Facerock Productions Blog

            Josie is a special little girl.  Her spirit and personality give Carmen and me a challenge each time we photograph her, and this day was no different.

            As we tell you a story about each photograph in our collection, you’ll see Josie many times because she is Carmen’s granddaughter.  That may be all you need to know.

            This particular May afternoon had already been fun.  We chased lambs, a little girl, and light until we got to this spot near the “Junction” in Canyon de Chelly. 

            Josie wanted to take off her clothes and play in the water.  Obviously Carmen and I had other plans.  Through bribery, patience, and working quickly with our cameras, I captured this image, and Carmen took some that we’ll show you later.  If you just can’t wait, go to http://www.facerockproductions.com/carmen.php and look at the image titled “Reflection”. 

            Moments after the light faded from the canyon walls, Josie took off her traditional dress and frolicked in the water and sand.  Never a dull moment.

            What challenges did we overcome to create this image with its wide exposure range and water reflection?  It was taken on film using a medium format camera.

            If you were creating a photograph in this same situation, what would you do?

            Just let us know what you think and feel free to ask us any questions you have.

            Here’s to great reflections and great light,

                        David

So many people have asked me about this picture that I’ve finally decided to reveal most of the secrets behind its creation.  Those of you who know exactly where it’s taken know that you are sworn to secrecy.

            I can tell you that this location is in the northern area of the Navajo Nation in a canyon that is strictly off limits to everyone except the residents who know the area and have family permission to be there. 

Unfortunately many overly curious “outsiders” have gotten themselves lost or stuck in this spot without adequate gear to get themselves back to the surface.  Their stupidity or simple lack of planning and breaking the rules has made it nearly impossible for the rest of us to personally witness or photograph this location.

You can agree how this perfect arch and complimentary background would lure the curious photographer and hiker.  If you are ever tempted, please make sure that you have someone go in before you to capture the stranded rattlesnakes before you venture in.

And, you thought you were going to learn about this photo. 

Many years ago, one of my Navajo friends bravely took a small group of us to this spot as part of a photo workshop.  Since this glow only lasts for a short time, you might imagine the photo circus that ensued.  I was fortunate enough to come away with four or five decent images of the arch.

1996 was the early part of my “Native American in the Landscape” project and I had not thought ahead to bring a model with me.  I did have an image I had taken of Kristi in the south part of Canyonlands in 1994 and decided that it might be fun to try out this new software called Photoshop.

In version 1.0, it was necessary to get things done right the first time.  After about 27 attempts with several people helping, we came up with version 1.0 of what was then known as “Golden Guide”.  Between trying to get a good scan, work the idea, and then output a decent internegative from the huge 40 MB file on the SyQuest drive—then making a print, this file took several years and generations to get to where “Secret Slot’s Silent Sentry” is today.

Many photographers have done multiple interpretations of their original negatives and this my prime example of an image going through the transition from film to digital without losing its original intent.

What exactly is the intent of this image?

What do you see in this photo?

Tell us how “Secret Slot’s Silent Sentry” makes you feel.

We look forward to knowing your thoughts, and answering your questions.

Happy creating,

David

Mary Bia was a special woman who left us with memories of her subtle sense of humor and wisdom.  In this photo where she listens intently to Kenya and spins her yarn, you can see that she enjoys being surrounded by her family.

            In a remote area above Three Turkey Canyon, the family homestead takes you back to much simpler times when the sheep corrals were made of all natural materials available in the immediate area.  Many lessons can be learned from this type of settlement yet we’re happy not to tell you exactly where it is.

            “Civilization” doesn’t need to know everything!

            Mary was in her mid-nineties when I created this image.  She had given up weaving her famous Navajo rugs a few years earlier.  Not being able to see good enough to discern colors, she opted to spin the yarn by hand, feeling each fiber until it was perfect for her granddaughter’s loom. 

            What do you know about Navajo weaving and how they vary throughout Navajoland?

            Why is it important to keep these art forms alive and well with the younger generation?

            How can you experience these moments with your camera and take home a story or two to share that may be even more important than your best photograph?

            You’re welcome to ask your questions or leave us your comments and we’ll be happy to respond and give you the details and add to the story.

