A Moment in Monument Valley

The Mittens

This image was captured in 2006, but its magic is never lost. We visited several national monuments, parks, and recreational areas on this trip. The camera used was a Canon PowerShot G5. Although it barely has a one-megapixel sensor size, the camera did well. Modern software can recover much information from a flat JPEG file and upscale it to a RAW file. After basic edits, I applied a vintage blue monochrome layer.  I deliberately wanted to get a different look. All photos I see of Monument Valley are generally in the typical USA southwest color palette. Although my photo is old, it appears entirely fresh to my eyes with that blue monochrome.

The Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is on the border of Arizona and Utah, close to the Four Corners areas. The Navajo word for this place is Tsé Bil’ Ndzisgall, which means valley of the rocks. These sandstone buttes have appeared in movies, including  Stagecoach, The Searchers, Easy Rider, Forrest Gump, and Eiger Sanction.

That is the story behind the shot. If you liked these photos, you might also be interested in other posts featuring Landscapes, Monochromes, and National Monuments. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.


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28 Responses

  1. Toonsarah
    | Reply

    This edit has a very different feel to most shots you see of Monument Valley and I really like it!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Sarah, I’m so glad you commented on that specific point. I deliberately wanted to get a different look. All photos I see of Monument Valley are generally in the typical USA southwest color palette. Although my photo is old, it appeared completely fresh to my eyes with that blue monochrome. Thanks!

  2. Anne Sandler
    | Reply

    Great interpretation of Monument Valley Egidio. I think using an old camera added to the effect of a desolate eerie place, except for the road and car!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Anne, I am glad you liked my view of that traditional place. I just wrote a long reply to Sarah about my choosing to do that edit. Maybe I should add that to my post in a revision.

  3. Tra Italia e Finlandia
    | Reply

    Una luce molto particolare, davvero.

  4. Writing to Freedom
    | Reply

    I like the way you edited this Egidio. I don’t have fancy software to reclaim my grainy old photos.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thank you, Brad. I think I’ll add a revision to the post using what I just wrote to Sarah’s comment here.

  5. sandyjwhite
    | Reply

    These do make me think of John Wayne and western movies!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Isn’t it amazing what movies can do to us? I agree with you. Thanks.

  6. Terri Webster Schrandt
    | Reply

    Wow, I’m dying to go there. We thought to include this in our current trip. Maybe next time. Awesome shots, Egidio!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thank you, Terri. We did a quick stop there when were visiting that area several years ago.

  7. margaret21
    | Reply

    What an extraordinary landscape. I’d love to see it.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Margaret. It is an interesting area to see.

  8. bushboy
    | Reply

    Spectacular Egidio

  9. Tranature - quiet moments in nature
    | Reply

    A beautiful composition Egídio, the landscape looks so otherworldly 😊

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Xenia, many thanks. That area is like being on another planet.

  10. restlessjo
    | Reply

    Love the blue tint, Egidio.

  11. Rebecca Cuningham
    | Reply

    stunning photograph!

  12. Leanne Cole
    | Reply

    That looks amazing Egidio.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Leanne. It’s a magical place.

  13. carabeinsplash
    | Reply

    Wow! Your photo gives this place an other-worldly vibe. Very cool!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Cara. That’s what I was going for.

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