American Southwest Photography
The American Southwest includes Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. I have a very strong, yet unexplainable tie to Arizona. The desert and Sedona to be more specific! One day I hope to settle down in that region, at least seasonally. For inquiries on print sizes, available mediums (ie. paper, metal or canvas), and pricing on the captures below, please email me at: ryanjdrewes@gmail.com.
Hover and click on the images below to expand them:
"The Birthing Cave" ~ Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters the most. ~Buddha~ Quite the place to be reborn. (Sedona, Arizona)
"That Person" ~ I was that person! You know, that person who leaves the bag of dog shit on the side of the trail? That person when you walk by said bag of dog shit you say to yourself, “how come they just didn’t take it out with them?” I walked 3/4’s of this trail with the bag in my right hand. And then it happened! I got back to my truck and remembered where I had left it. I placed it down when I stopped to capture this shot.The lesson of my evening, next time you see a bag of dog shit on the side of a trail, be gentle with your thoughts. Maybe the person just like you, had simply forgot it. (Sedona, Arizona)
"Courthouse Butte" ~ Courthouse Butte stands 5,454 feet above the northern edges of the village of Oak Creek. It’s an area I rarely explored when visiting Sedona, but for whatever the reason, found myself spending more time around it than I had before. (Sedona, Arizona)
"Lives of Yesterday" ~ Inside this cave were remnants of the past, a past that is quickly being buried with time. Once home to natives, the ceiling was covered in black soot. A sure sign that fires were being built inside of them, either for cooking and/or to keep warm. A small brick wall, lay just to my right. As I traced my fingers along the gritty structure of stone, I couldn’t help but feel some energy bleeding from the past. Such simple lives of yesterday, replaced today with a society full of lies, greed, and gluttony. (Sedona, Arizona)
"Cathedral Rock" ~ What made this capture so special for me, is the fact that I had to cross Oak creek in about knee deep water to get this shot of Cathedral Rock looking down upon its reflection. Add in the fact that I had my camera and tripod in one hand, while control of the dog lay in my other (whom happen to be waist deep in the flowing water), it turned out to be a very bonding experience for both of us. Shoes and socks off, paws gently reaching for traction, we both tediously walked across the slick polished rocks that lined the river bed to reach the other side. (Sedona, Arizona)
"Mystical Snowscape" ~ Just when Sedona couldn't get anymore mystical, it decided to snow. (Sedona, Arizona)
"Beautiful You Are" ~ Beautiful you are ... The sun meets your face ... Shining ... Good morning my love. (Sedona, Arizona)
"Trodden Road" ~ I'd say this is one of, if not the most famous photograph with-in Valley of Fire state park. It's pulled back and gives the viewer an overall vantage point of not only the rocks but the Instagram famous trodden road. (Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada)
"Empty Roads" ~ On the other side of these empty roads, lies solitude. A chance to surrender to the noise and distractions that have plagued us all. On the other side of the fear and the angst lies peace. A chance to come home. (Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada)
"Ablaze" ~ The red sandstone is set ablaze, amongst a backdrop of blue. (Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada)
"Reflections of You" ~ I fell into this pool of water trying to capture this shot. It happened to be a reflection of me, and not of you. (St. George, Utah)
"Talkin' Baseball" ~ Miller Park in Provo, Utah, is ranked as one of the most picturesque ballparks in America. Einstein Bagels used to have a franchise in Wall Township, New Jersey. What do these two things have in common? To the normal person, absolutely nothing. To me, a whole lot of everything. (Provo, Utah)
"Seeker" ~ Should a seeker not find a companion who is better or equal, let them resolutely pursue a solitary course. ~Buddha~ (Holden, Utah)
"Sunshine Ray" ~ Lake Haiyaha glowed a dim turquoise green. Partially frozen over, she didn't reveal all of her colors, but she did just enough to tease. I on the other hand froze, as I looked around for various spots to capture her essence. (Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado)
"Rustic Courthouse" ~ Looking northwards towards Courthouse Butte in Sedan, Arizona. No color this one, just a rustic look into the past. (Sedona, Arizona)