Techniques, Tips, Trips, and Musings about my Work

First light breaks on Wukoki Ruin, Wupatki National Monument. Shot with a Sony α900 and a Zeiss 24-70mm at 24mm, ISO 100, f16 at 1/2 second.

Today’s image was shot at Wupatki National Monument in Arizona. Located between Flagstaff, Arizona and Cameron along Highway 89, Wupatki preserves the ruins of red sandstone pueblos built by farming Ancestral Puebloan People between 1120 and 1250. The Wukoki Pueblo is one of the best preserved sites and is sited on a small hill affording fantastic views towards the San Francisco Peaks.

This picture is all about scouting and pre visualizing the shot. I knew where the sun would rise and was looking for a position to capture the light as it first broke across the ruin. I spotted the slabs of stone and realized there was an open position underneath that could form a shooting window that would frame the ruin. I arrived well before sunrise and positioned the camera in the alcove of sandstone. As sunrise approached I took several test exposures to be sure of my exposure and composition. As the sun rose and started to light the ruin the inner walls of the sandstone fins began to glow as well, a surprise I did not expect. It was a truly beautiful sunrise that morning. I imagined the ancients would have agreed with me. For more information on Wupatki National Monument please visit www.nps.gov/wupa/