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Jacob-Routzahn β€” First Light At Mesa Arch

Published: 2012-10-26 02:10:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 4223; Favourites: 230; Downloads: 127
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Description After a long night of shooting at a special location in the Canyonlands, I made my way to the parking lot of Mesa Arch. Finally getting everything organized, I fell asleep at 2 am in the back of the hot rod. I quickly realized that 5:15 am comes too early when falling asleep at that time. Before my alarm could go off, I heard a car door slam and noticed a shadowy figure peering in the window of my car. I sat still for a moment knowing they were just seeing if I had left for the arch yet. Once they peaced out, I tried to fall asleep but was quickly awoken by yet another person getting ready for sunrise shots. So, as quickly as I could, I jumped out of my sleeping bag and in about two minutes had all of my gear ready and was on my way to the arch.

Being one of the first on the scene, I set up for the traditional vantage and waited for the hoard of other photographers to come. And sure enough, they did. All in all, there were probably about 35 people here to shoot the arch. Luckily I'd visited here before with the wifey and had a much better experience.

What was amazing though was this particular sunrise. It started off terrific with great amount of mood and stellar morning colors in the clouds. However, those same low hanging clouds blocked any light from illuminating the underside of the arch. Once the sun made its way to a break in the clouds and allowed the first light to spilled over the La Sals, one of my favorite shots from this trip was created.

I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did taking it!

All images are Β©copyright Jacob Lynn Routzahn. You may not replicate, use, manipulate, modify, print, or any other form of editing to my work without my permission. All rights reserved.
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Comments: 35

Volcanic-Harpy [2013-09-02 21:48:12 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful!!! What materials did you use?

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to Volcanic-Harpy [2013-09-07 04:26:41 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!Β  It was my camera

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RowanFyre [2013-07-10 01:37:11 +0000 UTC]

I thought it was a lava flow from the thumbnail o.o Wow that's bright!

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to RowanFyre [2013-08-02 00:11:05 +0000 UTC]

Lol!Β  Nope, just some absolutely gorgeous lighting Β  Thanks for the comment!

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RowanFyre In reply to Jacob-Routzahn [2013-08-07 15:00:00 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome ^^

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Zlata-Petal [2013-04-20 07:47:04 +0000 UTC]

This great image is featured in my Journal named " SKY"
Great work

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to Zlata-Petal [2013-04-22 02:08:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much and I appreciate your support by sharing my image in your journal

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Zlata-Petal In reply to Jacob-Routzahn [2013-04-23 01:59:06 +0000 UTC]

You are most welcome dear

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dropnox [2013-01-08 12:39:24 +0000 UTC]

amazing light

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to dropnox [2013-01-09 00:33:17 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much!

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Sparia [2012-10-30 17:03:47 +0000 UTC]

stunning... awesome shot!

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to Sparia [2012-11-01 03:15:28 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much

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Sparia In reply to Jacob-Routzahn [2012-11-01 17:48:10 +0000 UTC]

my pleasure

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Corvidae65 [2012-10-29 00:19:54 +0000 UTC]

I knew the sunrise shots at Mesa Arch were spectacular and tried for one of my own when I was there but I was too late to beat the hoards there the morning I was there. I could hear the racket of dueling tripod legs as folks fenced for position though

Anyway, Love your shot--it's the shot I had hoped for and maybe one day will get. Super color, nice sunstar and illumination of the bottom of the arch. Well done

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to Corvidae65 [2012-10-29 02:45:08 +0000 UTC]

Well thank you very much Yeah, typically if you can get there about two hours before anyone else, you're guaranteed a spot, if not the spot. And the same thing was going on that morning. A bunch of whiners and criers. But overall, I appreciate the nice comment and hope that you get the lighting/shot you're looking for one day!

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celestialprincess101 [2012-10-27 02:07:16 +0000 UTC]

Hi there You're beautiful work has been featured in my journal this week

LINK---> [link]


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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to celestialprincess101 [2012-10-27 02:59:50 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for the support! Really means a lot

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Nate-Zeman [2012-10-26 22:45:43 +0000 UTC]

hahaha the Mesa Arch game... sit in your car until you see the first headlights coming your way, then make a mad dash for the arch haha. wouldn't be worth it anywhere else!

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to Nate-Zeman [2012-10-27 02:59:32 +0000 UTC]

Your right about that!

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PeterJCoskun [2012-10-26 17:25:29 +0000 UTC]

That is some wicked under-glow under the arch. Looks like it needs a bit of a CW rotation, but other than that this is very nice.

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to PeterJCoskun [2012-10-27 00:34:48 +0000 UTC]

I thought that too but there is a plateau that is sloping down and to the left that makes the horizon look off. But the spirit level doesn't lie! But I'm glad you like it man!

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PeterJCoskun In reply to Jacob-Routzahn [2012-10-27 00:37:40 +0000 UTC]

I guess it's just been too long since my trip there, or my crooked eyes...Which reminds me to go back soon.

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to PeterJCoskun [2012-10-27 02:58:10 +0000 UTC]

Hahaha, well don't be too hard on yourself. I noticed it when I first started processing it and it irritated me a little. But I figure whatever

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blackrain8 [2012-10-26 09:25:57 +0000 UTC]

Wait, where is this again, I could've sworn you meant "Black-Mesa" from the half-life games...

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to blackrain8 [2012-10-27 02:58:37 +0000 UTC]

Lol, no it is Mesa Arch in the Canyonlands. You should check it out if given the chance.

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blackrain8 In reply to Jacob-Routzahn [2012-10-27 08:10:55 +0000 UTC]

As in, look up pics?

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to blackrain8 [2012-11-02 04:01:07 +0000 UTC]

No, I mean go to it someday.

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blackrain8 In reply to Jacob-Routzahn [2012-11-02 06:38:48 +0000 UTC]

Not much of a traveler sorry, never even left my own country before...

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oOToetjeOo [2012-10-26 09:02:44 +0000 UTC]

i have been to the canyonlands (and also Arches NP) but i didn't had the time to stay untill sunrise/sunset. And although in daylight the park is beautiful i honestly regret it now XD i just adore the red color on the stone ^^

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to oOToetjeOo [2012-10-27 02:59:10 +0000 UTC]

Well I would definitely suggest this spot for sunrise and maybe swing by the Green River Overlook for sunset.

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oOToetjeOo In reply to Jacob-Routzahn [2012-10-28 12:31:51 +0000 UTC]

ah ok thanks! ... ... now only find money to buy another planeticket XD

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to oOToetjeOo [2012-11-02 03:59:38 +0000 UTC]

I think that is a problem we all face

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Rovaniik [2012-10-26 02:43:18 +0000 UTC]

This is absolutely amazing!!

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Jacob-Routzahn In reply to Rovaniik [2012-10-26 03:10:57 +0000 UTC]

Hey, thank you very much

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Rovaniik In reply to Jacob-Routzahn [2012-10-26 04:32:07 +0000 UTC]

No problem keep it up!

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