Why and How: Photographing Valley of the Gods in Utah

IIf on your next trip, you have the opportunity to travel to the southwestern region of the United States to photograph its wonderful landscapes, I advise you to take your camera equipment to a lesser known area: the Valley of the Gods in the state of Utah.

You will discover incredible mineral landscapes located in a desert area.

In this article, I share with you some creative ideas to enhance these red sandstone buttes.

Landscape in black and white of Valley of the Gods in Utah.

The Little Story Behind This Article
A Few Words About Valley of the Gods
Why: Photographing the Valley of the Gods
Some Photos of the Valley of the Gods
How: Photographing the Valley of the Gods
Showcasing the Valley of the Gods through Framing
The Symbolism and Interpretation of the Valley of the Gods

The Little Story Behind This Article

It is with the greatest stroke of luck that I came to know about the Valley of the Gods.

On a trip to the Valley of Fire in Nevada, while I was sitting in my camping chair waiting for clouds to form over a scene, a couple approached me. Nancy and Jack, who were American, had noticed me while they were hiking.

As is the tradition in these arid regions, they came to see if everything was going well for me. As is customary in the United States, they asked me how I was doing. I told them I was fine and explained that I was just waiting for the clouds to form in the scene I had chosen and for the light conditions to improve a little before I took my shot.

Naturally, the conversation flowed. We talked for over an hour about their favorite landscapes in the American Southwest. Nancy mentioned a place that particularly touched her. It was a valley in Utah, known as the Valley of the Gods.

I had never heard of it before. I recorded all the information on my voice recorder. Back at my hotel in the evening, I browsed the internet to discover this valley I had never heard of.

The photos were eloquent. I found similarities with Monument Valley in the formations, but even so, something seemed different. I experienced strong feelings of great curiosity. Through the pictures on my screen, I could only imagine the calm, quietness, and solemnity of the place. The strangest thing was that none of my photographer friends had told me about it. Perhaps they too were also unaware of this place?

I carefully recorded all the information I had gleaned in my travel journal.

It was only a year later, during a trip along I-40, which crosses the United States from coast to coast, that I finally chose to photograph the Valley of the Gods.

I will never forget my first steps on the glowing sunlit paths amidst the hovering clouds of dust. Indeed, this mysterious and strange place revealed to me the true meaning of the word silence.

A Few Words About Valley of the Gods

Before discussing how to photograph the Valley of the Gods, it seems important to me to give you a few facts that will encourage you to embark on your own adventure to photograph these mineral landscapes.

The Valley of the Gods is a golden nugget for landscape photographers. It is a very little-known place. Indeed, it is located an hour drive from the famous Monument Valley. Valley of the Gods lives in the shadow of its prestigious neighbors which capture all the tourists.

But in the end, it is a good thing that it is located close to the larger sites, because you will not meet few if any visitors at this smaller location, and thus you will never be disturbed during your photo sessions.

The Valley of the Gods is located quite far from the nearest towns and building. There is no souvenir store, no gas station, and no store to buy food. There is absolutely nothing. It is best to bring water and a full tank of gas before visiting the valley.

Unlike Monument Valley, which is managed by the Navajo tribe and includes strict rules for visiting hours and entrance fees, the Valley of the Gods is completely free of access. No entrance fee is required to take pictures. It is an enchanting landscape that is completely free to the public.

The Valley of the Gods is crossed by a trail of red gravel and dust. You must traverse it with a four-wheel drive car so that you can stop whenever you want to take pictures. The loops and bends of the track stretch out for 17 miles (27 kilometers) through a desert landscape populated with mesas, buttes, and mushroom formations. The dominant color of the Valley of the Gods is red. However, the most striking thing is the silence that hangs in the air around you. No noise. No birds. The only noise you will hear is that of your camera.

If you ever take a walk on the dusty paths in the Valley of the Gods, you will truly experience the heart of this wilderness far away from the deafening hustle and bustle of the urban cities. You will feel as if you are captured in a place where time stands still.

