is subdued so bring a tripod! It's dusty down in the slots so try to minimize lens changes or better yet take two bodies with the lens you need and don't change (wide angle is usually best. I can't imagine needing much more than 100mm).

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By James Neeley

Navajo Sunrise

Navajo Sunrise
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Sunrise from the entrance road to Wahweap above Lake Powell. Navajo Mountain is in the distance.

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By James Neeley

A Road Less Traveled

A Road Less Traveled
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Dirt road heading toward the old Paria town site in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The turnoff is on Highway 89 between Kanab and Page.

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By James Neeley

A Utah Classic

A Utah Classic
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park with the LaSalle Mountains in the background. This shot was while I was waiting for sunset and an image I posted earlier. There were about 50 other photographers there but all were polite and stayed away from the arch except for a few, brief "you were there" shots.

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By James Neeley

Wisdom of Ages

Wisdom of Ages
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

90+ year old Navajo woman named Susie who lives in a hogan in Monument Valley demonstrates traditional rug weaving. When I asked our Navajo guide what her real name was he said that they prefer not to use it because they hold it sacred.

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By James Neeley

Wahweap Calm

Wahweap Calm
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Evening light falls on Lake Powell, North of Page, Arizona. The house boats in the foreground are on a buoy field at Wahweap Marina.

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By James Neeley

Seeking Distant Plateaus

Seeking Distant Plateaus
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Low evening light illuminates the cliffs and plateaus over Wahweap bay near Page, Arizona.

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By James Neeley

Susie

Susie
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

90+ year old Navajo weaver named Susie lives in a hogan in Monument Valley. When I asked our Navajo guide what her real name was he said that they prefer not to use it because they hold it sacred.

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By James Neeley

These Hands

These Hands
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Susie waits for a moment before demonstrating Navajo weaving.

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By James Neeley

Mile Marker 13

Mile Marker 13
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

As I was leaving Monument Valley our guide, Cliff Zenor said, "Be sure to stop at mile marker 13, look back and take a picture." This is the result. Cliff was spot on in recommending many great photographic locations.

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By James Neeley

Vermilion Sunrise

Vermilion Sunrise
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

The Arizona desert west of Page is lit by morning light. In the foreground are "petrified" sand dunes. Echo peaks lie in the distance on the upper left and the Vermilion Cliffs are seen in the background. The Colorado River gourge in seen the the upper left.

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By James Neeley

Run like the Wind

Run like the Wind
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Three Navajo horses ran across our path while touring Monument Valley. I was quick enough to get my camera but not quick enough to change from aperture priority f22 and hence the slow shutter, but I don't think it would have been as dynamic if I had time to plan the shot. Just a lot of luck!

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By James Neeley

Monument Valley

Monument Valley
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Evening light over Monument Valley. This is the last image from my trip I'll be able to upload before I get home. It's been glorious although it will take some time sorting through all the treasure chest of image data! Thank you for all of your comments without me being able to recipacate. I'm looking forward to seeing all of the images I've missed when I get home.

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By James Neeley

Navajo Mountain Sunrise

Navajo Mountain Sunrise
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Sunrise over Navajo Mountain and the Arizona desert with Lake Powell in the foreground.

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By James Neeley

Red Rock Photographers

Red Rock Photographers
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Five of our group of photographers pose for an early morning portrait. I'm still on the road photographing from dawn to dusk and being blown away by beautiful sight after beautiful site. So far I've shot about 40 gigs and I've got 3 more days!

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By James Neeley

Rock Art

Rock Art
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Anasazi petroglyphs in Monument Valley, Navajo Nation. Bighorn Sheep? We visited many beautiful and interesting petroglyph sites.

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By James Neeley

Lake Powell Twilight

Lake Powell Twilight
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Calm evening on Lake Powell, the lake formed by the Glen Canyon Dam. The lake is down over 100 feet and is less than half capacity. Many wonder if it will ever refill because of reduced precipitation in the western United States as a result of global warming. A portion of the Wahweap marina is visible on the left. Much of the low lying area in the distance is under water when the lake was at higher levels.

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By James Neeley

Afternoon Erruption

Afternoon Erruption
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Late afternoon view of layered sandstone and a rock fall in Grand Staircase-Escalante National monument in southern Utah. Taken near the old Paria town site.

When my wife say this image she said it looked like a volcanno erupting. The clouds formed so quickly this afternoon it was an eruption of a sort!

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By James Neeley

Paria Painted Dunes

Paria Painted Dunes
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Late afternoon view of layered sandstone in Grand Staircase-Escalante National monument in southern Utah. Taken near the old Paria town site.

A beautiful day trip from Lake Powell, the old town is about 40 minutes from Page heading north on 89 towards Kanab. There is a marker and a sign that says “Old Paria Town site.” After cruising a dirt road for several miles, you turn the corner and a spray of painted desert dunes greets you. The road begins to wind down to a rebuilt movie set. The set has been restored and was burned down by vandals last year. This was a suprise to our guide because one of the reasons we went down was to photograph the old building replicas. The scenery itself was worth the trip though. Late afternoon and evening light is a great time to photograph here.

