Every once in a while I stumble across a spectacular location while out hiking, mountain biking or four wheeling.  Dirt roads that wander away from the pavement pique my curiosity and more often than not, I follow them.  This is why I own a four wheel drive.

Such was the case on the day I discovered this unnamed, unmarked view looking south into Shafer Canyon with the Abajo Mountains way off on the horizon.  I saw a dirt road.  My truck instinctively swerved onto it.  The first time I saw this view I knew it had great potential.  I snapped a couple iPhone photos for my “shoot list”, walked the rim in both directions for a few hundred feet and committed the best location to memory.  I knew it would be good at sunset and I knew I’d need a cloud filled sky for a dynamic image.  When it looked as though the conditions were going to cooperate I pointed my truck down that desolate dirt road.

Sunset light was good.  Very good.  Unfortunately, I missed it by a couple of minutes because another dirt road grabbed my attention and I dawdled too long there.  But the real show came after sunset, when the last hints of sunshine flooded the canyon with warm light bouncing off the clouds.  I photographed this scene in a totally giddy state.  Killer views and gorgeous light do that to me.  When finished, I hustled home in the falling darkness to download and process the images with a huge smile stretched across my face.

I don’t make very many of my images available as a print – only what I consider the best of the best.  I’m excited to announce that this image is now available as a fine art print, canvas wrap or archival print in sizes up to 32″ x 48″.  Please visit my website if you are interested in ordering a print of “Sunset Light in Shafer Canyon, Utah”.