As you may know, I’m a fan of infrared images. So it was pretty much a no-brainer when my friend Jim Peterson sent an email asking if I wanted to join a group heading up to the volcano monument to make IR images. As Sunset Crater is only a little over an hour from my place, it was surprising I had not been there before. This made the answer a resounding yes!
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Let’s start with where it is in case you want to check it out. A bit North of Flagstaff, Arizona you’ll find the entrance off of Hwy 89. The visitor center address is 6082 Sunset Crater Road, Flagstaff AZ, 86004. The visitor center is currently closed due to sidewalk repair through at least September 10, 2024. Visit the Sunset Crater website for more and current info.
This is a large park. There are regular National Park fees to enter. Or if you’ve attained the ripe old age of 62 or older, you can purchase a lifetime Senior pass for $80 do. If you do any traveling and go to National Parks and Monuments, it pays for itself quickly.
The Draw
There are wide lava fields with trees and vegetation appearing out of the most unlikely surfaces. There’s a 34 mile scenic loop. For those that want a more intimate experience there are overlooks, trails and hikes that are fairly easy.
This info from the NPS.Gov website. “Each time a volcano erupts, life begins anew. Establishing life in the post-eruption environment may seem an impossible challenge, but the volcanic landscape is a reminder that the natural world has never been static, and that cycles of change are happening all around us. A closer look reveals a pink penstemon radiant against black rock, its species unique to this rugged terrain. Pinyon pines, their growth stunted by harsh conditions, offer habitat for Abert’s squirrels. Nídíshchíí, ponderosa pines, form a canopy layer over the smaller plants. Lichens add a touch of color and excrete weak acids as a byproduct of their metabolism, slowly converting the rocks to soil.
The return of life to Sunset Crater is part of a continuous process of change known as ecological succession. As fresh lava and cinders age and weather, as soil forms, this environment becomes increasingly hospitable to plants and animals. Remember that Sunset Crater Volcano is very young: a thousand years after the eruption, the land is still in the early stages of succession. Aridity makes succession exceedingly slow, and growth in this high, dry landscape is a process spanning many human lives and generations.”
Infrared
Infrared image creation in this landscape is pretty amazing. Black volcanic rock and formations with scattered trees make for high contrast. When shooting in sunlight with dappled clouds, the shapes and forms are endless. Especially with the super high contrast in scenes such as this, I recommend exposure bracketing so no detail is lost in the highlights or shadow areas. There’s a new composition around almost every corner. my friend Jim who has ventured here on many an occasion says he is always finding new targets to shoot.
I’ll be heading back up there in the not too distant future. Exploration. Camera. Infrared. Love it. Let me know about your favorite infrared places in the comments below or drop me an email. BTW, you can see some of Jim Peterson’s work here.
Yours in Creative Photography,
Bob
