Autumn at the dunes in black and white
A trailside view of the Great Sand Dunes in autumn.
Great Sand Dunes at night, December 2007.  It was probably -20F and dead calm when I shot this.  Good time to have the warm car nearby for the six minute exposure.  I've also shot at this exact spot at sunset in the fall, too.
The Shafer Trail in Canyonlands National Park, on New Year's Day, 2009.  I've learned to appreciate days with high, thin clouds; sometimes they catch fire like this just after the sun goes down.  This is a tough spot to photograph in direct light at sunset, as the canyon tends to get lost in deep shadow.  Add the magical snow-covered north slopes of the winter season to the soft pink light and it made for a beautiful few minutes.
I liked this tree all by itself out in the field, with dusk's soft light on the Great Sand Dunes.  I moved around a bit to set up a composition that emphasized the tree's isolation and, if I may personify it just a bit, bravery.
Sunset at Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Delicate Arch, Utah, in Arches National Park at sunset on New Year's Eve 2008.  I love going to Arches in the winter!  The crowds are gone, the snow in the north shadows is beautiful, and I'd personally rather hike in 30F than 100F.  It had been a pretty hazy day, but around 3:30 the western skies started to clear up, setting up great light for sunset.  Shot on Fuji Velvia 100 4x5 film.
A trailside view of the Great Sand Dunes in autumn.
A trailside view of the Great Sand Dunes in autumn.
A trailside view of the Great Sand Dunes in autumn.
See photo in original gallery.