A couple weeks ago I spent a few days exploring Sedona, Arizona by foot, mountain bike and vehicle. One evening I walked out to an area known as Secret Slickrock intent on photographing sunset on Cathedral Butte reflected in a large pothole filled with rainwater. What I discovered upon cresting the final hill that overlooks Secret Slickrock is that, in fact, there is nothing at all secret about this spot. No fewer than three engagement and/or portrait sessions were in full swing. Photographers had multiple light stands set up, including one on each side of the pothole I’d hoped to photograph. A young woman was seated on a ledge playing guitar and singing (she was actually quite talented) and throngs of tourists and their dogs wandered all about the area. I had clearly stumbled into a (very scenic) tourist trap.
I had to make a decision. I’d come for a specific photo that I immediately realized wasn’t going to be possible. I could either leave and scramble to find another location for sunset or I could open my mind, get creative and try to make some lemonade. I chose the latter and frankly, I’m damn glad I did.
I spotted a small prickly pear cactus that had improbably sprouted near the edge of a small cliff and began to explore various compositions. I discovered that from a very low perspective I could sort of frame Cathedral Butte with a couple of the cactus pads, while also adding interest to the plain Jane blue sky. Unfortunately, my Induro tripod isn’t so good at limbo. For my chosen composition the camera had to be almost on the ground. I tried stacking a couple small stones on which I could precariously balance the lens but that improvised platform failed miserably. If I wanted the photo I’d have to resort to handholding the camera while lying on my side, near the edge of a cliff and precariously close to a plant with long, razor sharp needles. I would have to do this while shooting at f/22 and focusing precisely to ensure sufficient depth of field, while craning my neck to kind of see the composition through the viewfinder. I fired off a couple dozen frames, blowing most of them because the camera wasn’t level, or focus was off, or the cactus merged with the butte, or exposure was too dark or too bright. Luckily, one of the frames somehow managed to nail everything and, as a bonus, I didn’t fall off a cliff (something I’ve already done once in Sedona and spent several months recovering from) nor did I puncture myself with a cactus needle. Major win!
Afterwards I hiked around, exploring several different compositions and creating a few more unique images away from the crowds at an area that is very heavily photographed. I came back the following morning and had the entire area to myself for over an hour at sunrise. Secret Slickrock reminded me of how important it is to be flexible, adaptable and creative as an artist. It’s okay to visit a location with a specific composition in mind but if it doesn’t work out, pivot. It’s time to get creative. It might just be time to lay down in the dirt and risk a cactus jab.
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