For our last day of the trip, Shelley and I decided to visit Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. This National Monument is located south-east of Phoenix.
Ruins – Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
I knew that I wanted a photograph of the “Great House” as well, but there were far too many people walking around it for the composition that I had in mind. So for my first composition, I made my way to one of the smaller ruins that I had seen while walking around the site. I placed my tripod low to the ground and mounted my camera.
My idea for this composition was to go low and wide. Thus making the ruin appear larger in the frame and allowing for the sky to add drama to the final photograph. I used my 10-stop neutral density filters as well as my circular polarizer. By using both of these filters, I saw able to slow the fast-moving clouds. The use of the circular polarizer allowed me to add a vignette to the photograph in the field. It also allowed me to archive more vibrant blues in the sky.
I made this photograph with my Nikon D600 at ISO 100, 14mm, f/11, and 15 seconds.
The Big House – Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
The draw or attraction for Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is the Great House. This structure has been drawing in visitors for over a hundred years. Archeologists believe that the site was abandoned around 1450 C.E.
In 1892 a one square mile around the Ruins was set a side from the Arizona Territory by United States President Benjamin Harrison in order to preserve the location. This action makes it the oldest prehistoric and cultural reserve established in the United States.
The Ruins became a National Monument on August 3, 1918. At this time President Woodrow Wilson transferred the management of the site to the National Parks Service.
In 1932 the steel roof was added to protect the site.
In order to archive the composition of the “Great House” which I have titled the Big House I again when wide and low. By doing this I am able to exaggerate the structures around the ruin. I also made use of my 10-stop neutral density filter to allow for the clouds to blur in the sky.
I made this photograph with my Nikon D600 at ISO 100, 14mm, f/11, and 30 seconds.
If you have not yet read last weeks post about visiting Petrified Forest National Park please do so by clicking here
If you would like to see the video of our visit to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument please visit my YouTube Channel by clicking here.
