49.7

Sandstone is nature's art medium. Formed in layers and sculpted by the elements, it comes in every shape and color. In the Vermilion Cliffs of southern Utah and northern Arizona, ancient winds created large sand dunes of alternating layers. Gravity and water caused them to flow and bend, creating swirls and folds like cream in coffee. The dunes eventually petrified. Now the forces of erosion are revealing the amazing patterns hidden within.

This is another image taken during what I call the "Salmon Light" phase of twilight. While dim, the light is very balanced and luminous during this time. Exposures of 30 seconds or more bring the glow to life. Some of my photography is done in high dynamic range light situations that require the blending of multiple exposures. When photographing in a high place with an open sky during twilight quite the opposite is true. The light in this scene was very soft, balanced and low dynamic range, well contained within a single exposure. Developing mostly involved bringing out contrast as well as color balance and saturation work and some dodging in the foreground areas.