Cathedral Rock, Sedona

Cathedral Rock, SedonaSedona, Arizona This photograph was made in Sedona, looking toward Cathedral Rock, one of the most photographed landmarks in the Southwest. It was my first and only trip to Sedona as of the time of this writing, and while I tend to avoid places this well documented, Sedona earns its reputation. It forces you to think differently. The terrain, the light, and the sheer density of recognizable formations demand intention. Rather than step back and frame

while the Sierra del Carmen mountains rise quietly in the distance

a shared anticipation that people bring with them when they arrive

the drop below is significant

This photograph was made during the same early expedition that produced my original Alien Throne masterwork

revealing texture rather than dramatic contrast

and the surface can change dramatically depending on wind and moisture

can sometimes become visible here

The contrast between the fragile petals and the hostile structure that supports them was enough

Agave plants thrive here

The area now known as Big Bend National Park holds evidence of human presence dating back more than 8

using a 600mm lens

This became one of the most difficult focus-stacked images I’ve worked on