- ~400 feet tall? Just estimating and can't seem to find any solid numbers online...
- On the other side of the Temple were a series of beautiful sandstone rocks which would've formed amazing foreground elements, but the view from that side wasn't nearly as impressive and would've lacked the wonderful sunset glow.
- 1/3 mile behind this is the Temple of the Moon
Capitol Reef: The Coolest National Park You've Never Heard Of (Explore #1, June 6th :)
Please View Large
My Portfolio and Photography Services
Just back from a 10-day trip through central Utah. Had some amazing light, saw some spectacular scenery, and got covered with so much orange dust it's not even funny.
Here's a shot of Temple of the Sun in Capitol Reef National Park in Central Utah. An absolute undiscovered gem of a park, Captiol Reef houses some of the most breathtaking and unique scenery of the Waterpocket Fold, a massive wrinkle in the Earth's surface. Towering cathedrals, slot canyons, never-ending vistas, volcanic remnants: this park has enough to keep a photographer busy for ages.
-----------------------------------
Tech notes on this photo
-----------------------------------
Nikon D7000
Tokina 12-24 f/4 at 12mm on a crop sensor
ISO250 to help shorten shutter speed as it was pretty dang windy out
f/8
1/50 sec
Lee 2-stop soft GND filter
Post-Processing
----------------------
In Raw Converter (Nikon Capture NX2)
- Processed single raw file twice: once for Temple and once for
foreground
- Global contrast for added pop
- Slight exposure and contrast increase to foreground
In Photoshop:
- Noise reduction via Neat Image
- Selective sharpening of foreground and Temple
- Minor curves adjustment to add local contrast to sagebrush
Thanks for your visits!
~Josh
Comments and faves
knudie, Ivan Makarov, Silent G Photography, loweryjes, and 139 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Joshua Cripps (24 months ago | reply)
Happy end to a happy day.
Dwood Photography (24 months ago | reply)
Indeed, I've never heard of it, but it sounds like a great place to visit. Nice capture...
~ Aaron Reed ~ (24 months ago | reply)
Woah! What a cool ass rock!
Jeffrey Sullivan (24 months ago | reply)
I'm surprised that it's accessible this time of year, and there's no snow. To get here did you cross the river or come over the mountain? When I visited I was alone and there was a note posted on the campground about a recent mountain lion sighting. Of course no one stuck around to see the big kitty. There must have been 120 deer nearby though, probably why the cat was around! Needless to say, I didn't do any night shooting on that visit.
Lukas Wenger Photography (24 months ago | reply)
Very cool! I've seen it on the map and wondered what was there. Now I know.
Toksam (24 months ago | reply)
Crystal sharp one dude :)
brianr_001 (24 months ago | reply)
Nice shot, Josh. I spent a day in Capitol Reef, and have wanted to get back there to spend some more time since then.
Koveh Photography (24 months ago | reply)
This place is actually really nice in the fall as well.=) Great shot from here.
knudie (24 months ago | reply)
The foreground exposure on this is fantastic. Nice job!!!
mojo2u (24 months ago | reply)
Cool shot!!
Garrett Costanzo Photo (24 months ago | reply)
Great shot. I've actually been scouting this place waiting to make a visit. Love the natural tones and comp. I'll have to make note of this spot.
Dene' Miles (24 months ago | reply)
Nice! You and Guy both got some sweet light! Love the chillin shot too :)
D Breezy - davidthompsonphotography.com (24 months ago | reply)
this turned out sweet man. this rock looks amazing............and real tall. that light is looking really sweet, nice detail all over this image. nice work man.
Ivan Makarov (24 months ago | reply)
Located like an hour away from where my in-laws live - but I've yet to visit it.
Looking forward to seeing the trip through the images you post.
Jeff Swanson -- www.interfacingnature.com (24 months ago | reply)
Very cool feature! I have oft wondered what riches lie in something that was called a "reef" but was miles away from any sizeable body of water...
Looking forward to what else you'll share!
