Geraint Smith Photography

Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

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Spider Rock Canyon de Chelly (Tséyiʼ)

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Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly (Tséyiʼ in Navajo) National Monument, Arizona. “A sandstone spire that rises 750 feet (229 m) from the canyon floor at the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon.” I know it doesn’t look anything like that high in this image but when I’m standing in it’s shadow and the sun peeps over the tip of the spire and lights me up, it is awesome. If you haven’t visited Canyon de Chelly do it with the folks at Beauty Way Jeep Tours. Ben was our guide and we met up with TJ who demonstrated the use of the ancient Atlatl hunting weapon. Thanks for looking. G

Spider Rock Canyon de Chelly (Tséyiʼ)

In The Shadow Of The Dike At Shiprock, NM

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In the shadow of the dike wall at Shiprock, NM. Ship Rock is also known as Tse Bitai, or “the winged rock” in Navajo. Personally, I prefer the latter. I haven’t ever caught on to the idea of it looking much like a ship. Click on the link below for more info on “Shiprock” and thanks for looking. G

In The Shadow Of The Dike At Shiprock, NM

https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/tour/landmarks/shiprock/home.html

Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

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Cliff Palace ruin in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. The ruin was still closed for winter this week, guaranteeing no people in guided tour of groups, roaming around down there, and no signs declaring “Don’t climb on the walls” “Stay off the ladders”etc … You get the point. An undisturbed view of the ruin languishing in winter’s quiet time. Thanks for looking. G

Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

1949 Buick Super Eight Bluff, Utah

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1949 Buick Super Eight in Bluff, Utah. Nice and wet this morning in Bluff. The rain made the colors, and in this case, the toned image pop. I first photographed this old “three hole” in 1985. It’s fairing nicely. The windows are still intact and the chrome is glowing. Onward to Moab, Arches and Mesa Verde. Thanks for looking. G

1949 Buick Super Eight Bluff, Utah

Canyon de Chelly Photo Tour

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Canyon de Chelly Photo Tour. We were inspired today by our Navajo guide, Ben, on our tour in Canyon de Chelly, to Spider Rock. The changes in light, shapes and form in the canyon, and Ben’s expert guiding made us want to jump out at every opportunity. Ourselves, having been inspired by Edward S. Curtiss for many years, we wanted to see the location of his famed Canyon de Chelly image of riders on horseback. Today the valley floor is filled with large cottonwood trees, invasive Tamarisk and Russian Olive trees, and although the rock faces are still discernible, the view has changed and is almost unrecognizable otherwise. This view above is the closest I came, to the indescribable vastness and enchanting beauty of Canyon de Chelly. Thanks for looking. G

Canyon de Chelly Photo Tour

https://edwardscurtis.com