Photographing the Canyons of Southern Utah: Spring 2024 (Episode 1)

In this first episode of my Spring 2024 series, I visit a canyon I've backpacked into for the past 2 years. While editing the videos I noticed that the image stabilizer of my Sony ZV-1 ran continuously even though it was suppose to be turned off. It gets picked up on my mic from time to time, so my audio isn't as clean as usual. It's one of those things most people likely won't notice, but I figured I'd mention it regardless.
The second episode of this series is already live on Patreon for those who are interested.
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Many of the voice over narratives on this trip were taken directly from my written journal. Following each video series, I scan the handwritten entries and create an eBook combining them with unedited looks at my film atop a light box. This "Unpolished" series of eBooks is available on my website. The volume for this trip will be released after the final video goes live, but past volumes from previous trips are currently available.
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If this this is something you're interested in, all past and future volumes of this series are available to those who join my Patreon at the "Annual Zine & Unpolished eBook" level. Those in this tier also receive a copy of my annual printed zine. More information can be found on my Patreon:
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[@nicholasowilliams1]

The sandstone wall is magnificent, on the verge of speechless in thought.

[@carbonejack]

You being there brings back so many memories of my visits there. I love that landscape. There's no place on earth like it. Glad to be along for the adventure.

[@BryanDorr]

The sandstone wall has a strong three-dimensional effect happening. I always appreciate your attention to detail and quality. Thanks for sharing, Ben.

[@vincentlamoureux422]

The sandstone detail close-up is amazing! Thanks again for a wonderful wilderness and creativity experience!

[@KurtLawson]

The OG landscape photographer youtuber returns with another lovely video.

[@Hirsutechin]

The regular returns to known areas - what Bill Neill calls getting friendly with a location - continue to reap rewards. Inspiration, too. It’s always a pleasure to accompany you in the wilds.

[@edn5271]

Ben: I really appreciate that you tell the viewer the date and time at the start of your video, also that you share a word or two about your mental state. Knowing when you are there and what your mood is, is important since it sets the stage. Traveling solo is not easy especially driving long distances. Thanks for the video.

[@andrewherbert9938]

Great to see you back Ben , two great photos on the first day . Love the peace and tranquility of the video

[@andrewsimpson5436]

"As I watched the intro to what is normally another highlight, Ben Exploring and another series, I realized how deep the photographic apathy had reached. As he walked into the traill I switched off" Said no-one ever! Ben's back Woo-Hoo!

[@trevorsneath4665]

Good to see you again Ben. The red and green of the canyon walls and the Juniper just look so good together.

[@vishwasnagaraju8260]

Liked both the photos Ben. Indeed the composition of the canyon photo looks very well with the 1/3rd rules.

[@SteveShueyPhotography]

Successful first day. That photo of the wall is fabulous!

[@nazeemsheik]

The spider in the sandstone image is cool.. and love that composition. thanks again for sharing another wonderful video of your experience in the wild.

[@ashvarma2486]

Great to have you back Ben. Love everything about the sandstone wall image....just beautiful. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@LeiserSchleicher]

I like the composition of the juniper photo like it is alot, with the tree in the center,the diagonal structures in the sandstone below and the opposing lines in the background.

[@kenblair2538]

Great presentation, Ben. Your images are always, great inspiration. Thanks. KB

[@ruudmaas2480]

Beautiful images as always. Those Vivo's are just fine!!

[@selzzaW]

I love that sandstone shot. Excellent work. I also quite liked the Juniper shot. I didn't think it was cluttered, just detailed.

[@markbray3038]

Thanks Ben a very good start on this trip. Until Next time.

[@brianmckeever5280]

Love the images. Reminds me of some great walls at the Valley of Fire. I wonder how many miles you'd save not retracing your steps to record the experience. I can only imagine how good it feels to get back to camp and take that backpack off.

[@berthaduniverse]

Hey Ben, good to see you back. No matter what, your work always makes my day better... I did get a feeling of a different editing style (or camera or even color space) here. Maybe it's just KZbin. Thanks so much.

[@IsabelCurdes_photos]

That photo of the sandstone wall is really wonderful. That mountain lion track would have convinced me to return further than just out of the canyon again 😂

[@pbsalfen]

Another awesome video Ben! (@3:33... That's why they make those things called leashes!)

[@emanuelbief7088]

It reminds me of the movie The Last Samurai because they did everything with great care, for example the scene where they prepare tea

[@CWReace]

Brings back fond memories of my visit to the Moab UT area a few years ago (though breakfasts and suppers were always in the motel restaurant 😉).

[@fubband]

Wonderful stuff, Ben, sandstone image is gorgeous 🙌🏻 Lovely to see some of your previous images in the b roll footage also

[@salvatoreventura8667]

Great video. Your physical fitness and hard work are impressive. Really like the sandstone image.

[@photoflooddays]

Lovely video as always! I always enjoy watching your videos as they bring calmness and inspiration. It almost feels like I am there, walking around and taking photos with you in the same location. Thanks for sharing your journey. Looking forward to your next video.

