Autumn Along the Mount Nebo Scenic Loop Byway

The Loop is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in America for Fall colors. As you climb the Loop, maple trees in the valley give way to aspens, and they finally give way to the conifers.

This scenic byway goes from Payson, Utah in the north, to Nephi in the south. You can return the same way you came, or if you're in a hurry, you can drive home via I-15 (at 75 mph). If you enter the Loop via Payson, you'll quickly be greeted by arching groves of Bigtooth Maple trees (Acer grandidentatum) ablaze with autumn colors.


Within a few miles, the Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides) will begin to appear. This photo was taken at about the 6,000 feet level, and includes a rustic fence make from older aspens.


Forest Ecology: At about 7,000 feet the conifers begin to crowd in. Aspens are the "nursing mothers" for conifers -- they actually allow conifers to take hold in an area. Sometimes the conifers will eventually push out most of the aspen and become the dominant species!

Wilderness Area: The above photo is actually within the Mount Nebo Wilderness Area. Elevations in the Wilderness range from 5,000 feet to 11,928 feet atop of Mount Nebo, the highest peak in the Wasatch Mountain Range. This wilderness area is located about 2 1/2 hours south of Salt Lake City.

From Film to Digital: These are "resurrected" images -- scanned from older film transparencies. They were photographed on Fujichrome 50 with the Mamya RB67 (6cm x 7cm) camera. (Scanned with the Imacon FlexTight Precision II.)

You can also view my Flickr Photostream to see more of "My Vision." Or, view my most interesting Flickr images on Flickriver.

Apple Orchard Harvest - My Vision

Here's an old-fashioned apple orchard harvest (Jonathan and Delicious) I photographed a few years ago around the end of September. You can see another cluster of bushel baskets in the distance. (Click on the image for a larger view.)

While through Payson, Utah a few years ago, we came across a small, family farm that raised apples (it's on the right side of the road, just before you drive up Payson Canyon). Ever since that first visit, we've tried to stop by around the last week of September.

Styling: As a former commercial photographer, I rarely photograph a shot just as I see, except when I'm doing editorial or environmental photography. My wife and I polished the top layer of apples (taking off the haze and dust) in the four or five closest baskets, in order to increase the color saturation; and I rearranged the position of the baskets slightly to make the shot more visually appealing.

A little styling BEFORE the shot will dramatically improve most photographs. I strongly believe in "fixing" problems before you start shooting, instead of trying to correct it later in Photoshop. The difference between a polished apple and an over-saturated apple in Photoshop is the difference between "appealing" and "garish".

You can also view my Flickr Photostream to see more of "My Vision."