Monument Valley - The Classic View
by Alexandra Till
Title
Monument Valley - The Classic View
Artist
Alexandra Till
Medium
Photograph - Photographs - Prints - Digital Images - Cards - Posters - Photo-calendars - Photo Art
Description
© Christine Till
Monument Valley (Navajo: Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, meaning valley of the rocks) is perhaps the most famous example of the classic American West landscape. Located within the Navajo Nation near the Four Corners on the border of Arizona and Utah, this region of the Colorado Plateau is characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 ft (300 m) above the valley floor.
This iconic "Wild West" landscape feels incredibly familiar - the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park has been the backdrop for numerous western movies, ranging from the films of John Wayne to 'Back to the Future 3', 'Easy Rider', 'Thelma and Louise' and 'Forrest Gump'. Ansel Adams, Georgia O’Keeffe and Annie Leibovitz have also captured the timeless beauty of Monument Valley. The Valley has helped to make each of these photographers famous.
As a result, it is difficult to come away with some great photographs without having them be a cliché. But no image can possibly capture the scope of this valley and how magnificent it is. John Ford, who filmed Westerns in the valley, called it the "most complete, beautiful and peaceful place on earth."
Uploaded
September 21st, 2013
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