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By James Neeley

Capturing the Light

Capturing the Light
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Two photographers from our group focus on the evening light at Grand Staircase-Escalante National monument in southern Utah.

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By James Neeley

Careful, sharp curve ahead

Careful, sharp curve ahead
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Horseshoe Bend, Colorado River just below the Glen Canyon Dam near Page, Arizona.
The sights here are wonderful. I'm trying to give you a taste of this incredible area. Since my internet access is limited I'm not commenting as I would like. I'll catch up next week.

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By James Neeley

New Light

New Light
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Morning light streams across the Arizona desert near Page, Arizona and Lake Powell.

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By James Neeley

Clouds of Glory

Clouds of Glory
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Canopy of cotton clouds bids farewell as I drove east from Monument Valley.

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By James Neeley

River Gorge

River Gorge
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

View of the Colorado River Gorge just west of Glen Canyon Dam in Northern Arizona.

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By James Neeley

Monument Loop

Monument Loop
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

The main road through Monument Valley is a dirt road which can be very dusty. To go off of this loop and explore more remote areas you need a Navajo guide.

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By James Neeley

Flood of Light

Flood of Light
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Sun rises over the Arizona desert and the Navajo Nation. Lake Powell is in the foreground and the mountain is the distance is Navajo Mountain.

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By James Neeley

Yei Bi Chei and the Totem Pole

Yei Bi Chei and the Totem Pole
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

This is a non-hdr image of the famous spires in Monument Valley in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. Processing was performed exclusively with various filters included in Lucisart.

For a great site with examples and tutorials on using Lucisart check out Andy Heatwole's "Secret Weapon" at www.blog.bluehourphoto.com/secretweapon.html.

Andy also has negotiated a discount code for the purchase of the Lucisart pluggin at the above link. Thanks Andy!

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By James Neeley

Escalante Revisited

Escalante Revisited
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Longer focal length view of the desert in Grand Staircase-Escalante National monument, southern Utah. Taken just up the road from the old Paria town site.

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By James Neeley

Echo Peaks

Echo Peaks
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Bathed in morning light, the jagged Echo Peaks west of Page, Arizona are seen here with the Vermillion Cliffs in the background and "petrified" sand dunes in the foreground.

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By James Neeley

Yei Bi Chei

Yei Bi Chei
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

Stormy morning at the Yei Bi Chei formation in Monument Valley, Navajo Nation.

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By James Neeley

La Posada Hotel | Winslow, Arizona

La Posada Hotel | Winslow, Arizona
Originally uploaded by Patrick Houlihan

The La Posada Hotel was designed by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter and opened in 1930. The Santa Fe Railroad stopped at the front gate, and guests frequently spent time here for luxurious travel comforts. Visitors to La Posada include President Franklin Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, James Cagney, Charles Lindbergh (who designed the Winslow airport), Amelia Earhart, and Howard Hughes.

The property eventually declined, closed in 1957, and was to be torn down. Colter died believing that her greatest achievement would soon be destroyed. In recent years, however, it has undergone extensive renovation and was reopened in 1997.

Thanks to Claire and Dr. Doc for telling us about about La Posada. We made reservations and stayed in the "John Wayne" room. (Each room is named for a celebrity who had stayed here).

La Posada is unlike any hotel I've ever visited. It's elegant, yet rustic and quirky. Each room is different, reflecting the tastes of the person for whom it is named. The restaurant is outstanding and the front yard is huge. Strolling through the hallways, lobby, foyer, and the ballroom is like a visit to a favorite museum. The arcades in front and the sunken garden in back are ideal places for an early morning cup of coffee.

The room rate is much less expensive than you'd expect. Although the main building is huge (larger than the Hearst Castle), there are not many rooms for guests -- you do need to plan ahead for reservations.

I talked to a visitor from Phoenix who has stayed here 33 times. He and his wife schedule visits to their daughter in Colorado based on La Posada's room availability. Had I not visited this place, I wouldn't have understood.

On Route 66, Winslow, AZ, USA.

A Grand View

A Grand View
Originally uploaded by James Neeley

A Navajo horseman ponders the grandeur of Monument Valley....well actually our guide paid him 40 bucks to go out and pose. But a wonderful view none the less.

Painted Desert

Painted Desert
Originally uploaded by Patrick Houlihan

Arizona Painted Desert
Tepees Area | Petrified Forest National Park

Cinderblock Court of the La Posada Hotel

Cinderblock Court of the La Posada Hotel
Originally uploaded by Patrick Houlihan

La Posada Hotel | Winslow, AZ

One Knight at TheHotel

one knight at the hotel
Originally uploaded by Patrick Houlihan

La Posada Hotel Winslow, AZ