Brenda Fishbaugh, QPSA
October 2026 - Sunset at Horseshoe Bend
Original
About the Image(s)
iPhone 16 Pro handheld ISO 321 2.2 focal length, f/22, 1/90 sec
We began a 30 day 6000 mile driving trip to Colorado, Utah, northern Arizona and New Mexico.
While in Page, Arizona, we photographed Horseshoe Bend. It's a 1000' high area with the Colorado River below. Often there is a boat or kayaker below, but we were not so lucky. Thousands of people make the mile trek there and back to show up at sunset. Kids sit on the Navajo sandstone ledges for insane Instagram images, and its quite a party. It's pitch black after the sun sets, so carry a flashlight.
I did photograph with my "good" camera, but my iPhone 16 Pro did a better job. I removed my tripod leg and darkened everything else, which brought me to the actual color we saw. When the sun hits the sandstone, it "lights up". The sky was actually much more brilliant, the orange on the left was even more incredible. The water goes from turquoise to green, to colors from the clouds, so you'll see all sorts of colors in the millions of iconic shots on Instagram.
Thoughts, changes?
24 comments posted
Wow. What a beautiful capture with iPhone!! A couple of weeks ago, I had a road trip to Mendocino/Fort Bragg. I used my Canon Mark V and iPhone 16 Pro. My iPhone photo turned out much better than from the Canon too. I have a coming trip to the southeast toward the end of this month; I'm ditching my Canon and going with my iPhone 16 Pro only. I think the iPhone 18 Pro has even better camera features, and I'm planning to upgrade my phone after my trip.
The only comment I have is you may consider adding more contrast (light) between the outer and inner circle. Posted: 10/01/2026 18:21:22
The only comment I have is you may consider adding more contrast (light) between the outer and inner circle. Posted: 10/01/2026 18:21:22
Thanks, Jean! Rick Sammon has several classes on KelbyOne on using only the iPhone for a trip to Africa, a trip to Antarctica, etc. And there are weekend-long online workshops with Kelby and several other groups on how to use iPhones to do all sorts of magic.
I'm not clear on where you would like more contrast on my image. I'm not sure what is the outer and inner circle? Thanks! Posted: 10/06/2026 01:24:20
I'm not clear on where you would like more contrast on my image. I'm not sure what is the outer and inner circle? Thanks! Posted: 10/06/2026 01:24:20
It was my personal perspective, I felt the rock area surrounding the river could be darker so it would make a better contrast with the rock on the top. Posted: 10/06/2026 16:18:06
I just posted a redone info, working with your idea of more contrast. Would you take a look at and see if I did what you were suggesting? Did I do too much? Thanks! Posted: 10/26/2026 01:14:35
This is a beautiful landscape-almost perfect, and I really have no comments to add. Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are both on my list to visit. Hopefully, one day! Posted: 10/03/2026 01:35:52
Sunil, Thanks so much! Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Bryce and Arches are all phenomenal. You need reservations for Antelope Canyon, as its on Navajo land. There is just a bit of time the light comes down into the slot canyon, so make sure you check the time for the month you are there. Upper Antelope is more tricky than Lower Antelope, which has much more light. And there are several other canyons that are great fun, too. Posted: 10/06/2026 01:31:09
I'd love for you to take a look and see if you think my new version with more contrast is better? Too much? Thanks! Posted: 10/26/2026 01:15:27
Both look good to me. The difference might be more noticeable in print, as it's hard to judge subtle differences on a screen, and every screen displays images a little differently. Posted: 10/26/2026 02:00:15
I appreciate the feedback! Thanks! Posted: 10/26/2026 12:05:26
Yes, very nice. Worth the walk. Posted: 10/06/2026 22:56:57
Thanks, Robert! It was definitely worth the walk. Posted: 10/11/2026 23:28:50
I'd love for you to take a look and see if you think my new version with more contrast is better? Too much? Thanks! Posted: 10/26/2026 01:15:40
Nice! I was there a couple of years ago. You should have looked me up when you were in Colorado. I personally find the rock on the right to be distracting. Posted: 10/11/2026 17:36:34
I agree the rock is distracting. We got there 90 minutes early, but that wasn't early enough. So it was the last spot available where I was going to have a view of the water below. And it is a different view of the millions of images. Since it is an iconic shot, I did not feel I could remove the rock.
It would have been great to connect! Posted: 10/11/2026 23:43:04
It would have been great to connect! Posted: 10/11/2026 23:43:04
I'd love for you to take a look and see if you think my new version with more contrast is better? Too much? Thanks! Posted: 10/26/2026 01:15:54
It is so beautiful, Horseshoe Bend, really amazing place. I have no commend, thanks for your sharing. Posted: 10/12/2026 01:33:20
Thanks, Pei-Fan. I appreciate your kind words. Posted: 10/15/2026 19:08:18
I'd love for you to take a look and see if you think my new version with more contrast is better? Too much? Thanks! Posted: 10/26/2026 01:16:04
Really great capture of Horseshoe Bend. Not the usual one we see - love that it isn't. The rock on the bottom right while a bit large is not distracting for me - just seems to fit in with the naturalness of the shot. Love the way the clouds mimic the curve of the river. Posted: 10/19/2026 12:17:21
Thanks a bunch, I appreciate the love. And I didn't realize the clouds mimic the river's curve, thanks for mentioning that! Posted: 10/24/2026 00:51:21
I'd love for you to take a look and see if you think my new version with more contrast is better? Too much? Thanks! Posted: 10/26/2026 01:16:14
Jean had mentioned I needed more contrast between the inner and outer ring. I wasn't sure exactly where she meant, but I started playing around with dodging and burning and some contrast. I think it helped the image, but did I go overboard? Thanks! Posted: 10/26/2026 01:12:55
I like the brightness of the other one better. Posted: 10/26/2026 12:03:34
Thanks, Kathryn! I appreciate the feedback. Posted: 10/26/2026 12:04:55