After visiting Bryce Canyon in the summer, my Utah photographer friends gave me a piece of advice: “Go in the winter, and you’ll understand why we don’t go in the summer anymore.”
Curious to see what they meant, I returned last February. Standing alone on the canyon rim at -20°C (-4°F) after an overnight storm, I watched the early sunlight move softly through the remaining clouds, gently warming the pristine landscape and frosted pines.
In that moment, looking at this natural show, I understood exactly what my friends meant; I don’t think I will ever return to Bryce Canyon for a photography trip in summer.
I also think that a sunrise photograph doesn’t always require a majestic sky filled with vivid colors. Sometimes, a soft, diffused glow is exactly what is needed to create a truly dramatic and atmospheric shot.
