Canyon Embers
Capitol Reef National Park
I'm always chasing those first moments of light in the morning. This scene in Capitol Reef is a perfect example of why. When I was there, the canyon was still deep in shadow, but the sun was just starting to crest the cliffs, hitting the tops of these cottonwood trees. On the back of the camera, it didn't look like much, just a high-contrast scene. But I knew the potential was there. The fall light in this part of Utah has a certain quality to it, a warmth that makes the yellow leaves feel like they're glowing from within. I just had to wait for that moment and trust that I could bring out the subtle details later on.