You may have never heard of the Black Canyon in the Gunnison National Park, located in Colorado within the United States.

Although it is less famous than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, it is nevertheless grandiose with its formations dating back to the Precambrian era (1.7 billion years ago). You read that right: 1.7 billion years old. My emotions were overwhelming when I first gazed upon these ancient mineral formations.

This national park is one of the most beautiful I have ever photographed. Carved through the heart of the park is a unique one-way road that ends in a dead end. At each bend, the spectacle of huge cliffs plunging towards the Gunnison River is impressive to say the least. Traversing across this magnificent sight are white mineral veins running through the rocks.

Interestingly, what gave the Black Canyon its name is not the color of the canyon itself, for it is not made of black rock. However, certain areas of the gorge only receive 33 minutes of sunshine per day, do the narrow steepness of the cliffs. I must admit that the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is not easy to photograph.

When I walked along the heights of the canyon, I always find it exceedingly difficult to select the scenes to be photographed because each spot is breathtaking. Even if the road that meanders through the national park is only 12 miles long (19 kilometers), it takes me about 5 days to immerse myself in the magical atmosphere of the Black Canyon.

All photos are presented in black and white because this photographic style is ideal for highlighting textures and details of the mineral formations. The grandeur and beauty of the black and white landscapes are accentuated by the cloudy skies.

In this collection of black and white landscape art photographs, I must also include images of the trees, which are extraordinary. I had the chance to photograph the most beautiful juniper tree I have evern seen in the southwestern United States. It bears the nickname "Everyone’s Favorite Tree". Its shape and its perfect state of conservation make it a true photographic model. It rises proudly above the canyon. Time does not seem to have a hold on it.

At the end of this collection of black and white photos of the Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park, I give you some pictures of the Gunnison River, which is what gave the canyon its name and shape. I had to pay tribute to it.

I created this collection of art photos to allow you to escape into the vastness of the landscapes of western Colorado. Some of the photos have a dramatic flair. They evoke the grandeur and power of the natural elements.

My wish for you is that you may one day also experience this precious site, which is certainly one of the most unique mineral landscapes in the world. Until you can embark on such a beautiful trip, you may at least take a short virtual journey to the Black Canyon by viewing my photographs.