Grand Canyon, Arizona

Elves Chasm is one of the most beautiful grottos in the Grand Canyon. It is reached by hiking up a tributary canyon until it narrows and you can go no further. When you reach the end of the trail, the grotto is revealed. Emerging from the dry rocks surrounding it, a steady stream of water cascades down, giving it an unusually lush appearance, with moss, ferns and other plants draping the rocks around a splendid, multi-tiered waterfall. The contrast between arid desert and lush grotto is striking. Photographing in canyons can be a real challenge. Exposure ranges from very dark shadows to very bright patches of sun. Mid-day is usually the best time to shoot, as the light penetrates most deeply into the canyons at that time. I chose a moderately slow shutter speed to slightly blur the falling water without losing its texture completely.