Kodachrome Basin is a land of many colors, and textures; and though not large, it is filled with geological treasures. You are welcome to count them, but the state park folks will assure you that there are 67 monolithic stone spires called sedimentary pipes to be found within the boundaries of their domain. These intriguing features accent the multi-tonal strata of the surrounding ridges, and together they give rise to the name penned to the land by a 1948 National Geographic Society Expedition. Pinion pines, stunted by the desert conditions in which they grow, cling to outcrops and add to the feeling of struggle and tenacity.
A focal length of 300mm created a fairly narrow angle-of-view and some compression and magnification of the elements. An aperture of f/20 provided depth-of-field, and a shutter speed of 1/25th second at ISO 100 gave me an overall medium exposure. The palette of red/orange, white, green and blue became a wonderful tonal realm of black and white.
When Paul Simon scribed the words to his song, Kodachrome, he opined with a line “everything looks worse in black and white.” The beauty of Kodachrome Basin State Park makes legitimate the debate as to whether this sentiment is catagorically true.
Howdy Don, while I love the desert Southwest in it’s beautiful complementary warm sandstone and cool royal blue skies, I have a passion for B&W images and the bareness of the landscape really sings without the distractions of colors. Love the way you placed the dark tree against the bright rock hill behind. And the Ansel Adams blackened sky with fluffy clouds. Thank you for sharing and your vision to see pass color to the bring out the inner essence.
Another area you reminded me I need to explore, B&W. Very rarely do I even consider it and usually it is at Elizabeth’s urging. This image lends itself well to B&W. I actually focus more on the layers than I would if it were in color so it brings my attention there. Also like the use of vertical composition as opposed to horizontal. Last, but not least, love the tree. It really adds to the scene. Of course, you had not control over that unless you considered content aware. 😉
Growing up (1950’s on) with Life magazine always in the house, B&W images were what I expected, and what I got with my first box camera (1959). I’m ok with them, even more than ok. Images like this one called out to me, and still do, “You have to travel to see this for yourself!” I love the massive upward sweep of diagonal energy in every feature. Thank you, Don.
Absolutly Love this image
I love black and white–beautiful image, Don.
In my humble opinion, B&W provides a perfect balance for the elements in this image … simple and very strong. Thanks for sharing, Don.
A beautiful composition for black and white. You made a star out of the tree by putting it center stage. Everything else is mimicking it either in shape, form or color. There are a lot of eyes in the foreground and the top of the cliff enjoying the scene. I don’t think that story can be told in color. I guess Paul Simon should see this.
Thanks for seeing, capturing, and sharing this.
Good morning Everyone. Thank you all very much for joining me for this conversation. Where better to offer a monochromatic image than in Kodachrome Basin. I recall the first visit I ever made to Kodachrome. We were between Escalante and Kanab and the map revealed that our journey across Cottonwood Canyon Road – a wonderful dirt track that very roughly parallels the Paria River – would take us right by the park. I have visited several times since then and have always found something wonderful to keep my attention. The joy of grayscale has only added to my appreciation of the color.
Howdy Michael. I hope the Rhode Island spring continues to offer its appeal. We were talking to friends in western Mass yesterday, and their report is that flowers there have been very plentiful and beautiful. Hope it’s the same for you. From the words you have shared with us I know that you appreciate exactly what I have said about Kodachrome Basin and the joy not only of its colors, but its monochrome potential, as well. When Nature reaches out to be helpful with compositional elements, the only response is to say ‘Thank you’ and to create accordingly. Be safe and well, my Friend.
Hey Key. Thanks for those excellent compositional reminders. It’s easy so get so caught up in all of the color – after all chromatic vision is such a great survival tool – that we overlook the lines, shapes, forms, etc. that can create such appealing imagery. Ansel didn’t really have too much of a choice, but we do; and the more we allow ourselves to take advantage of the possibility, the more well-rounded and powerful our work becomes. You are exactly right, the more you disregard the often-distracting element of color, the more the other elements are able to share themselves with us. Acadia will be a great place to enjoy this creative opportunity. Walk in Beauty, my Friend.
Howdy Donald. It’s always good to hear from you, wherever you are; and if you happen to be in the Southwest, I hope you’re having a great time! Those same Life magazine issues were found on the coffee table in our house in Athens, Georgia; and I looked at them with longing. Opportunities to compare the monochromes with the land itself – to respond to the voices to which you allude – were not all that common, but when they were offered, I took them in with pleasure and appreciation. Hope we can share some conversation soon; it’s been way too long. Be safe, my Friend.
Sara! In all of the years I have offered Image for the Asking, I believe this is the very first time you have joined us. That’s wonderful! I am delighted that this monochromatic image of a very colorful place has spoken to you. Thank you, I am honored. I appreciate your kind words and hope you will join us again. Please be safe and well.
Hi Lynne. Thank you for joining us and for those very kind words. As much as I adore the color of Eliot Porter, I am equally enthralled by the grayscale of Ansel Adams: one medium, two genres equals Beauty beyond question. We so enjoy our conversations with you and John. Be safe and well. Tea and coffee will be with us soon.
Ah Patricia. In all of the years I have had the pleasure of knowing you, I have never known your opinion to be humble, and it’s one of the many things I so love about you. If the face of all of the upheaval that has rightfully shaken our sleepy democracy, I look forward to a long conversation with you about where we are and, as Sir Elton John offered, “Where to now, Saint Peter?” I do appreciate your thoughtful words and look forward to breaking bread with you and Sue in October after Maine has lifted its two-week quarantine. Nature and Beauty will prevail. Take good care.
Nancy T. Where would we be without your wonderful stories? I must confess, that tree was a star long before I put it in front of a white sandstone ridge, but thank you for allowing me to claim it. Wouldn’t it be fun to take Paul along on an adventure to this place? Somehow it occurs to me that your stories are even more poignant and powerful in monochrome. Please continue to take good care of yourself, and Walk in Beauty.
Thanks, again, Everyone for all of your thoughtful comments. I am honored to have such a wonderful family of creative folks to share my journey. Take excellent care of yourselves and follow the Path of Beauty wherever it may go.
Don, not sure how I missed this last Sunday. Terrific image. The forms just nestle together like puzzle pieces, especially the clouds in that wonderfully dark sky. Have a good week.