Ghost Launch

by Dave Diegelman

Title

Ghost Launch

Artist

Dave Diegelman

Medium

Photograph - Archival Photographs

Description

Ghost Launch; As a photographer when someone asks me to capture images on location in the wilderness I’m always excited yet respectfully leery of the light’s cooperation. When Quentin Morrisette, the owner of Over The Edge Sports in Hurricane, UT, asked me to capture the magic of mountain biking near Zion National Park for their upcoming guide book, races and events, I was ecstatic. The location and scenery of the Guacamole slick-rock trail features a stellar backdrop of Zion’s West Temple so one would think that creating enticing photographs would be as easy as handing out ice cream in the tropics but as a professional it’s my job to let clients know that good lighting,,, exceptional lighting, can be fleeting at best. That’s why many outdoor photographers refer to the job as “chasing light.”

We had agreed upon a Friday evening session and when the day rolled around to meet at the bike shop it was as dark and dank as a Mexican prison. The massive thunderheads didn’t hold a lot of promise but there was a couple of square inches of clear sky way out west and maybe, just maybe if we were very lucky, I explained, the sun would come through under the clouds just at sunset. “Sometimes that’s the most spectacular light ever, but there’s only a 50/50 chance of descent light. What’s the worst that can happen, we go out and ride?” I reasoned with Quentin and his wife DJ. With that we were skeptically off.

The half-hour ride in on the four-wheel drive road showed little promise of anything but inky gray skies yet I assured them that this game was all about perseverance and waiting. I let them know that I would just charge them a flat fee and be willing to go out until we got what we needed but just as we were pulling up to the parking area at the trailhead, the listless skies got a burst of warm light from the ever-shrinking hole in the Western sky. It had taken a bit longer to get out of the bike shop than I wanted and there was not much time left. Arthur, aka “Biscuit,” their seventeen year-old team rider was just psyched to be there and soon we were rolling and weaving through the slick-rock obstacle course.

Many riders pass through Southern Utah, a world-class destination for serious mountain bike enthusiasts, to stop for a day to ride and never end up leaving. It’s just that good. The sheer magnificence of the riding areas sows a seed of contentment in one’s heart and next thing you know, you’re hooked like an unrestrained five-year-old in a candy store.

The light streamed in under the clouds and created a rainbow that lasted for a good half-hour. We were treated to a spectacular display of light that neither words or photos could do justice.

Good times, good friends and handiwork of an awesome Creator brought the work day to an end and then it was time to just play like a kid and enjoy the gift given and the light once again distilled into a warm dusk with the sweet aroma that summer rain brings to the desert.

If you're interested in acquiring a mural-sized wall covering of this piece, feel free to inquire via email. It's a part of my Limited Edition series, with only 100 prints available. Please note that the price increases as it sells. Just like all my editions, you can obtain certificates of authenticity by providing proof of purchase and your mailing address. Please send the necessary information to ddiegelman@gmail.com.

Photo & Text All Rights Reserved © Dave Diegelman

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Uploaded

January 8th, 2024

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