Mountain Sheep Canyon – Convergence

Convergence, Mountain Sheep Canyon, Navajo Lands. Shot with a Sony α900 and a Sony SAL 20mm lens. Image exposed at ISO 100 at f16 for 1/2 of a second.

Hi everyone and welcome to today’s post. This image is from Mountain Sheep Canyon on the Navajo Reservation. This shot is all about the idea of leading lines. I have written about leading lines in past postings as a compositional element to help draw the viewer into the image and then “lead” them through the shot. Leading lines can be subtle references such as a line of trees or groups of rocks or they can be quite obvious as in this shot. The shot was taken in a very narrow section of the canyon. The sky was so bright overhead that a shot inside the narrow area was impossible. I was still getting some nice bounced and reflected light but needed a different viewpoint. The compositional solution was to get higher and shoot down the slot. This was easier said then done and took me about 20 minutes to shimmy up and locate the tripod. I am really not more than about 6 feet up but the change in camera position viewpoint was significant. From here I could really accentuate the sandstone striations on both walls and allow a convergence of the lines with the path. Normally I like to have my leading lines lead to the main point of the image. Here the leading lines are the main point. The sheer feeling of movement along the layered compression of sandstone is my main subject. The lines draw you in from the bottom of the shot and lead you down the path. But while the lines are the subject I have allowed the viewer a door to get out. The lines all converge on a single, subtle glow of light. The light at the end of the path. The light that draws you forward to something new. Beyond that light are new discoveries to be made.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Bob