Scott Holcomb's photos with the keyword: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Tectonic forces combine with water to sculpt the land . . . This photo was taken by a Hasselblad 500C medium format film camera with a Carl Zeiss Distagon 1:4 f=50mm lens and Zenza Bronica 67mm SY48•2C(Y2) filter using Adox CHS 50 ART film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

It is, after all, the American Southwest . . . This photo was taken by an Asahi Pentax 6 X 7 medium format film camera and Super-Multi-Coated Takumar/6X7 1:4.5/75mm lens with a Zenza Bronica 82mm L-1A filter using Fuji 160NS [220] film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

As the intense sun heats up the desert landscape, a shady retreat beneath a grove of cottonwoods affords some relief. This photo was taken by an Asahi Pentax 6 X 7 medium format film camera and Super-Multi-Coated Takumar/6X7 1:4.5/75mm lens with a Zenza Bronica 82mm L-1A filter using Fuji 160NS [220] film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

Referred to as a cedar by early Mormon settlers, this hardy tree is actually a juniper. This photo was taken by a Hasselblad 500C medium format film camera with a Carl Zeiss Distagon 1:4 f=50mm lens and Zenza Bronica 67mm SY48•2C(Y2) filter using Adox CHS 50 ART film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop

We have arrived at the Paria River canyon, once home to a Mormon settlement established 150 years ago. Before setting up camp, we explore the rugged area on the other side of the border fence. This photo was taken by an iPhone 12 Pro Max which I use for reference before taking out my film cameras

Powerful forces are at work here at Cottonwood Narrows! This photo was taken by an Asahi Pentax 6 X 7 medium format film camera and SMC PENTAX 67 1:4 45mm lens with a Asahi Pentax 6X7 67ø L39(UV) SMC filter using Fuji Provia 100F film, the transparency scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop

A journey into the rugged desert wilderness brings one nearer to the cosmos. This photo was taken by a Hasselblad 500C medium format film camera with a Carl Zeiss Distagon 1:4 f=50mm lens and Zenza Bronica 67mm SY48•2C(Y2) filter using Adox CHS 100 ART film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

The laceration is deep and the wound is severe! Healing will take ages . . . This photo was taken by an Asahi Pentax 6 X 7 medium format film camera and Super-Multi-Coated Takumar/6X7 1:4.5/75mm lens with a Zenza Bronica 82mm L-1A filter using Fuji 160NS [220] film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

When I heard about a Magical Mountain located in the Paria Canyon, I expected an amusement park. Instead, I discovered a real fantasyland full of color and, yes, magic. Admission was free. This photo was taken by an Asahi Pentax 6 X 7 medium format film camera and Super-Multi-Coated Takumar/6X7 1:4.5/75mm lens with a Zenza Bronica 82mm L-1A filter using Fuji 160NS [220] film, the transparency scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop

Foreboding skies darken the landscape with vivd tones of magenta as an approaching thunderstorm looms over Gingham Skirt Butte. Electricity is in the air as lightning dances across the sky. Thunder echoes menacingly through the canyons as storm clouds advance. This photo was taken by an Asahi Pentax 6 X 7 medium format film camera and Super-Multi-Coated Takumar/6X7 1:4.5/75mm lens with a Zenza Bronica 82mm L-1A filter using Fuji 160NS [220] film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

A new day breaks as the sun touches the upper reaches of Paria Canyon. This photo was taken by an Asahi Pentax 6 X 7 medium format film camera and Super-Multi-Coated Takumar/6X7 1:4.5/75mm lens with a Zenza Bronica 82mm L-1A filter using Fuji 160NS [220] film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

Flash flood warning This photo was taken by a Hasselblad 500C medium format film camera with a Carl Zeiss Distagon 1:4 f=50mm lens and Zenza Bronica 67mm SY48•2C(Y2) filter using Adox CHS 100 ART film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

From the depths it came . . . . This photo was taken by a Hasselblad 500C medium format film camera with a Carl Zeiss Distagon 1:4 f=50mm lens and Zenza Bronica 67mm SY48•2C(Y2) filter using Adox CHS 50 ART film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

The town of Paria or Pahreah (its original spelling) thrived for a while in the early 1860’s, after it was founded by Mormon pioneer Peter Shirts. Later, it was abandoned for a time during the Blackhawk War in the late 1860’s. Paria then began to grow again throughout the 1870’s, as settlers dug irrigation canals and diverted water from the Paria River to grow crops. The end of the town came sometime in the 1880’s, as several consecutive years of flooding finally forced most residents to leave. Repeated flooding of the Paria river over the years finally erased most traces of habitation there. All that remains today, is a small cemetery with about 20 graves. This photo was taken by a Hasselblad 500C medium format film camera with a Carl Zeiss Distagon 1:4 f=50mm lens and Zenza Bronica 67mm SY48•2C(Y2) filter using Adox CHS 50 ART film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

I have just returned from a momentous journey to a distant planet many lightyears away. I cannot divulge details about our secret mission other than to say that we did not discover life as we had hoped. During our brief stay we found ourselves surrounded by eroded hills with colorful layers under intense blue skies. Although we failed to discover alien life, plans are already being prepared to explore other distant exoplanets. My commander has permitted me to release this single photo to the public while a full report of our voyage of exploration is being prepared. This photo was taken by an Asahi Pentax 6 X 7 medium format film camera and Super-Multi-Coated Takumar/6X7 1:4.5/75mm lens with a Zenza Bronica 82mm L-1A filter using Fuji 160NS [220] film, the transparency scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop

Away from the crowds of Bryce Canyon a vast network of unimproved roads cut through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, overlooked by distant red cliffs. This photo was taken by an Asahi Pentax 6 X 7 medium format film camera and Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR/6X7 1:4/300mm lens attached to a Kenko 2X AP67 Teleplus MC6 teleconverter with a Zenza Bronica 82mm L-1A filter using Fuji 160NS [220] film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

I seek roads less traveled. This photo was taken by an Asahi Pentax 6 X 7 medium format film camera and Super-Mult-Coated Takumar/6X7 1:4.5/75 lens with a Zenza Bronica 82mm L-1A filter using Fuji 160NS [220] film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.

Powerful floodwaters came from afar one night wreaking devastation upon everything in their path. An entire settlement and life’s work was swept away by the power of Nature in a moment. Scarcely a day or two later, the calamity was replaced by a calm stillness. The stunned survivors looked out in reverence and dread. This photo was taken by a Kowa/SIX medium format film camera with a KOWA 1:3.5/55mm lens and Zenza Bronica 67mm SL39•3C(UV) filter using Kodak Ektar 100 film, the negative scanned by an Epson Perfection V600 and digitally rendered with Photoshop.