Sunlight pours into Upper Antelope Canyon creating crescents of light upon the Navajo Sandstone.

Excluding the iconic light beams seen in the summer months, few shots of Upper Antelope Canyon actually include the source of sunlight.  Perhaps it’s because the extreme dynamic range creates a challenging exposure, or more likely the colors cast by reflected light is more than enough to anchor an image.  Nonetheless when I stopped at this scene I was immediately drawn by the scythe-like bands of light on the right.  My eyes immediately tracked to a tiny opening overhead, and it was only natural I included it in this shot.  When moving quickly through the canyon as part of a guided photo tour, you are given mere seconds to find a composition and minutes to properly expose and shoot.  This is the exact opposite of the slow, controlled, patient photography I prefer, but it forced me to listen to my instincts and shoot what feels right.  This composition was my first intuition, and the balance between light, shadows, and color created my favorite shot from this trip to Page.