            Keep having fun,

            David

Canyon de Chelly often reveals its secrets when the time is right.  As the spiritual center of the Navajo Nation, one needs to be tuned into the stories the canyon wants to tell.  Visiting the window arch is always an uplifting experience if only for the hike. 

This November afternoon in 2003 held just a bit more mystery and magic.  The color on the cottonwood trees combined with the reflections bouncing from canyon wall to canyon wall seemed to magnify in its reflections from the creek. 

Carmen Hunter, Tim Meyer, Earl Watchman, and I climbed the zigzag trail to the arch then carefully positioned ourselves in the alcove and waited for the light to bounce off the wall to create this golden glow.  We waited patiently.

Tim had his 8×10 view camera readied for the magic moment but we played around with the new Fuji F700 point and shoot with its new chip.  Photographers always have to be doing something while waiting around.  Turns out that little camera was pretty good!

Since the sun moves quickly at this time of year, we were ready when the spotlight began to move across the bottom of the arch.  Earl looked out over the valley keeping warm in his special edition Pendleton Woolen Mills blanket.

We each felt that moment of magic with the breeze and the shutters clicking—getting our film exposures perfect.  What else is there to say?

We know that you’d like to ask a question about the idea for this photo or simply how you can stand in this spot to create a landscape image of your own.  Or, just be there!

Do you know why I gave this photo its name? 

Why were we using film for this particular project?

Where else have you seen this image displayed? 

This is truly one of the more awesome locations at Canyon de Chelly and is becoming more difficult to reach each year due to the erosion of the local access road.  If you’re interested in knowing more about how you can visit the canyon with us, go to www.SouthwestPhotoSafaris.com.

Here’s to creating great images,

David

A cold December morning at the “Mittens” in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is the setting for this dramatic photograph similar to one you might take on one of our adventures.

Michelle Redhouse is wrapped in her white Pendleton “Harding” shawl and holds one of her family ceremonial feather fans.  Her sister, Shan, holds the basket woven by her aunt.  Dry corn is in the basket as a token for the sun.  Shan wears a rare white “Mesa Verde” pattern shawl also from Pendleton Woolen Mills.

Much of their family lives in the Monument Valley area as they have for many centuries and get to witness many dramatic sunrises from a variety of vantage points in the area.

This image was created by Master Photographer, D.H. Davis as part of his “Native American in the Landscape” series in 1998.  A selection of his photos can be seen at the www.FacerockProductions.com website.

The rest of this story:  Creating a photograph like this is rewarding when you don’t give in to the challenges.  If you have photographed sunrise in Monument Valley in the past few years, you understand the access issues along with the interesting weather patterns. 

With this particular series of photos, Leslie Canyon and I took care about the time and location and waited until the girls arrived from Nevada with their mom around 11:00PM.  By the time we got them settled in their room at Gouldings, reviewed the clothing possibilities and looked at the shawls, it was after midnight. 

They started getting their hair ready around 4:00 AM and were ready to head out by 5:30.  The temperatures hovered just around 20 degrees as we headed out in the dark.  This was one the first sunrise photo we had attempted at the Mittens and we definitely were in total alignment with the universe that day!

More images from this weekend will be posted and described as we get your input on this blog.

Please give us your input on this image so that we can continue to improve our photographic interpretation of the people and the spectacular landscape in the Monument Valley area.

How do you think we could improve on this image?

Do you have a story idea you feel we should try with the people who live here?  If so, please share your ideas with us.  Who knows, you might just get to accompany us on one of these adventures!

Showing the strength, beauty, and dignity of the native peoples living in the Southwest is the driving force behind the images you will see described in this blog.  We welcome your input, questions, and critiques on the blog.

If you want to contact us directly, you may do that via email to info@facerockproductions.com or you can call the office at 970.245.6042.  Since we are often out creating new images, you may  need to leave a message.  That’s the price for keeping this company simple and streamlined so we can serve you better. 

If you want to accompany us on any of our adventures, all of those details can be found at our companion site: www.SouthwestPhotoSafaris.com.  There are always unannounced adventures that only our subscribers ever see, so you will want to be a regular member and receive notices of our new posts via email or RSS feed.