Every landscape photographer knows the feeling: you notice that conditions look promising for an epic sunset so you skip dinner, and drive to a location you’ve had in your back pocket for a day just like this. You arrive and shoulder your pack with high hopes for a spectacular sunset only to be disappointed when the conditions that brought you out just sort of…fizzle. Nature doesn't always play by our rules.
Just last weekend in the Moab backcountry, I found myself in exactly that situation. I had positioned myself at a waterfall with a commanding view of sandstone spires, waiting for the light to strike. Unfortunately, the dark clouds that had gathered in the sky above the scene drifted out of the frame toward the west just before the light was about to explode onto the scene. It quickly became clear that "Plan A" was a bust.
Instead of calling it a day, I decided to pivot.
I hurriedly packed up my gear and headed to a nearby alternative: a striking, gravity-defying sandstone hoodoo I’d discovered a few years prior and had recently shot multiple times. As I arrived, the conditions shifted drastically. A powerful storm was rolling through, and the dramatic, brooding clouds began to catch the final, fleeting moments of the evening’s golden light.
I named the final photograph A Fragile Balance.
Here is the story behind how this image came together, and how pre-visualization and location scouting saved the day.
The Importance of Having a Photographic "Plan B"
When you are shooting landscape photography in Moab, flexibility is your greatest asset. The desert weather can change in a matter of minutes—especially when a storm is brewing.
Because I have spent years exploring and guiding clients throughout the Moab area, I already knew this hoodoo intimately. I had scouted it, photographed it in different seasons, light and conditions. I knew its exact orientation to the setting sun.
When my first location failed, I didn't waste precious time figuring out where to go or what to do next. I knew this hoodoo was just minutes away and that it would perfectly capture the dramatic mood of the developing storm sky.
Composition and Pre-Visualization: Beating the Clock
By the time I scrambled up the rocky red slope to the hoodoo, I knew I only had a few minutes—maybe less—before the best of the light vanished.
This is where pre-visualization and advanced preparation pay off. Because I had shot this location before, there was no guesswork involved:
Lens Selection: I knew I’d be using my Sigma 14-24mm wide-angle lens to capture the towering scale of the hoodoo while simultaneously keeping the rugged background cliffs and sweeping storm clouds in the frame.
Composition: I positioned myself low among the foreground boulders, using the natural slope of the ridge to lead the viewer’s eye up toward the balancing rock. This angle emphasizes the "fragile balance" of the massive boulder perched precariously atop its sandstone pedestal.
Managing the Light: I had to work quickly to balance the warm, golden glow striking the red rock with the deep, moody blues and purples of the storm clouds above. I underexposed by two stops to retain highlight detail, knowing I’d be able to bring up the shadows in Lightroom without introducing any noise.
I had just enough time to lock down my composition and make a few images. Within minutes, the light faded, the sky darkened, and the magic moment was gone.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Moab Photography Trip
If you want to capture unique, compelling images of the Utah desert, keep these three tips in mind:
Never Stop Scouting: Don't just scout for your primary shot. Look for nearby secondary compositions that work well under different lighting conditions (e.g., one spot for a clear sunrise, another for dramatic storm clouds).
Know Your Gear Intuitively: When conditions change rapidly, you can't afford to fumble with lens changes or camera settings. Know what focal length a scene requires before you even take your camera out of the bag.
Embrace the Pivot: Don't get discouraged when the weather doesn't cooperate with your original vision. Some of the best landscape photographs happen when you are forced to adapt to unexpected conditions.
Technical Breakdown
Camera: Sony A7IV
Lens: Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art @ 14.8mm
Tripod: Peak Design Pro Tripod Tall
ISO: 100
Settings: 1/6s @ f/13
Backpack: Shimoda Explore V2 30
Want to Learn How to Chase the Light in Moab?
Predicting desert light and knowing exactly where to stand when a storm hits takes time and experience. If you want to skip the guesswork and photograph some of the most spectacular, off-the-beaten-path locations around the red rock country, join me for a personalized, Private Moab Photography Workshop. Whether you want to master wide-angle compositions or learn Adobe Lightroom techniques to bring your images to life, I’ll help you break through creative barriers and capture your own portfolio-worthy desert images.