Why: Photographing the Valley of the Gods

In my opinion, the main reason to photograph Valley of the Gods is that you will be able to choose your scenes and your points of view as you want. You can go wherever you want as long as you respect nature and the environment.

Unlike its large neighbor Monument Valley, you can explore the entire area of Valley of the Gods without a special permit or use a guide who can take you to certain places.

This freedom will allow you to contemplate and construct the creation of your photographs. You will be able to add a juniper tree in the foreground if you wish. You will be able to walk to the foot of the Seven Sailors or the Rooster Butte or even the Castle Butte without having to ask yourself if it is allowed or not.

You will be able to create different nature photos of the great American west because you will choose your scene with precision. This is a definite advantage to avoid taking pictures that have already been taken.

Another advantage is that you can take your photos at the time you want. There is no entrance fee. Access is free. You can even camp in the valley as long as you do not make a campfire.

This freedom of movement and action allows you to choose the best lights for your photos. Since the Valley of Fire is rather flat, the low-angled lights in either morning or twilight are excellent.

These special moments of the mineral formations can be beautifully preserved in colorful photos.

To create black and white photos, it is better to wait for the clouds to appear. They will allow you to furnish your skies while highlighting the textures and structures of the sandstone formations.

Undoubtedly, the Valley of the Gods deserves at least two or three full days of your time to create unique landscape photos.

Why and How: Photographing Valley of Fire in Nevada.

Why and How: Photographing Landscapes in Black and White.

Some Pictures Of Valley of the Gods

Click on a thumbnail to enlarge it.

How: Photographing the Valley of the Gods

First of all, as I mentioned in a previous paragraph, the track that will take you on the paths that snake around the mesas and mounds is very dusty and stony.

I recommend a four-wheel drive with a high clearance to avoid any mechanical incident.

As far as the photographic equipment is concerned, all lenses are possible: from 14 to 200mm.

With short focal lengths, you will be able to photograph the mesas and mounds from close up in order to account for their shape and size.

With medium focal lengths, you will be able to capture wider shots. You will be able to grasp an idea of the immensity of the scenery and landscapes.

I had the opportunity during some sessions when the weather was clear to see Monument Valley in the distance.

Personally, I am an avid user of the tripod and gradient filters. Indeed, using a tripod allows me to choose my point of view and make small changes without having to change places. As you will most likely be alone during your trip, you will not be bothered by any tourist who might bump into your tripod. Take advantage of it!

The best advice I can give you is to take your time in choosing your first plan. Just like in Monument Valley, many junipers grow in the valley. Highlight them in the foreground to illuminate a mound or a mesa in the background. Do not hesitate to do a reconnaissance at least once during one day and note the GPS coordinates of each scene you have selected for the next day.

Showcasing the Valley of the Gods through Framing

Just as with the choice of photographic lenses, anything is possible when choosing how to highlight the landscapes of the Valley of the Gods.

The first frames that will come to mind are horizontal frames such as 3:1, 16:9 or 3:2.

But the Italian format (vertical) or square is quite possible for a detail or a close-up shot.

Take the time to think about your framing. Your imagination is powerful. Try to surprise your audience with daring framing that is out of the ordinary. Remember that you have time.

The Symbolism and Interpretation of the Valley of the Gods

As always in these mineral regions of the American Southwest, the landscapes evoke the freedom to move and the privilege of taking the time to stop the daily activities of life and simply reflect.

The Valley of the Gods evokes silence, tranquility, and the passing of time.

Symbolically, the scenes I photograph evoke the slowness of time, introspection, calmness and quietness. It is in this state of mind that I approached the creation of my art photographs of the region.

Photographing the Valley of the Gods, as far as I am concerned, is like photographing two doors of time. The first door represents the past, meaning all of the years in which the monument stood still as time progressed and before you and I existed. The second door is the one which opens up to all of the wonderful years that are coming in the future, and in which I will continue to fulfill my dreams. My hope for you is that you can one day experience the magic of this special place known as the Valley of the Gods.

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The Method of the Photographic "Why" Applies in All Circumstances

Landscape in black and white of Red Rock Canyon in Nevada.

