Sunstar above the quiet valley

by Frank Schröter Photography

A low-set sun casts a bright beam of light between two dark rock formations in Monument Valley. The warm light glances off the low vegetation in the foreground and spreads across the vast plain like a golden fringe. Behind the valley, distant mountain ranges stretch out in tiers. The sweeping panorama is brought to life by the contrast between the sharp silhouettes of the rocks and the soft glow on the horizon. A landscape photograph in which light and expanse define the moment. The eye is first drawn to the bright sun and then follows the low-growing plants into the depth of the scene. The dark edges of the rocks frame the glow at the centre of the composition. Distant mountain ranges form a calm, softer line that conveys the vastness of the landscape. The alternation between warm and cool areas lends the panorama a sense of tension without detracting from its tranquil effect. The sun is both a small point in the image and the strongest source of light in the photograph. As a wall hanging, this photograph brings the feeling of an open horizon into the room. Depending on the viewing distance, either the delicate foreground textures or the large silhouettes stand out more prominently.