01/04/17 Featured Arkansas Photography–Sunset from Calico Rock on the White River

Afterglow from near Calico Rock on the White River in Arkansas.

Taken with a Phase One IQ100 back and Phase One XF camera @ 35mm LS lens, @ ISO 100 Single frame with a lot of push in the shadows.

The view of the White River from Calico Rock is one of the best in the state.  Here you have a huge sweeping bend in the river and a beautiful valley that is full of deciduous trees that can produce a wonderful fall color display (however this did not happen in 2016).  This spot on the river is just above the town of Calico Rock and you can easily see the town from this spot.  I prefer to work this spot in the early morning or late evening.  In the late summer to early fall the sun will set just off to the left of the frame and allows for a wonderful afterglow.  In the winter and later fall the sun will be too far to the left to be really much of a part of the shot.

If you come to this spot in late May to the end of June the sun will set right over the lone pine tree and will give you a lot more illumination on the river and trees below the bluff.  Calico Rock is also a great spot for night photography as there is not very much local light pollution that will effect your shot.  However be warned that during most nights, the river fog will quickly rise over the top of the bluff and start to block out your view of the sky.  It’s a great thing to watch as the fog starts to build up upstream and then starts to roll down the valley, eventually filling everything up.  You will have to continuously watch the front of your lens as it’s very easy for the outer element to fog up.

Just another great spot to spend an afternoon in Arkansas.