Navajo Nation, Page, Arizona.
Tennessee State Museum 2016

A slot canyon is basically a baby canyon – they start as a crack in the sandstone that slowly widens and deepens with each rain. Heavy rains produce flash floods and eventually the crack becomes deep and wide enough that one can explore inside. Because the water erodes the bottom of the ever-evolving canyon more than the top, the canyon takes on a cathedral-like feel – wider at the bottom and narrow at the top – almost like a cave with cracks in the ceiling. On the desert’s surface, only a crack in the ground can be seen, but far below is an abstract wonderland – light bouncing through the carved wonders of erosion.

Each day, as the sun travels a slightly different path overhead, the light illuminating the canyon floor shuffles about, creating abstract patterns that evolve before your eyes. Navigating this benign gauntlet of shifting light I rounded a corner and entered into this fiery passage, which was in full and symmetrical illumination as the sun showered light directly through the slot overhead. I rushed to create a single exposure of a scene which appeared before me so perfectly real and yet surreal. Only moments later, the light shifted and the scene was no more. Usually, a gallery-worthy image comes only after intense planning, long hours, and many repeat visits, but other times – the light just shines.