Sedona With Snow

Carol Freshley February 6, 2017

We watched the weather for weeks hoping to get the 'perfect' day to drive north and get some winter snow photography. I love the red rocks of Sedona covered with snow so that location was my first choice. Finally, it seemed like that perfect day had arrived. Six photographers, pretty nice weather and lots of shared company make a very nice photo adventure. Kati was in Sedona the day before we drove up and has graciously contributed her photos showing the storm clouds building up and then snow falling. Enjoy.

When we drive to Sedona we usually stop first at the Forest Service Information Center.  Not only is the view pretty darn good, but it gives us an opportunity to check out road conditions with the staff and makes sure all our favorite sites are… — When we drive to Sedona we usually stop first at the Forest Service Information Center. Not only is the view pretty darn good, but it gives us an opportunity to check out road conditions with the staff and makes sure all our favorite sites are open.

Finally, we decided it was time to drive into Sedona.  Of course, we had to stop along the way or take photographs from a moving car.  To me this looks like another praying monk. — Finally, we decided it was time to drive into Sedona. Of course, we had to stop along the way or take photographs from a moving car. To me this looks like another praying monk.

We wanted to photograph the valley from the the nice overlook across from the airport parking lot.  But, they now charge $3 just to park!!  We decided to head a bit down the mountain and take our photographs from the trail head of a path t… — We wanted to photograph the valley from the the nice overlook across from the airport parking lot. But, they now charge $3 just to park!! We decided to head a bit down the mountain and take our photographs from the trail head of a path that goes to the top of the hill.

I think Karen hiked to the top but I decided against what looked like a slippery slope.  We can only have one person at a time in a sling in our household! — I think Karen hiked to the top but I decided against what looked like a slippery slope. We can only have one person at a time in a sling in our household!

OK, time to get back on the road and head to Red Rock Crossing.

With one very interesting stop along the way.  I think this is before the Crossing, but am not sure. — With one very interesting stop along the way. I think this is before the Crossing, but am not sure.

Rick has a new filter and filter holder (Lee, I believe) and I asked him to share how he had stacked them for some of the photographs he took.  This image was captured with both a circular polarizing filter and a 2 stop ND graduated filter. — Rick has a new filter and filter holder (Lee, I believe) and I asked him to share how he had stacked them for some of the photographs he took. This image was captured with both a circular polarizing filter and a 2 stop ND graduated filter.

On this image Rick used a circular polarizer and a 3 stop ND filter.

Rick used a circular polarizer and a 1 stop graduated ND filter.

After lunch Rick and Barbara made a side visit to photograph the Chapel on the Hill.  Most of the snow had already melted in Sedona by the time we left. — After lunch Rick and Barbara made a side visit to photograph the Chapel on the Hill. Most of the snow had already melted in Sedona by the time we left.

Red Rock Crossing

Carol Freshley November 22, 2014

Before heading to Red Rock Crossing we drove up the hill to the airport's overlook. From there you can see a wide swath of Sedona. It was midday . . . so . . . well, the light was not the best! But, after a fair amount of grousing about the light, you have to admit that at least one person in the group was up to the challenge!

Our goal in going to Red Rock Crossing was to capture some fall yellows, reflections and maybe a clever closeup or two . . . against the gorgeous backdrop of Cathedral Rock. A bonus would be a great golden hour, turning the rock a brilliant fiery orange that reflected back onto Oak Creek. We will leave it to our viewers to decide if we got what we went for. For us? Well, when ten friends get together with a common interest in photography the outcome is usually memorable.

Doreen started by showing off color wrapping the parking area in gold.  I looked up at the iconic Cathedral Rack and was disappointed.  Doreen turned around and looked back.  I like Doreen's perspective better than mine! — Doreen started by showing off color wrapping the parking area in gold. I looked up at the iconic Cathedral Rack and was disappointed. Doreen turned around and looked back. I like Doreen's perspective better than mine!

One perspective taken earlier in the afternoon.  Below another one taken three hours later. — One perspective taken earlier in the afternoon. Below another one taken three hours later.

Barbara breaks the rules about leading lines.

Rick has angels that deliver the sun just where he asks . . . .

Kati had a good strategy.  She went 'light' with only one camera and one lens, her macro lens.  She was taking her time and working each and every shot.  I think she was in a meditative state!! — Kati had a good strategy. She went 'light' with only one camera and one lens, her macro lens. She was taking her time and working each and every shot. I think she was in a meditative state!!

You know something is up when you spot a line of photographers with their black noses all pointed in the same direction, such as we have above and below. What you don't know is how many 'interpretations' of the scene you will get. Enjoy them all.

Our hikers took up the trail to the top of the Cathedral Rock. They mentioned one mile and then said it was a bit like Piestewa Peak. That meant it was 'arduous', difficult, and definitely not meant for the ordinary person unprepared for that kind of hike. Their images were awesome!!

Now that is a very new perspective of Cathedral Rock!  Thanks Ann. — Now that is a very new perspective of Cathedral Rock! Thanks Ann.

Uh?  That is a tough path. — Uh? That is a tough path.

I think Greg took this of Ann with her iPod Touch (her camera for the day). She certainly offers a sense of scale!!  Quite the view. — I think Greg took this of Ann with her iPod Touch (her camera for the day). She certainly offers a sense of scale!! Quite the view.

Nice comparison with the images taken from the airport's viewpoint.

Ah Lefty.  I see that Ann has a new perch for you on Buddha Beach! — Ah Lefty. I see that Ann has a new perch for you on Buddha Beach!

If you hike up the creek far enough you come to a forest of cairns. Hundreds of them!! I believe the area is referred to as Buddha Beach. I was told it is very bad karma to steal a rock from someone else's cairn creation.

When one runs out of ground real estate the cairn is placed up in trees!

This house is right behind the bank where everyone wants to stand for the iconic Golden Hour shot of Cathedral Rock.

As the Golden Hour settled in we were able to capitalize on that precious gold and get in a few more shots that really emphasizes the gold.

"If you are the last one leaving the creek, please dim the lights.  Thank you." — "If you are the last one leaving the creek, please dim the lights. Thank you."

Cathedral Rock, Red Rock Crossing

Carol Freshley October 21, 2013

My mother tells me she misses our Travelogue. Ahhhhhh! She needs a fix! We have several long trips planned in the future that will fill another or add to the current Travelogue. But, rather than just add short trips to that, we are creating a new blog for our shorter one and two day trips. Plus, since most of the shorter trips are with fellow photographers we plan on inviting them to contribute some of their best photos taken on the trip for all to enjoy. What may be the most interesting about this format is to have a chance to see how several photographers, at the same scene, capture it differently!!

This trip was taken on October 18th. Rick and Barbara were with us.

Sometimes, as I look at a photo opportunity, I see nothing but problems with it. It is nice to see someone else shoot it and make it work. Rick did that here.

So, this is the start. Tom and I hope very much that it can evolve into a site where many photographers can come together to share and exhibit their very best. And . . . mom, I hope this takes care of your fantastic inquisitive and nurturing nature.

Tom and I also hope that many photographers join us in discovering the world around us, finding meaning and insight that we can barely imagine and, that without the lens and camera bodies that capture images, we dare not trust to memory.

We hope we see you again.