Light in a Dark Place - a photo on Flickriver

Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park, Colorado

It's not hard to understand why this stunning canyon earned a reputation of being dark, even in the daytime. Parts of the gorge only receive 30 minutes of sunlight a day, its walls are so sheer and steep. Even the local Ute tribes in Western Colorado avoided the canyon in times past, it's association with darkness is so strong. It's one of the few locations I have been to where an overcast day would improve the light for photography, flattening out all that high dynamic range. That said, sunrise and sunset can be special times at the canyon, as seen here.

The Gunnison River is primarily responsible for carving the canyon and the geology of this park is impressive. There are massive streaks in the walls made by pegmatite lava which flowed into cracks and hardened. The gorge features the tallest sheer cliff in all of Colorado with a sudden drop of 2,250 feet (690 m). You would think it would be more famous, but of the four full National Parks in Colorado, it's the least visited. If you go, be sure and plan on some astrophotography, there's practically no light pollution.

*Press L or left click on the photo for best viewing.

Link to ~My best photos~

*** All my photos are © All Rights Reserved. ***

Taken in: United States / Colorado / Lujane (show map)

Taken on: October 13, 2022

Tags:

America

USA

US more »

United States

North America

Colorado

Black Canyon

Gunnison

National Park

Gunnison Point

sun rays

viewpoint

landscape

paysage

paisaje

paesaggio

Landschaft

canyon

steep

cliff

geology

rock

stone

sandstone

erosion

weathering

sedimentary

strata

nature

natural

horizon

mesa

ridge

narrow

gorge

topography

Mesquite

foliage

autumn

fall

bush

Nikon

mirrorless

Nikkor

Capture One

20mm

coth5 « less

Sets appears in: • USA • Landscapes and Waterscapes

Groups appears in: • Colorado! • U.S. National Parks more » • U.S. National Parks and Places • Professional landscapes • Outdoor Photographer Magazine (Unofficial) • Colorado Images • Creative Photo Group_ BASIC (P1-C3) • Geotagged: Colorado • Colorado Landscape & Wildlife Photos • Capture One • Colors Of The Heart! *Invited Images Only*! • Best of U.S. National Parks • National Parks Traveler • Nature's Gallery (Post 1 / Award 3) • Colorado Official • Eblouissante Nature / Brilliant Nature - P1/C2 - No People • Nature photography, flora or fauna - P2 / Award 1 . . . please! • National Parks of the USA • Best Photo of the Day! - No AI Images • BEST LANDSCAPE )))))&((((( • ! Art Portraits & Poetic Landscapes • Carolina's farm friends - P1/C3 • A World of Natural Wonder Places • Best Photo of the Week (Invitation Membership Only) • The New Focus 1a • **Special Landscapes** • Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S lens • Paint a Picture • Mes Amis Photographes • World Photography Landscape captured natural beauty • The Map Group • Nikon Z 9 • Very Arty « less

Camera: Nikon Z 9, f/11.0, 1/250 sec, 20mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon Z 9
Lens:	NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S
Aperture:	f/11.0
Exposure Time:	0.004 sec (1/250)
Focal Length:	20mm
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	-1 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Capture One 15 Macintosh
Show full info

Stats: 4,176 views / 99 comments