Phill Monson's photostream  

So... winter has been mild to say the least. Last year Utah was above 170% for snow while we are only at about 65% now. We did get some good storms in this weekend, but it still didn't produce the amount I had hoped for when I got up in the AM to go get this shot. Still, the clearing storm added some nice clouds by the mountain, and I was pretty happy with my shot.

In other news Ireland is on like Donkey Kong- 1st week of May now, but it's a done deal. I have about two pages full of all the places I want to shoot- I wish I had a month there...

Thanks for looking and for any comments.

While the sun was getting higher and the shooting getting less, I saw these cool patterns and light on the Wahweap Hoodoos. This is a detail shot of them and I thought it really looked like elephant skin with the texture and color. This is one place I will head back to for sure. Thanks for looking and for any comments.

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Hello flickr friends- Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season, and that the New Year has started off well.

I had this trip planned down to Moab for some time- i recently discovered an awesome location called the Fisher Towers, and couldn't wait to get down to shoot it with some snow. This winter has been, shall I say, lacking in the snow department unfortunately, and it doesn't seem to be improving anytime soon. Despite the no snow, I went anyway and started shooting. I was about an hour before sunset, so i was scouting locations and what not when out of nowhere this monster rain storm came up behind me. I was drenched by the time I got back to my car and covered in red mud. I thought I would wait it out, but no such luck, it was dark grey skies as far as the eye could see. While stormy conditions usually make for great shooting conditions, this was not that kind of storm- zero light, flat skies, and lots of rain. I decided to throw in the towel and head back into Moab. Of course to my "not" surprise, as this is what usually happens to me, the sky was going off around the Canyonlands area about 50 miles away- way to far for me to make it and catch any good remaining light.

In trying to keep my hopes up, I figured this storm will break in the morning, leaving me with "epic" conditions for sunrise. Nope. By some miracle, the storm came when I didn't want it, and was completely gone when I did want it. I have consigned myself to the fact that clouds and good light hate me.

Anyway...this is a shot from Dead Horse Point, about one of three decent shots I was able to get this weekend. Must keep a positive attitude ha ha. Please let me know your thoughts and ideas on this one!

On that note, the wife has agreed to let me go to Ireland for a week in April for photography and I can't wait! Here is to good light - Phill

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and is looking forward to a great New Year!

Horseshoe Bend is quickly becoming the next icon of the Southwest, next to Delicate and Mesa Arch. It seems like better and better shots come from here all the time. I am of course not counting this as one of the best, but as an iconic place, I had to get it as I drove past on my way to yet another icon, the Antelope Slot Canyons. I found that twilight was the best to shoot here as when the sun comes up the canyon is in deep shadow while the top is blown out- twilight gives a nice, even light and glow to the rocks. I would love to shoot this under a half moon at night come to think of it. Anyway, why do I bring up icons? it seems this year of 2011 has been filled with them, and not that they are bad, they have just all been done before. Of course these are the "must have" type shots, and I will continue to get them if I am able (Yosemite is calling my name...) but for 2012, I want to focus on the not-so-well-known places in the Southwest that don't have lines of photogs. Not that I am trying to be stuck up about it, I am just ready to set myself apart and see new things. Of course, it is safe to say that there is not much left that hasn’t been photographed, I just think there are places that have not been photographed to death that are just as wonderful as these icons are. Not sure if this will be my last image of 2011 (depends on if we get some snow or not) but if it is, Happy Holidays to you all, a safe and happy new year, and here is to finding the new icons. Cheers.