Your Photographic "Why" Is an Image of Your Life

Once you are aware of the need to set goals for your life, you probably search for the motivation to motivate yourself each morning in an attempt to attain those goals.

Any reasons you may have thought of when you wake up and get out of bed provide an insight into your reflection on the existence and meaning of life.

Do you remember that extraordinary day, when you decided that you would not follow the path set by others, but embark on a new chapter? In that moment, you chose to define for yourself parameters for you to move forward and attain the goals you had set for yourself.

As far as I am concerned, I will always move forward while looking back upon that particular day. I had a big adrenaline rush as a result. It was the day that everything became clear to me.

For your photographic “why”, it is exactly the same thing. It will give you a reason to practice photography, and it is this reason that you will use to apply to every photo session when create interesting images.

The funny thing, at least as far as I am concerned, is that my photographic “why” came much later than my purpose for living life.

I did not understand that I could apply the same principle for finding motivation in my photographic activity.

The "Why" Method Applies in All Circumstances

My method is so finely tuned that even for some of my big projects for important clients, I apply it. When a project takes shape, I define a “why” to stay focused until its completion.

I recognize that the application of this methodology in all the circumstances of my life and professional activity allows me to move forward, to motivate myself and to stay focused.

What I have understood is that before undertaking anything that will last over time, I must always ask myself the question "why".

After all of this time, I have only regret. It is that I did not do begin much earlier. If I had found my “why” sooner, than it would have allowed me to waste no time and to reach certain goals that were a priority for me more quickly.

I invite you in turn to think and to develop a photographic “why” to be used in any and all circumstances.

Remember, your photographic “why” is not set in stone. Do not make the mistake of thinking it is set forever.

Your Photographic "Why" May Change Over Time

Even if the purpose of your photographic activity does not change, some points of detail may be reviewed. These changes allow you to refine the objectives to achieve your goal.

Do not hesitate to make any adjustments if necessary.

Depending on the photo projects you carry out, the experiences you live, and the emotions you feel, your life will change. Your photographic why evolves over time.

Nevertheless, it is always present within you, as it is the guide of your photographic consciousness.

But you have to know one important thing. You are part of an exceptional group of photographers. You have taken an essential step that few have chosen to take.

As I said before, few photographers are ready to define their “why”.

Not All Photographers Are Ready

During my photography workshops and lectures, I try to explain the importance of the photographic “why” in the life of a photographer. I try to share my experience. My hope is that other people will not repeat my mistakes. I would like to prevent others from years of aimless wandering by sharing my knowledge.

However, I frequently observe that few photographers are able or willing to define this famous photographic “why.”

For them, creating a photograph is just using a camera to freeze a moment of time, an attitude, or an atmosphere. They will copy these photos onto the computer, and transfer them to a website, a smartphone, or a tablet without much thought.

But what good is that if it is not for a cause or a purpose?

They tell me that the pleasure of looking at the picture is enough for them. I often tell them that if they have come to attend one of my lectures or participate in one of my workshops, it is because they are looking for something else. They seek answers because they want to progress further in their photographic activity. My role is not to force photographers to go in a direction they do not want to go.

My role, and this is what I continue with this blog, is simply to help photographers who have chosen to take a step further in creating interesting and long-lasting pictures.

I understand that approach and that attitude. But I have noticed that these photographers quickly become fatigued and bored. After a while, the camera will only come out for a family event or a few days of vacation.

I have established a statistic about photographers willing to dare to define their photographic “why.” I will not give you the result because it is a data which engages only me. It is not the result of a large-scale statistic.

But I invite you to play a little game. Ask the photographers you know if they can explain their photographic “why.” I think you will come up with a statistical result close to mine.

If you read biographies or look at sites about photographers that last over time, you will see that they have a strong photographic “why.” These people will come and impact your stats quite a bit.

Believe me. If you make the effort to define your photographic “why” you will be part of a photographic population which I perceive as remarkable.

Welcome to the exclusive club of photographers who have chosen to strive for excellence through a purpose-driven adventure.