I often have the opportunity to show my clients some of the most beautiful places in America. One such place that always manages to take my breath away is Arches National Park. The park is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, making it a favorite destination for landscape photographers.
On a recent outing to Arches National Park, I took my clients to Balanced Rock to capture the sunrise. It was a chilly morning, but the anticipation of seeing the sunrise made it worth the effort. We arrived at the park well before dawn, ensuring that we had plenty of time to set up our equipment and get into position.
There would be no stunning sunrise however, as the park was shrouded in a thick layer of fog. The sun had not yet risen above the horizon, but it was already creating a strong glow through the fog. We were the only ones there at the time, and the peacefulness of the surroundings was remarkable.
Even better! A lovely sunrise is common in Arches, but a thick fog is unique. We quickly set up our cameras and began to take photos in an effort to capture the moment before the fog cleared. The light passing through the fog turned everything blue, creating a surreal and enchanting atmosphere. It was a photographer’s dream, and we took advantage of the serene environment to capture some stunning shots of the formations.
As the sun began to rise and the fog started to break, we moved to a rock outcrop a few hundred yards away to capture a time-lapse video of the sunrise behind the rock formations. The fog continued to move through the scene as the sun rose and passed behind one of the large monoliths, creating a mesmerizing effect.
Within 30 minutes of the sunrise, the fog had lifted, and the area was full of people. The light was now harsh, and it was clear that we had timed our arrival perfectly. We were able to capture the best possible shots of the formations, unobstructed by crowds of tourists.
It takes effort and dedication to capture truly special moments like this, but the rewards are worth it. My clients were thrilled with the photos they captured that morning, and I was proud to have been a part of it. Learn more about my Arches National Park Photography Tours.