I watched this and the first and last thoughts were, too many people! They have really totally ruined the national parks. Too many crowds, rules, etc. You can no longer get a clear shot of anything, and spend more time with the spot healing brush eliminating people than actually seeing the site.Delicate Arch is a 52ft tall freestanding natural arch is the crown jewel of Arches National Park. While Arches National Park has more than 2,000 stone arches, Delicate Arch stands out as a symbol of the state of Utah and one of the most recognized geological features in the world. That said, this is not an easy hike, as it contains a significant climb up a steep slick rock slope. There is no shade, and it gets quite hot in the summer, so anyone taking this trail should be prepared for what is to come.
Dave:I don't disagree with Dale but if at been there, the crowds in general wouldn't have bothered me as much as all the people who feel they have to stand right under it for a photo. Seems like there needs to be some designated "time outs" where NO one is allows to get within 100' of the arch or whatever, so everyone can get a beautiful photos free of bodies. The other option is, I read about more and more people who, when they want to see a beautiful natrual wonder, they head out when it's dark so they get there just as it's getting light, that is, if the hours of the park allow it.
I totally get it. We are a selfie, Youtube, Vlogger crazy society any more.Dave:
I was there about 20 year ago. Most national parks are open 24 hours, but if you have been to the Delicate Arch, you would know that it is a treacherous walk from the parking lot (at least a mile or more) , with some steep shale parts, easily causing dangerous footing in the dark. Yes, you could go there at night, in the dark, but surprise, surprise, there are still many astrophotographers there now. Oh, and yes it is very cold. In sum, it is virtually impossible to get a sterile (no human) image of the iconic arch anymore. Heavy usage of Photoshop are now needed to remove the people from the images. An do not try to get an astro shot there either. Dumb people (with flashlights) will ruin your images.
If I sound like a curmudgeon, I am.
Dale
Miami
Yes- Dave- regrettably , the national parks became the "go to" place during covid because we were not allowed out of the country. Since then, the parks has instituted reservation systems, no car traffic, and there is still massive congestion, with no parking for the trails, or the shops at the pull offs. I think the best time to go there is as late in the summer as possible, near time when fall and snow are threatening and the children are back in school.I totally get it. We are a selfie, Youtube, Vlogger crazy society any more.
you know for some perverse reason I agree and got a great laugh at your comments Dale. Even here people are starting to turn up in the most unexpected places...unless you get bogged and then it seems you are on your own. I remember giving a talk to a Society once and every photo had somebody in shot.Dave:
I was there about 20 year ago. Most national parks are open 24 hours, but if you have been to the Delicate Arch, you would know that it is a treacherous walk from the parking lot (at least a mile or more) , with some steep shale parts, easily causing dangerous footing in the dark. Yes, you could go there at night, in the dark, but surprise, surprise, there are still many astrophotographers there now. Oh, and yes it is very cold. In sum, it is virtually impossible to get a sterile (no human) image of the iconic arch anymore. Heavy usage of Photoshop are now needed to remove the people from the images. An do not try to get an astro shot there either. Dumb people (with flashlights) will ruin your images.
If I sound like a curmudgeon, I am.
Dale
Miami
I have grudgingly learned that I have wasted tons of time waiting for people to leave my shot. I'd say most of them are knowledgable about me standing there waiting for them but they really could care less. They really don't give a s.... So now, I shoot freely, planning to use my trusty spot healing brush tool and wipe them away in postproductionyou know for some perverse reason I agree and got a great laugh at your comments Dale. Even here people are starting to turn up in the most unexpected places...unless you get bogged and then it seems you are on your own. I remember giving a talk to a Society once and every photo had somebody in shot.
Enrol me in your curmudgeon club.
Did just that. When we arrived at the arch near sunrise, there were already people under the arch. By the time we got back to the parking lot at 8:30 am it was already completely full.I don't disagree with Dale but if at been there, the crowds in general wouldn't have bothered me as much as all the people who feel they have to stand right under it for a photo. Seems like there needs to be some designated "time outs" where NO one is allows to get within 100' of the arch or whatever, so everyone can get a beautiful photos free of bodies. The other option is, I read about more and more people who, when they want to see a beautiful natrual wonder, they head out when it's dark so they get there just as it's getting light, that is, if the hours of the park allow it.
I don't know if you've ever been to Mackinac Island between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, but it's the same way. If you go just after Labor Day, everything is still open because the college students who work in the shops are still there trying to get a few last dollars of salary before school, but the tourists are mostly gone since elementary, middle and high schools have started up again. You can get great photos and video then. The island does not allow and motor vehicles, it's all horses and carriages so it makes for wonderful, olde time looking shots. The best thing though is the hordes are people are gone!Yes- Dave- regrettably , the national parks became the "go to" place during covid because we were not allowed out of the country. Since then, the parks has instituted reservation systems, no car traffic, and there is still massive congestion, with no parking for the trails, or the shops at the pull offs. I think the best time to go there is as late in the summer as possible, near time when fall and snow are threatening and the children are back in school.
I tried to get a hotel in the park at Glacier and the entire year is filled.
nicely done!Delicate Arch is a 52ft tall freestanding natural arch is the crown jewel of Arches National Park. While Arches National Park has more than 2,000 stone arches, Delicate Arch stands out as a symbol of the state of Utah and one of the most recognized geological features in the world. That said, this is not an easy hike, as it contains a significant climb up a steep slick rock slope. There is no shade, and it gets quite hot in the summer, so anyone taking this trail should be prepared for what is to come.
No drone footage in video. All taken by the DJI Pocket 2nicely done!
did you have to get any special permit to launch in the park??
Thanks!No drone footage in video. All taken by the DJI Pocket 2
Thanks! Good luck, hope you get the permission to drone in Navajo territory.This is a really nice video. I'll be heading to Northern Arizona and Utah in mid summer for some of these sites (hoping the Navajo Nation gives me a permit to fly) .
Dale D you are absolutely correct! I agree 100%. I purposely schedule my trips during the most inhospitable times for each location to minimize humans. I went to Death Valley in the summer when it was 128 degrees. I walked 2 miles (with camera gear) out onto Badwater Basin just to get photos devoid of people. I did not have to erase or remove people from any of these photos. Yes, fully dressed and 128 degrees!
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Any place I visit I do my best to go off-season. Just so I can have the solitude to myself.
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I said this in another post; I can download a billion photos of all these places to visit . . . the only thing missing is me (standing in all those places to visit).