Arizona through a Panoramic Camera

PANOR АМІ ARIZONA

Panoramas are everywhere. But how do you effectively capture them on a two-dimensional piece of film? Fortunately there has recently been a proliferation of panoramic-type cameras available for the photographer. The one I chose produces an image 6 by 17 centimeters. This forced me to adjust how I visualize images. Compositionally, I favor big foregrounds, which add presence to my photographs, but with the short, wide image produced by the panorama camera, it is somewhat difficult to bring foregrounds into play and maintain that panoramic feeling. It's mostly a problem of learning to see photographically in this format. Working on this project gave me the opportunity to revisit many of my favorite areas in our majestic state, and to see again Arizona's grand beauty, but in a different way with a different vision.

(PRECEDING PANELS, PAGES 20 AND 21) The Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon below Lipan Point.

(PAGES 22 AND 23, ABOVE) Beyond Oak Creek near Sedona, Cathedral Rock glows as the sun sets and the moon rises.

(PAGES 22 AND 23, BELOW) The West Fork of Oak Creek reflects sheltering cliffs in the Secret Mountain Wilderness.