Waiting For The Sun

Hiking in to Waimea Canyon offers an incredible array of options and photographic opportunities. Few people make the 3k vertical foot decent into the valley floor. And with good reason. The trail is not for the weak hearted as the drop is made in only 3 miles. With varying weather from very hot and dusty to flooding rain the trek can take on many different challenges.

Making our way up to our destination, Lonomea Canyon, a the trail split and elevated slightly our guide, Scott ([link]) and his client stopped to take in the view and thought there might be a shot there for me (they were VERY accommodating). As we sat watching the scene in front of us, the scope is hard to comprehend. The light however wasnt right at all. I turned to Scott and said...you know what would be perfect...if the light came through and just illuminated all the ridges to give some pop and depth to the scene. Not 5 min later it happened...the spotlight started high on the ridge in the back and started to drop. Then another beam. Before I knew it the trees on the hill were perfectly backlit. Talk about ask and receive! The tall green spires you see are the Agave's sprouting new growth and are about 20ft tall.

All in all, patience and a bit of luck wins again

P.S. This was a very complicated edit to maintain dynamic range. Bracketed then very very careful blended. Luminosity mask used to avoid the highlights when adding adjustment layer(s).

aF

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