close iframe icon
approved icon deannefortnam avatar Platinum
deannefortnam
Virgin River, Zion
Banner

Virgin River, Zion



behind the lens badge

This extraordinary landscape is along Rt. 9 in Utah's Zion Canyon, looking southwest toward The Watchman

This extraordinary landscape is along Rt. 9 in Utah's Zion Canyon, looking southwest toward The Watchman
Read less
upload_dateAug, 2016

Views

3134

Likes

Dodoka nedell dennischeeseman lablue lhartney maksym jlappen +331

Awards

Action Award
Legendary Award
Hero Award
Member Selection Award
  View more
Peer Award
dennisrubin Johnsalterego EdCorrea paulgouin kurtvolkle BorisToronto keylord +100
Absolute Masterpiece
denicaryphillips The_Rampant_Lion Arch furious_skies quincyfloyd jonwestaway Ranette +57
Superb Composition
slawakladocznagryta kdbeatty75 Szigeti 1quietlady Pixelbug Kaceoo RobSartin +54
Top Choice
nedell Eich Baumhaus Brad03 gusgardner brimel claudiovaz +31
Magnificent Capture
PennySlacke iani markcote baybig Ove_Christensen MarkWolskyPhotography Hippiechic +14
All Star
Bruz DaveLoucks mikegallaway loveMustangs Badgrandad Dacemac traceymcdonald +12
Outstanding Creativity
maryeileengardner martelG Shelli-BBPCHGO sjphotocomau Ritsikas66 normsfotos Keefyboy +2
Superior Skill
leckie45 WillNoursePhotography Viktor_Odnovyun sallyG11 janzark nathalie_8819 +1
Genius
ciscomunoz Confalonieri lizziemellis

Emotions

Impressed
Pjerry silviosinbad ronaldwebb Viktor_Odnovyun daniducayag

Top Ranks

Legendary Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Legendary Landscapes Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
The Wonders of the World Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Gorgeous Rivers Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Magnificent Canyons Photo ContestTop 20 rank
View more
Magnificent Canyons Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Natural Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Natural Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Natural Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
80 Stays Around the World Photo ContestTop 20 rank
80 Stays Around the World Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Earth Day 2017 Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Earth Day 2017 Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Earth Day 2017 Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Water Photo Contest 2017Top 10 rank
Water Photo Contest 2017Top 10 rank week 1
Iconic Places and Things Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Iconic Places and Things Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Iconic Places and Things Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Mountain Shapes Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Unforgettable Landscapes Photo Contest by ZenfolioTop 20 rank
Unforgettable Landscapes Photo Contest by ZenfolioTop 20 rank week 3
Unforgettable Landscapes Photo Contest by ZenfolioTop 20 rank week 2
Around the World Photo Contest By DiscoveryTop 10 rank
Call Of The Wild Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Unforgettable Landscapes Photo Contest by ZenfolioTop 20 rank week 1
Around the World Photo Contest By DiscoveryTop 10 rank week 1
Call Of The Wild Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
People In Large Areas Photo ContestTop 20 rank
People In Large Areas Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
People In Large Areas Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
High Peaks Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Monthly Pro Vol 27 Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Image of the Year Photo Contest 2016Top 10 rank
Monthly Pro Vol 27 Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Image of the Year Photo Contest 2016Top 10 rank week 1
High Peaks Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 3
Monthly Pro Vol 27 Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
High Peaks Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 2
Composing With Depth Photo ContestTop 10 rank
High Peaks Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Composing With Depth Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Stunning Landscapes Photo Contest by NPLTop 10 rank
Stunning Landscapes Photo Contest by NPLTop 10 rank week 1
Composing With Depth Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
ViewBug HQ Photo Contest 2016Top 10 rank
Man In Nature Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Composition Techniques Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Coast Or Inland Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Composition Techniques Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Man In Nature Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 3
Coast Or Inland Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Sweeping Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Lakes Or Rivers Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Composition Techniques Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Man In Nature Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Sweeping Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Lakes Or Rivers Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Coast Or Inland Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Man In Nature Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Sweeping Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Lakes Or Rivers Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Along The River Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Along The River Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Along The River Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 1Top 20 rank
Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 5Top 20 rank
Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 5Top 10 rank week 3
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 1Top 10 rank week 2
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 13Top 10 rank
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 13Top 10 rank week 3
Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 5Top 10 rank week 2
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 1Top 10 rank week 1
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 13Top 10 rank week 2
Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 5Top 10 rank week 1
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 13Top 20 rank week 1
Freshmen 2016 Photo Contest Vol 2Top 10 rank
Freshmen 2016 Photo Contest Vol 2Top 10 rank week 2

Categories

18 Comments |
BorisToronto
 
BorisToronto August 16, 2016
Wow this is stunning.
djamesbarr
 
djamesbarr August 22, 2016
Amazing capture. Beautiful!
deannefortnam Platinum
deannefortnam August 22, 2016
Many thanks, much appreciated
keithfey
 
keithfey September 14, 2016
Fantastic! especially the family central lower which gives the whole scene scale.. You can be very proud of your passion which shows in your entire portfolio.. will be back often Regards Keith
deannefortnam Platinum
deannefortnam September 14, 2016
Many thanks! This is probably my favorite image I've ever taken. I'm just learning how to do landscape photography and was pleased with the impact this image makes and gives the feeling and mood of the late afternoon in that beautiful spot.
tylerolsen
 
tylerolsen September 22, 2016
This picture wow! I love the shot the colour and really made me feel special, like I was there. GREAT work!!
deannefortnam Platinum
deannefortnam September 22, 2016
Thanks so much!
joshmoore
 
joshmoore December 05, 2016
Beautiful image!! Is this the Virgin River and Zion??
deannefortnam Platinum
deannefortnam December 05, 2016
Thanks very much! Yes it is Virgin River at Zion
JDLifeshots
 
