Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Echo Canyon, Plaza Blanca and Bandolier Nat Monument


On Day 4 of the New Mexico Adventure with Steve Gottleib we headed out of Chama and to Echo Canyon. It was another blue sky New Mexico morning. While the group headed toward the main attraction, The Echo part of the canyon; I set up to capture the opening shot above, yes from the parking lot. So if it looks great who knows? I loved the sage in the foreground illuminated by the morning light and the way the the tops of the canyon walls step down to the butte in the distance topped off by a cloud.

From Echo Canyon we headed on to Plaza Blanca. This is truly a magical place. The landscape is so grand, it is almost better from a distance. We hiked into the canyon area and up a dry wash. I once again, found my own way up the hillside to an elevation point where I could get a better perspective. I spent a lot of time just looking. With my beach eyes, I spotted the remains of some aspen leaves which had been trapped as the flowing waters receded. So I made a shot. I loved the combination of the dry with the idea of flowing water that left impressions in the sand. I toned this image B&W in Nik Silver Efex 2 and then brushed back in some of the faded color on the Aspen leaves in a layer in Photoshop.
Next stop was Bandolier National Monument. I hiked the main loop trail and made a few shots. What a place!

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