Mesa Arch Sunburst

The Story:    This image captures a summer sunrise from Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, outside of Moab, Utah. Located on the Island in the Sky Mesa, this scene was 15 million years in the making (uplift of the Colorado Plateau) where erosion of a small pothole in Navajo Sandstone lead to today’s rock arch. The image captures the moment where the rising sun briefly paints the underside of Mesa arch and warms Buck Canyon in amazing orange light while silhouetting the distant La Sal Mountains.  As you can see from the thin slit of clear air on the horizon, the moment was transitory, as a cloud bank quickly obscured the sun.

The Rest of the Story:  This canvas print is a favored among visitors to my gallery and exhibits.   In capturing this scene, I woke up at 0230 AM and wandered out into the night.  I first swung my Arches National Park for night sky photography before driving further west into the blackness.     I made my way to a parking spot in Canyonlands National Park to find I was the first one there for the near summer solstice sunrise.   I strapped on my camera backpack and headlamp and plodded along Mesa Arch Trail.  The eerie part of the short hike lies in knowing I am approaching the top of a 1,200-foot cliff that drops off into Buck Canyon.  Did I mention it gets really dark.  I found my spot and waited for dawn.

For me, this is a story in persistence.   The previous morning, I made the same trip into the night, only to find that at sunrise, clouds encroached onto the eastern horizon which spoiled the light.  As the sky brightened the second morning, I noted a repeat layer of clouds making the same approach.  It was a heavenly race.  Who would reach the eastern horizon first:  the sun rising up over the distant La Sal Mountains, or the clouds racing eastward.  Fortunately, the sun won the second day.  I enjoyed about five minutes of clear air before the clouds obscured the morning light.

The sunburst.  As people stare closer to the fine art print, they ponder how I made the sunburst.  In innocent words that stabs anyone’s pride, they ask about the Photoshop technique or the filter I used to capture such a sight.  Ouch…you are killing me!   In short, I produce the sunstar in camera through the use of light diffraction.  Now, many try to do the same with their camera, but their starburst doesn’t look as sharp.  I’ve messed this up enough to perfect my technique.  First, I use a Canon 11-24mm Ultra Wide Angle lens.  It costs a little under $3,000 and its heavy.  Unlike cheaper lenses that have six aperture blades, mine used nine.  Somewhere as the blade count increases, the number of light spikes doubles.  As a result, my sunstars have a pleasing 18 spikes.  I drive the light diffraction by employing a small aperture, like f/22.  The problem with f/22 lies in many lenses produce a softer focus.  Perhaps its the ultra wide optics, but I find I don’t fight that in my images.  Finally, you have to keep your optics clean.  A speck of dust will refract light in unfavorable ways.  As many were shooting next to me, I spent a few precious moments blowing air over my lens keeping it dust free.   On this second morning, it all came together!

If you’d like to see similar scenes check out my Canyonlands National Park Art Prints or my Arches National Park Art Prints.

Sublocation:  Canyonlands National Park

City, State:     Moab, Utah

Year:               2020

An AI room visualization featuring my fine art print of Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park near Moab Utah where I rendered the sun as a bright sunburst of light

This room visualization depicts my original photography as displayed in an AI-generated room. The art print features a brilliant sunrise under Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, near Moab Utah. This room visualization was generated through FreePick with their permission and license, while I retain the copyright of the displayed art print.

$75.00 – $440.00

Product Description

A fine art print depicting A sunrise as viewed through Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park where the warm orange colors paint the underside of the rock arch and my lens rendered the sun as a brilliant sunburst

This image captures a summer sunrise from Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, outside of Moab, Utah. Located on the Island in the Sky Mesa, this scene was 15 million years in the making (uplift of the Colorado Plateau) where erosion of a small pothole in Navajo Sandstone lead to today’s rock arch. The image captures the moment where the rising sun briefly paints the underside of Mesa arch and warms Buck Canyon in amazing orange light while silhouetting the distant La Sal Mountains. As you can see from the thin slit of clear air on the horizon, the moment was transitory, as a cloud bank quickly obscured the sun.

