“The Watchman” : Zion National Park Fine Art

Description

This is the definitive Zion National Park fine art print you have been waiting for. “The Watchman” captures one of the most iconic landscapes in America in a way that very few photographers ever get to experience. This is a testament to the fact that the greatest shots are often found in the most difficult and unexpected moments – well not this one. It was pretty much a layup for a spot that you had to jockey for a spot. But the unique part of the shot was the 3D effect that the time of the day, weather and ND filter got me.
The Canyon Junction Bridge that crosses the Virgin River is one of the most photographed spots in Zion National Park, and it’s usually lined with photographers every single day at sunset. My entire approach is to avoid the crowds and capture a moment of pure, uninterrupted nature. On this day, a sudden snowstorm was moving through southern Utah, preceded by freezing cold weather. I was traveling through scenic Zion and noticed that due to the storm, the bridge was largely empty with the crappy weather in comparison to most times.
With a quick stop and my ND (neutral density) filter still on the lens, then setting up the camera for the blurred 3D look that the lens afforded me, I grabbed this shot. The long exposure with the extra dark filter smoothed the Virgin River into a silky ribbon, and the clouds turned into feathered wisps, making the entire scene feel serene and otherworldly and a 3D look. I had an iconic spot pretty much all to myself that I normally don’t, and the result is a truly unique piece of Zion National Park fine art that brings the quiet majesty of the canyon into your home. You can read a little more about The Story of The Watchman Fine Art Print here.