[@sander5086]

Excellent first video, from a beautiful location!! It was good to see, that the waterlevel was finally low enough to visit this other canyon. Looking forward to the other subjects, you where able to find this year!!

[@scotskinner4350]

Cool! Another Ben Horn video series. Hiking 18 miles with a large format camera? Yikes!

[@carzak]

Looked up your Tuscan stew out of curiosity. Oh man... $14.50 for that. I think I'd just bring a can of bean soup or chili or something. But, it's apparently based on Ribollita, which sounds like a delicious recipe I want to try now!

[@BenHorne]

They certainly aren't cheap, but the price is in line with most other backpacking food these days. I talk a bit about those meals in episode 2. Needless to say, I'm a fan because of the nutritional value without all the bad stuff, along with their compact size.

[@otavioleitefotografia]

Great job!

[@chrissnyder4439]

0:36 I think I've watched Top Gear too many times that an angle like this has left me expecting something to fall on the vehicle.

[@philipculbertson55]

Beautiful video and the background music complimented it nicely. Can you tell me the title of that track?

[@davidletz9123]

Thanks Ben, I always look forward to your videos. Question from a non-Off Roader: What were you doing with the tire pressure at the beginning of the video? Adjusting for the terrain?

[@BenHorne]

Hi David! The specific tires I use are best kept around 40psi on the highway, but as soon as you go offroad with them, it makes for a harsh ride. There are a few rocky ledges I knew I would have to drive over, so lowering the tires to around 20psi makes the roads more pleasant to drive on while also reducing the chance of a sharp rock leading to a puncture. I carry a compressor with me to air them back up again before driving on the highway.

[@stevenhundley8244]

What was that valve that you placed on the tire valve stem? Outstanding video, as always!

[@BenHorne]

Staun Deflators. You can calibrate them for a specific tire pressure and then they automatically stop. I have mine set to around 20psi.

[@albertotafuro6112]

I have a question for you, but to do normally, take the expouser on the dare parte, or the light parts....normally

[@codyschultz9915]

I, of course, love the sandstone close-up, but I can't believe you walked past all the potential at 4:05...

[@BenHorne]

That's my buddy "Teefs". ;-)

[@hemsathc]

Anyone else think the scene with the tree, stream, & wall starting at 18:04 would make a wonderful photo?

[@BenHorne]

You might want to watch my video journals from last year’s visit to this canyon. 😉

[@philipculbertson55]

Yes, I had the same idea..the winding stream leading to the juniper. Quite lovely.

[@mitchellmysliwiecphotography]

Love the detail in the close-up, well done. Definitely looking forward to the coming days (and wondering if that cow was from natural causes, or lion?)

[@BenHorne]

Thanks Mitch! Based on the placement of the cow along the edge of the wash and the angle of its head, I’m guessing it was taken out by a flash flood.

[@Andreas_Reuter]

Great video Ben! Is that the same canyon that years ago you encountered that weird agressive bull?? Seems like... Cheers from Germany 💯

[@michaelhall2709]

Just out of curiosity, did you consider the composition at 18:06 with the tree flanked by the large boulders on either side, with the small creek as a leading line?

[@BenHorne]

Hi Michael! That's a scene I photographed last year, so I included it in this year's videos as a way of revisiting it to show if anything has changed. Check out the first episode of last year's spring trip for the story behind that scene.

[@michaelhall2709]

@@BenHorne If I’m noticing compositions that you’ve shot, there may be hope for me yet!

[@ericrjennings]

What year is that 5th gen and how many miles?

[@BenHorne]

It’s a 2014 with 155k on it. Still has a lot of life left in it, though I’ll probably be getting a Tacoma with a pop-up camper on the back in the next couple of years. The thought of a hot shower after a long day in the field is very appealing.

[@ericrjennings]

@@BenHorne I have a 2024 5th gen myself. Avoiding the new ones (and Tacomas) with the turbo motors and going with the tried and true 4.0 and 5 speed. I have a large RV for camping trips, but I suspect that wouldn't make it out where you go. Love the channel and photography and of course your 4Runner. Keep it up.

[@brianbeattyphotography]

Man, 18 miles of hiking! I bet you lose ~5lbs every outing

[@mwlphelps]

Not a critisism, but curious what that weird background noise was?

[@BenHorne]

I added a note about it in the video description. I use a Sony ZV-1 for my backpacking trips and have the image stabilization disabled because it creates a mechanical whirring sound that is picked up by the mic. After returning from my trip, I realized that despite having stabilization disabled in the menu, it was somehow running continuously with no way to shut it off. Otherwise I love the ZV1, so I’ll likely give this one away and replace it with the ZV1 II which has no optical stabilization and a wider lens. I love having super clean audio, so it bummed me out that the camera broke.

[@mwlphelps]

@@BenHorne Thanks for the explanation. I always watch your videos on my big-ass TV, where it deserves to be watched! So, I didn't see your notes. I should have checked before asking!