If you’ve been to the Grand Canyon and thought it was cool, the Horseshoe Bend of Glen Canyon is just as cool if not cooler.
It doesn’t compare to the scale of the Grand Canyon and there isn’t as much to do, but the subject matter itself is something to behold. I wasn’t there at the best time of day but I was able to get a couple of nice HDR photos out of it. I was also fortunate to have some nice clouds to decorate the sky. This place could probably produce some amazing photos if shot at the perfect time of year during the perfect time of day. Which is what photography is really all about right?
One of the most important things I’ve learned recently about trying to make photos real HDR landscapes, is you literally have to turn the strength in Photomatix all the way down. Close to zero if not at zero. This one was on zero. Another challenge with the Grand Canyon or the Horseshoe Bend not losing your contrast through the atmosphere on the farther canyon walls. I try not to overdo it, but I’ll usually go in with a gradient filter or brush in Lightroom and just enhance them a little. Helps make a little more of an even contrast throughout the image.
