Exploring Cathedral Gorge: Magic Hour, Stars, and Long Exposure Hacks

Exploring Cathedral Gorge: Magic Hour, Stars, and Long Exposure Hacks

Join me on a full day of exploring Cathedral Gorge—from magic hour light to late-night star photography. This stunning Nevada location gave me everything: dramatic slot canyons, towering rock formations, and plenty of challenges. Between battling high winds with my drone, navigating narrow canyon walls, and improvising a long exposure shutter release with nothing but hair elastics, this shoot was all about adapting on the fly.

I even decided to camp out, hoping for some clear skies between the moon setting and the sun rising. It’s all about chasing light, stars, and the unexpected beauty of places like this.

If you’re into landscape photography, star photos, or just the behind-the-scenes chaos of getting the shot, you’ll enjoy this one. Let me know in the comments—what’s your go-to trick for long exposures in the wild?

A dramatic desert canyon illuminated by warm sunlight, with winding paths carved through its rugged terrain.
The interplay of light and shadow dances across the rugged canyon walls, highlighting its timeless, weathered beauty.
A dramatic desert canyon illuminated by warm sunlight, with winding paths carved through its rugged terrain.
The interplay of light and shadow dances across the rugged canyon walls, highlighting its timeless, weathered beauty.
A dramatic desert canyon illuminated by warm sunlight, with winding paths carved through its rugged terrain.
The interplay of light and shadow dances across the rugged canyon walls, highlighting its timeless, weathered beauty.
Looking up through towering rock formations with vivid blue sky above, illuminated by the warm glow of sunlight.
A stunning upward view of towering canyon walls, kissed by the warm sunlight, with the vibrant blue sky creating a perfect contrast.
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Cathedral Gorge in Nevada USA
A stunning upward view of towering canyon walls, kissed by the warm sunlight, with the vibrant blue sky creating a perfect contrast.
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Looking up through towering rock formations with vivid blue sky above, illuminated by the warm glow of sunlight.
A stunning upward view of towering canyon walls, kissed by the warm sunlight, with the vibrant blue sky creating a perfect contrast.
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Looking up through towering rock formations with vivid blue sky above, illuminated by the warm glow of sunlight.
The interplay of light and shadow dances across the rugged canyon walls, highlighting its timeless, weathered beauty.
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Looking up through towering rock formations with vivid blue sky above, illuminated by the warm glow of sunlight.
A stunning upward view of towering canyon walls, kissed by the warm sunlight, with the vibrant blue sky creating a perfect contrast.
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Looking up through towering rock formations with vivid blue sky above, illuminated by the warm glow of sunlight.
A stunning upward view of towering canyon walls, kissed by the warm sunlight, with the vibrant blue sky creating a perfect contrast.
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Looking up through towering rock formations with vivid blue sky above, illuminated by the warm glow of sunlight.
A stunning upward view of towering canyon walls, kissed by the warm sunlight, with the vibrant blue sky creating a perfect contrast.
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Cathedral Gorge in Nevada USA
A stunning upward view of towering canyon walls, kissed by the warm sunlight, with the vibrant blue sky creating a perfect contrast.
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Looking up through towering rock formations with vivid blue sky above, illuminated by the warm glow of sunlight.
The interplay of light and shadow dances across the rugged canyon walls, highlighting its timeless, weathered beauty.
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Looking up through towering rock formations with vivid blue sky above, illuminated by the warm glow of sunlight.
Cathedral Gorge in Nevada USA
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Looking up through towering rock formations with vivid blue sky above, illuminated by the warm glow of sunlight.
Cathedral Gorge in Nevada USA
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Looking up through towering rock formations with vivid blue sky above, illuminated by the warm glow of sunlight.
Cathedral Gorge in Nevada USA
Camera: Canon 1Dx Mark II 
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
This image captures the awe-inspiring view of a canyon as seen from below, looking up towards the vivid blue sky. The rugged rock formations are bathed in golden light, emphasizing their dramatic textures and height. The perspective invites viewers to imagine standing in the canyon, surrounded by its natural grandeur.
Cathedral Gorge in Nevada USA