Before heading to Red Rock Crossing we drove up the hill to the airport's overlook. From there you can see a wide swath of Sedona. It was midday . . . so . . . well, the light was not the best! But, after a fair amount of grousing about the light, you have to admit that at least one person in the group was up to the challenge!
Our goal in going to Red Rock Crossing was to capture some fall yellows, reflections and maybe a clever closeup or two . . . against the gorgeous backdrop of Cathedral Rock. A bonus would be a great golden hour, turning the rock a brilliant fiery orange that reflected back onto Oak Creek. We will leave it to our viewers to decide if we got what we went for. For us? Well, when ten friends get together with a common interest in photography the outcome is usually memorable.
A view seldom shot.
Doreen started by showing off color wrapping the parking area in gold. I looked up at the iconic Cathedral Rack and was disappointed. Doreen turned around and looked back. I like Doreen's perspective better than mine!
One perspective taken earlier in the afternoon. Below another one taken three hours later.
Another interpretation.
Not all is red rock.
Barbara breaks the rules about leading lines.
Rick has angels that deliver the sun just where he asks . . . .
Kati had a good strategy. She went 'light' with only one camera and one lens, her macro lens. She was taking her time and working each and every shot. I think she was in a meditative state!!
Another view.
You know something is up when you spot a line of photographers with their black noses all pointed in the same direction, such as we have above and below. What you don't know is how many 'interpretations' of the scene you will get. Enjoy them all.
Our hikers took up the trail to the top of the Cathedral Rock. They mentioned one mile and then said it was a bit like Piestewa Peak. That meant it was 'arduous', difficult, and definitely not meant for the ordinary person unprepared for that kind of hike. Their images were awesome!!
Now that is a very new perspective of Cathedral Rock! Thanks Ann.
Uh? That is a tough path.
I think Greg took this of Ann with her iPod Touch (her camera for the day). She certainly offers a sense of scale!! Quite the view.
Nice comparison with the images taken from the airport's viewpoint.
Wayfinding rock.
Ah Lefty. I see that Ann has a new perch for you on Buddha Beach!
If you hike up the creek far enough you come to a forest of cairns. Hundreds of them!! I believe the area is referred to as Buddha Beach. I was told it is very bad karma to steal a rock from someone else's cairn creation.
When one runs out of ground real estate the cairn is placed up in trees!
This house is right behind the bank where everyone wants to stand for the iconic Golden Hour shot of Cathedral Rock.
As the Golden Hour settled in we were able to capitalize on that precious gold and get in a few more shots that really emphasizes the gold.
"If you are the last one leaving the creek, please dim the lights. Thank you."