Sandstone Polychrome

Photographing sandstone in the shadows often yields surprising results. The harsh contrast is gone, replaced by softer transitions, and subtle colors now appear that come both from the rock itself and from light reflected by other surfaces. Clear sky, for example, is a great reflector, and it added the blue hues seen in this image. A nearby mesa reflected warm light onto the scene, enhancing the naturally warm colors found in the rocks. The sandstone, of course, had some wonderful textures and colors of its own that combined well with the reflected light. Shooting in the shadows, though, is the key to finding these unusual colors. Bright sun makes everything look different. It's the shadows the reveal this unexpected character of the stone.

Equipment: Canon 5D2 camera, Tamron 28-300 lens