Silent G Photography (24 months ago | reply)
Very nice, Joshua!! Great comp and perfect light.
loweryjes (24 months ago | reply)
love it!
Bryan Bzdula Photography (24 months ago | reply)
I love this shot! Capital Reef is an amazing place that doesn't get the recognition of Utahs bigger parks.
Lightvision [光視覺] (24 months ago | reply)
cool shot Josh
Ivan Sohrakoff (24 months ago | reply)
Sounds like a killer trip, Joshua. I like the fact that you are doing some exploring and found a hidden treasure. Awesome subject, and a very intriguing photo location. Nice work.
Michael Bollino (24 months ago | reply)
That fin of rock is out of control! The thing just begs to be shot. I've never been to C.R. but have heard some great things. Most of the images I've seen have been from one of the overlooks. Really digging this on the ground/ in your face comp from the place!
jeandayphoto (24 months ago | reply)
You did a great job of capturing the scale here. I just visited the first time in April and only for an overnight...yes, there is a lot to be seen here!
Lance Rudge (24 months ago | reply)
Awesome landscape Joshua! very unique.
Tom Lussier Photography (24 months ago | reply)
Very nice work. Love the scale of this. :)
Tootsiekat / kathy (24 months ago | reply)
Love to lighting here Joshua.
Photofox1958 (24 months ago | reply)
Beautiful light and DOF.. Oh nice Jeep
Yan Photography (24 months ago | reply)
Great lighting and impressive rocks, great job, Josh!
AGrinberg (24 months ago | reply)
Cool - that place is great. Not overcrowded, like some parks. So much to explore.
Neil Kremer (24 months ago | reply)
Congratulations on EXPLORE....Click H E R E if you have time to see the lights...
vpanicker (24 months ago | reply)
Nice depth of field and light
lssdfx (24 months ago | reply)
Outstanding image !!
Le pot-ager - Un bleu chez les vieux :-) (24 months ago | reply)
Congrats on Explore !
Daveevan (24 months ago | reply)
Excellent
forurglory (24 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot and composition.What a place.
Sprengben [why not get a friend] (24 months ago | reply)
This is magnificent! You really deserve Explore! Come on over to my latest shot if you like. www.flickr.com/photos/sprengben/5799480339/
Dawn Woodhouse (24 months ago | reply)
well thank you for bringing us armchair tourists your views of this far flung place so we can see it
congrats on explore!
Via Today's Explore at #29 on Fluidr
Ostholländer (24 months ago | reply)
I like the landscape in this great shot.
~~~congrats on Explore~~~
jssteak (24 months ago | reply)
How very nice. Well done man and congrats.
Sealis (24 months ago | reply)
Nice scene!
Ray Bradshaw. (24 months ago | reply)
Impressive
atenciophoto (24 months ago | reply)
Hopefully you stayed to see the sunrise glow on this sucker. It is all BLM land just over the dry river you cross to get to where you're parked, and can pretty much camp wherever on BLM land. Glad you got to explore this park, as many people drive right through from Bryce to Moab.
Excalibur67 (24 months ago | reply)
de toute beauté
--
Seen on fr.mg41.mail.yahoo.com (?)
tobey308 (24 months ago | reply)
sounds like you had a blast... cool rock formation!
This photo was invited and added to the [ Wonders of Nature ] group.
Joshua Cripps (24 months ago | reply)
Thanks, guys! This is such a cool place I'm glad I could bring back an image to share.
Bill Ratcliffe (24 months ago | reply)
Great shot man... I've heard many great things about this park... sad that I'm only a couple of hours away and haven't been..
kiwi5555 (24 months ago | reply)
awesome shot!
_SG_ (24 months ago | reply)
fantastic capture!
[ via flickriver explore --_SG_ ]
Shawn S. Park (24 months ago | reply)
Nice composition and great shot!
Beth Walsh Photography (24 months ago | reply)
Nice composition!
Justin Smith - Photography (24 months ago | reply)
Excellent light on the rock, and a good foreground bush. I've heard of the park but this is the first I've seen a shot from here on Flickr. Very nice!