Black Canyon sunset

[MattBurt]

I live a little over an hour from this location (Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP) and I went for a hike and shoot there last weekend. The light that day was not the best and my images were not quite what I was hoping for. I had to buy a 7 day pass so I figured I'd use it again and go for sunset one evening. I went last night and luckily got a nice sunset. This was at the "Sunset View" spot so I was not alone.
But I think I was alone in getting the telephoto shot of the hazy rays. I even heard two other guys talking about how I was just going to get "glare".

IMGP2799-Edit by Matt Burt, on Flickr

IMGP2859-Edit by Matt Burt, on Flickr

[guido]

Sky on the second one is amazing! Nicely done!

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

If that's "glare," I'll take it.

[MattBurt]

I wonder now if they were using cheap polarizers or something and all they were getting was flare.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Love the first one!

[Paulo Bizarro]

Well done.

[Bob_B]

The atmospheric layering of the first photo is sensational. Well done.

[francois]

The first shot with the layering ridges is a beauty, I like it a lot. The sky in the second shot is spectacular but as a whole image, I prefer the first one.

[MattBurt]

Thanks for the comments!
I think I like the first better as well but I kind of felt an obligation (not sure to whom or what, maybe to myself?) to get that postcard view in the second too.

[RSL]

Well done, Matt. It's been a while since I visited the Black Canyon, and I guess I'll never make it back again. I love the first shot. There were times when the atmospherics would let me get that kind of layered effect shooting toward Pikes Peak from Colorado Springs. But the second one shows me the Black Canyon I remember. Love it.

[Telecaster]

Love #1.

All my favorite photos from my last Grand Canyon stay were via 75 & 150mm lenses (m43 camera, 150 & 300mm "equiv.").

-Dave-