We visited Bryce Canyon National Park a couple of years ago, and we were awed by its beauty and grandeur. With hundreds of multi-colored hoodoos rising hundreds of feet into the air, it felt like a different planet. This time it felt like a different country. Almost no-one spoke English but us. We overheard conversations in German, Italian, French, Japanese and Chinese, but no English (and not even any Spanish!) We felt like foreigners in our own country!

We snuck this trip into our schedule between returning from our Safari in Kenya and the start of Photoshop World in Las Vegas (major photography conference). Our goal was to improve on our shots from two years ago.

(switch from we to I)

I wasn’t satisfied with most of my previous shots. The only two photos that I still like were the ones where I shot in tight: Bryce Sunrise and Sunrise at Bryce. The wide landscape shots were lacking. This visit, my goal was to focus on shooting tighter. I brought my trusty 80-400mm lens which should let me zoom in tighter than before.

Our first morning (sunrise) shoot yielded beautiful, soft, dreamy light. Here are a couple shots:

I liked the path encircling what looks like a small castle on a hill.

I liked the path encircling what looks like a small castle on a hill.

A small part of the amphitheater produced its own "mini" amphitheater.

A small part of the amphitheater produced its own “mini” amphitheater.

Our second morning (OK, sunrise) shoot yielded these:

Last shot of the trip yielded a translucent glow.

Last shot of the trip yielded a translucent glow.

My tightest shot of the trip. I love the sunlight which seemed to be a gateway to the light.

My tightest shot of the trip. I love the sunlight which seemed to be a gateway to the light.

Here is a shot a took two years ago and my repeat attempt this year. Which one is better?

Sunrise at Bryce two years ago.

Sunrise at Bryce two years ago. (I had to crop to get the tight shot I wanted).

Sunrise at Bryce this year.

Sunrise at Bryce this year. Can you believe I got the same angle? I must have been in the exact same spot! (No crop this year – this is the full image.)

Overall, I am very satisfied with my new shots. What do you think?

And remember, its all about the light!