Zabriskie Point Sunrise

[Jim Dockery]

I wasn't happy a couple years ago when we arrived in DV to find Zabriskie Pt. was closed for renovations. It wasn't until we were ready to leave that I realized it was a perfect opportunity to have the place to myself. I had my wife drop me off at the closed road in the dark, then I just walked up past the parking area to shoot sunrise. She drove around to Golden Canyon, took a nap, then hiked up to meet me as I came down.

Dawn Pano

First Light on the mountains

My shadow at sunrise

Sun & Shadows

 

[BarryHamilton]

Nice stuff, Jim. Perhaps a little too much saturation for my normal taste, but I like 'em! Especially like the last! Really cool light and shadow play there!

 

[Ben Egbert]

Wow Jim, we could have a Zebrowski marathon this week. I really like this set and the 2nd is the standout. Saturation is fine to my eyes.

Well I really like the 3rd too.

 

[AlanLichty]

That's one way to beat the crowds. I like the second image with the first light on the mountains.

The one time I was there for a sunrise there was a line of photographers on the ridge overlooking the primary feature. I finally turned around and shot the photographers shooting Zabriskie Point just for grins.

 

[Tom Narwid]

I wasn't happy a couple years ago when we arrived in DV to find Zabriskie Pt. was closed for renovations. It wasn't until we were ready to leave that I realized it was a perfect opportunity to have the place to myself. I had my wife drop me off at the closed road in the dark, then I just walked up past the parking area to shoot sunrise. She drove around to Golden Canyon, took a nap, then hiked up to meet me as I came down.

Dawn Pano

First Light on the mountains

My shadow at sunrise

Sun & Shadows

Very nice set Jim...I like them all.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Nice set. While most people focus on the iconic wide composition, the possibilities are endless esp the textures and colors. The second is an interesting portrait orientation take on the scene.

 

[Zeph]

The"Sun & Shadows" (4) shot takes the cake on this series, just stunning Jim...

 

[Artur Stanisz]

I like the last one the most.

 

[Jeffrey]

I like the second and fourth ones. Nice imaging, Jim.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

My favorite is the second one. Too bad you didn’t have some clouds. If so it would be a 12 on a 10 point scale.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Jim,

Wow, what a great set! Well worth a little walking. I think my favorites are #4 followed by #2, but all of them are really good.

I like your processing on them, I think you have just the right amount of saturation as the colors can really glow with the right light.

 

[Jim Dockery]

Thanks for all the replies. As one of my hiking buddies ribs me, these are certainly derivative of an iconic view, but it's iconic for a reason - it is undeniably beautiful. I love our national parks, which are often built around such places, but have been more attracted to less traveled areas outside them lately to escape the crowds. That morning I was there to take pictures, but the serendipity of having ZP all to myself made it more of a spiritual experience.