At The Gates

Of all the National Parks that I have ever visited in the US, ArchesNP is without a doubt the most iconic one. Millions of photographshave been shot here, and to come up with something different is noteasy. That does not mean one shouldn't try though, and I personallygreatly enjoy thinking of new possibilities to photograph iconic subjects.

Double Arch is one of them. When you're standing below this imposingmarvel of nature, it's hard to not be impressed by the size and thebeauty of this amazing structure. From my research for my visit toArches, I learned that 99.9% of all the images of this arch are moreor less taken from the same viewpoint. I'm sure one of the reasons forthis is that you need some distance to get the whole thing to fitinside your frame - standing inside the arch is not going to work.Unless of course you have a 14mm on a full frame camera. :-) But eventhen it was tough to find a position where I could get all theopenings and the lines at the right places - it only worked with avertical composition. I was fine with that, because the vast majorityof images taken of this arch are all horizontals.

I also decided to photograph the arch at night and to bring out thedetails and colors by using a flashlight. The advantage of doing thisalso meant that there would be stars, and stars are nice. I wanted toinclude part of the Milky Way, which meant that I had only a veryshort window of time to take the shot. These decisions were all veryimportant in order to create something original, but the mostimportant one for me was to include a human figure. It brings the shotto life and it acts as a vital scale element. The fact that mostlandscape photographers don't like humans in their pictures is alwaysa nice bonus when you're trying to create something original. :-)

This was shot three years ago as a double exposure - one for the skywith my lovely assistant, one for the light painting. We tried toshoot it again with our group on this year's Arches Under The Starsworkshop, but the weather gods did not want to cooperate. They gaveuse snow the next day though, so that made up for that. :-)

If you would like to join me on our next Arches Under The Starsworkshop, please check out my website for more information, picturesand tour impression video clips: squiver (dot) com

Hope to see you there!

Marsel

Marsel,  This is a wow, love the composition, beautiful quality throughout, the addition of the figure in the distance really gives majesty and grandness to the arch formations. Execellent work great detail and the sky totally completes this capture.  Best Regards,  Sherry

Wonderful...

Excellent.

Molto bella !

quite impressive, great composition and the figure in the lower arch is a bonus

Very impressive. The human element is a great addition also. Very nice.

Marsel,   Wow, this is incredible.  You have captured and created a rock sculpture of nature.  Yes, the person in the image with the light on him/her makes the image come alive.  The textures and lighting on the rock is superb.  The impact of the stars must have blown you away.  Excellent eye and creative composition too. Best to you.  Larry

Very impressive!

nice shot

You certainly succeeded in your efforts. Beautiful image.

It seems like I've seen Double-Arch under the stars more than any other shot from Arches over the past five years or so.  Easily hundreds of attempts I can recall.   For many reasons though, this is the best of them.  I can't think of a vertical perspective quite like this and of course, the positioning of the figure could not possibly be better.  Very impressive rendition that gives scale, power and mystery to this amazing scenery. 

Great capture my friend, bravo!  Cheers!

great composition and lighting/exposure, the person in the background adds just that extra bit that makes it awesome

masterpiece! never saw something quiet like this from this place, amazing composition and lightning! well done Marsel! 

A simply amazing image!  I don't think I can add more than what everyone else has mentioned.  We were at this parkin the spring, but chose not to stay up late like this.  I am regretting that now having seen the image potential you have shown.  Wonderful image, Marsel.

Paul

Great image Marsel

Excellent and impressive masterpiece.

EXCELLENT!

Perfect

 

Ali

One of the most remarkable shots I've seen of Arches!  Adding the human element accentuates the scale and grandeur of the formations and really enhances the image.  Thanks so much for your description of your method.  I'd love to know more about the light painting.....how long your exposure was and how you were able to generate enough light on the rocks from so far away.  I had my first exposure to light painting a while back, and I'm fascinated by the technique.  Thanks!