Canyon de Chelly...

[Vince Lupo]

Visited Canyon de Chelly in Arizona a few days ago, and did the 1.5 mile trek down to the White House ruins.

This is probably one of the most photographed historic sites around, and both Timothy O'Sullivan and Ansel Adams have created stunning photos of this site.

So the challenge -- how to photograph this so that it doesn't seem like I was looking for Ansel Adams' tripod marks in the sand, as well as put my own interpretation on the scene?

I've chosen four of the shots that I like -- not sure which one is 'best', or even if any of them are good.

Thoughts?

#1

#2

#3

#4

Thanks for looking!

 

[DominikDUK]

Nice pictures. I would love to visit the place I am envious. Picture 3 is not bad but picture 4 cropped to landscape format above the ruins (third quarter of the ledge would the best place).

Dominik

 

[porktaco]

yeah. all are very striking. all look relatively fresh, but i'm no scholar of chelley photos. i think i like 2 best, then 1. for scale/vertigo

 

[Zonan]

Nice work, Vince! I like #3 best.

 

[Morry Katz]

Number 3 & 4 are quite unusual and a refreshingly different take on a well worn subject.
Well done.I was there about 20 years ago and keep meaning to go back.
Cheers
Morry Katz, Lethbridge, AB.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Thanks for the comments guys. For me the place is like a church, and should really be contemplated in silence when you're in front of it. Definitely a feeling of standing in the footprints of history.

So do you think that the scene is better depicted without the second ruins that are on the ground? Is that a more 'straightforward' interpretation of the scene without including them?

 

[mbisc]

Wonderful set -- love #3 best probably!

Not that it really matters, but what equipment did you use? Also, not sure it matters if you use "Ansel Adams' tripod marks in the sand" as long as the final image matches your artistic vision...

 

[x-ray]

#3 & 4 are very nice. As said before it's nice to see something different.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Was using a Leica M9, and lenses included a new 50/2 Summicron, a 35/1.7 Voigtlander Ultron, and a 21/4 Voigtlander. Shot RAW+JPEG Basic so I could get an idea of what the shot looked like in b+w.

After having seen results from the Leica M Monochrom, I think I'll be 'upgrading' to that soon!

 

[Vince Lupo]

Another, probably less interesting view, but gives an idea of the site when you step back a bit...

 

[Dirk]

Picture #2 for me. I find all of them stunning, but I don't think I've seen the angle of picture #2 before. I can sympathize with you: how to put oyur own stamp on an oft-photographed subject is an eternal challenge.

 

[Paulbe]

Vince--great stuff!!
How did they get from the valley floor to the houses?
Thx..
Paul

 

[lynnb]

Lovely pictures! I like #1 and #3 the most, but all are noteworthy. #1 for the more classic composition and it shows both sets of ruins, and #3 because to me it best conveys the impression of the great weight of rock pressing down on the ruins.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[mbisc]

Vince--great stuff!!
How did they get from the valley floor to the houses?
Thx..
Paul

Ladders -- applies to a lot of cliff dwellings in the Southwest