My wife and I were out in Hurricane for a couples retreat, and neither of us was ready to head home to Las Vegas. So we stayed a little longer and drove into Zion.
Anyone who has been knows the parking there is its own kind of miracle. Somehow we landed a spot at exactly the right time of day.
We spent the afternoon poking around the shops and the area, then took the Watchman Trail as the light started to drop. That old bridge shot everyone used to get isn't an option anymore. So I did the next best thing. I got my feet wet, waded right into the Virgin River, and went looking for a composition nobody else was standing in.
As the sun slipped behind the horizon, it left one last glow on the Watchman. I dropped a six stop ND on and let the river go silky smooth.
Most people leave Zion with a photo that never quite matched what they were looking at. This is that afternoon, held still. If you have stood in the canyon at last light, this one will put you back in it. If you haven't been yet, consider it a reason to go.
It's one of my favorites I've ever taken, and it's where I'd tell a first time collector to start.