Additional Information

Weight N/A
Dimensions N/A
Size

12" x 18", 20" x 30", 30" x 45"
Media

Framed Giclee Canvas, Metal, Photo Paper

Framed Giclee Canvas Prints

My canvas prints originate from the highest quality equipment and techniques which produce an impressively vibrant and sturdy print.  Features of My Framed Giclee Canvas Prints include:
 

  • Light Weight:  Lacking the need of glass and matting, these canvas prints are light weight
  • More Print for Your Money:  Avoiding expensive glass and matting lowers costs
  • Archival:  The pigment inks are archival rated at 95 years
  • No Gallery-wrapped Hazards:  My framed giclee canvas prints avoid the hazards of traditional gallery wrapped canvas prints (print edges easily mar and the canvas tends to relax and warp).  My canvas is mounted to a solid surface so it will never warp and the outer frame protects the print’s edges.
  • Ready to Hang.  Your canvas print comes ready to hang with single wire fastened to two sturdy D-ring hangers (quality D-rings resist wire tension vice eye hooks).  We employ a plastic-coated wire which mitigates corrosion, prevents stray strands from puncturing a finger, and permits easier leveling of frame.  In paying attention to details, we also properly wire frame with some tension which ensures canvas hangs close to wall.
  • Optional Z-bar:  For larger prints (if requested), we employ a two-piece mounting cleat in lieu of a hanging wire.  In this option, the cleat attached to the back of the print fits securely over the reverse cleat that you attached to the wall.
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark.
  • Documentation:  I attached a certificate of authenticity to the back of each print.
  • Large Canvas Prints:  Though I can produce prints up to 40 x 60 inches, shipping in sizes 30 x 45 inches and above is expensive.  If you live in the Miami Valley, reach out to me about obtaining access to these larger print sizes.
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated boxes and shipping takes an additional 3 to 5 days.
A front and back image of my framed giclee canvas print presentation

Metal Prints

People are amazed by these metal prints…from the reactions I witness at art shows and exhibitions, I call them “eye candy”.  Dye sublimation prints offer the following characteristics:
 

  • Incredibly vibrant:  My prints start with a white gloss substrate which produces vivid colors and enthusiastic comments 
  • Extremely durable:  Our printer employs verified archival materials, so if handled properly the print will last over 100 years.  
  • Cleans easily:  If cleaning is required, owners can employ soft cloth.
  • Saves money:  Unlike paper prints which require protective glass, there is no need to cover the metal surface.  With no glass, there’s no longer a need for the expensive framing, matting and labor which drives up the cost for traditional paper prints.
  • Ready to hang:  We attach mounts to the back of the metal prints which provide gallery-preferred hang points, and elevates the print off the wall producing a floating effect.  
  • Optional Z-bar:  For larger prints (if requested), we employ a two-piece mounting cleat in lieu of a hanging wire.  In this option, the cleat attached to the back of the print fits securely over the reverse cleat that you attached to the wall. 
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark. 
  • Documentation:  I attached a certificate of authenticity to the back of each print.
  • Large Metal Prints:  Though I can produce prints up to 30 x 45 inches shipping is expensive.  If you live in the Miami Valley, reach out to me about obtaining access to these larger print sizes.  
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated boxes and shipping takes an additional 3 to 5 days. 
A front and back image of my metal print presentation

Photopaper Prints

People are amazed by these metal prints…from the reactions I witness at art shows and exhibitions, I call them “eye candy”.  Dye sublimation prints offer the following characteristics:
 

  • Archival:  Our printer employs verified archival materials, where the pigments are rated at 95 years provided the print is protected from UV Rays. 
  • Flexibility:  Ordering a print on photopaper allows clients to make their own framing and matting decisions for the ultimate customization experience. 
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark. 
  • Documentation:  I include a certificate of authenticity with each print.  Once you frame the print, your framer can attach it to the rear of the print.
  • Final Product:  I have dedicated shipping tubes to hold the print until your framer is ready to mount and frame the print.
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated shipping tubes which take an additional 3 to 5 days for shipping. 
Sample Photopaper Shipping Tube

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