JDLifeshots February 05, 2017
Great shot! Voted Landscape.
davidsloan
 
davidsloan April 07, 2017
An exquisite landscape,love it.
Alfredo_Jose
 
Alfredo_Jose April 20, 2017
Excellent photo!
Treecy
 
Treecy April 28, 2017
Gorgeous capture. Thank you for entering my photo challenge!
Eddieuuu071 Platinum
 
Eddieuuu071 August 21, 2017
Love the lighting
SteBil30 Platinum
 
SteBil30 December 02, 2017
Always love this POV, however this one has that added drama of the clouds and dark foliage. Great job Deanne!
Pjerry Platinum
 
Pjerry March 02, 2020
It's like a painting, you nailed this one, so beautiful.
deannefortnam Platinum
deannefortnam March 02, 2020
And again, thank you so very much for all your kind comments. I truly appreciate your taking the time to look at my gallery and comment. Cheers!
MelissaSueBall
 
MelissaSueBall December 16, 2020
Stunning photo
deannefortnam Platinum
deannefortnam December 16, 2020
Thanks very much!
BobToyeShoots Premium
 
BobToyeShoots December 17, 2020
Sweet shot, Deanne.
deannefortnam Platinum
deannefortnam December 18, 2020
Thank you!
lizziemellis PRO+
 
lizziemellis September 19, 2021
Amazing landscape, l have been learning landscape seems I have a long way to go:-)
Vash01Photo Ultimate
 
Vash01Photo October 10, 2024
Beautiful
deannefortnam Platinum
deannefortnam October 11, 2024
thank you
Maple-2103 Ultimate
 
Maple-2103 Mar 05
So Beautiful,!!!!!!
deannefortnam Platinum
deannefortnam Apr 20
Thank you very much!
SanitysGallery Platinum
 
SanitysGallery Apr 19
Beautiful
deannefortnam Platinum
deannefortnam Apr 20
Thank you very much!

Submitted to Photo Contests

Tags

#National PArk #sandstone #utah #zion #zion canyon
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

This photograph was taken on the bridge over the Virgin River on Scenic Byway, Rt. 9 Utah in Zion National Park. At the time I took this I didn't realize that this was one of the most popular and most photographed vistas in this iconic park. I was just so inspired by the sweep of the Virgin River and the gorgeous light hitting The Sentinel (mountain in the background).

Time

This image was taken during early evening just before 7PM. My husband and I had been hiking the park all day and returned to our hotel for a rest. (we are no spring chickens and were tired after walking about all day at these elevations) Anyway, the lowering sun and changing and dramatic shadows lured me back into the park with my camera and I'm so glad I did as this is my favorite image from our two week trip to Utah and Arizona.

Lighting

The late afternoon light on the sandstone rocks is just magic. It's beautiful during the day but as the sun is setting the light becomes softer, warmer and just magical while the shadows creeping up the sides of the mountains become cooler and create very harsh contrast. I especially liked the contrast in color temperature between the glowing peaks and the cool sky and river.

Equipment

This was taken with my Canon 1Ds MKIII and Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS - f/11, 45mm bracketd from 1/500, 1/200 to 1/80. I also used a tripod and shutter release.

Inspiration

Sometimes when you are taking pictures it's good to put down the camera and just LOOK at what is in front of you. We'd taken a drive up Rt 9 into the park and on our return crossing the bridge the view just took my breath away. Parked the car, walked back to the bridge and couldn't believe the magical view in front of my eyes. After absorbing the visual feast and the 'feel' of the view I went back to the car for my gear. I'm new to landscape photography and wanted to attempt to capture the enormous sweep of the setting, (the people in the foreground provide scale) the magical feeling of the light, mountain and river.

Editing

Yes, I recently began experimenting with HDR about a year ago and find it to be really useful for capturing the extremes of contrast in an image like this. I try not to oversaturate the image or make it unrealistic looking by removing too much of the contrast. I use Photomatix Pro for combining the exposures and then import into Lightroom to tweak the levels as needed. I wanted to create the feeling of the light on the mountains and river and still show the beautiful cloud formations in the sky and detail in the foreground.

In my camera bag

I normally travel with my full frame Canon 1Ds MKIII, and a 7DII, Canon 24/105, and 100/400. I am primarily a bird photographer and have a Canon 600 f/4 IS II. I also keep a flash, shutter release, and UV filter, lightweight and heavyweight Gitzo tripods, ball head and a Wimberly Gimbal head for the 600mm.

Feedback

I'm always evaluating the world around me to 'see' what can be framed and cropped into a good composition. With this particular image, I was lucky to come across this shot as I was driving by. Most of the time, that doesn't happen! Take the time to evaluate the landscape to see what you want to show, what feeling you want and what kind of light and atmosphere will give you the results you want. The more time you research a location the better the chance for good results. Shoot many exposures trying different aperture settings and framing. If you are in the 'golden hours' shoot then wait, wait, wait. The light and shadows change by the minute and something better might come along five minutes after you think you're done.

See more amazing photos, follow deannefortnam

User photo