Chicago-based photographer Matt Lief Anderson is an expert at capturing amazing travel images and he has recently outdone himself. While on a trip around America’s Southwest, Anderson travelled through Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Along the way, he photographed amazing natural scenery and breathtaking sights such as Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend for an exclusive 24 hour iGNANT episode. Not only are these photos visually stunning, they also show the progression of the photographer’s journey, taking viewers along for the ride as he sees the world through his own lens.
The photographs below feature a brief description by Anderson, detailing what was happening when each image was captured. This helps onlookers to see a story unfold behind each beautiful snapshot.
Above: “The unofficial start to the trip is in South Dakota’s Badlands, where you can pitch a tent anywhere in the park as long as you are out of site of other campers. I race South on assignment to shoot a music festival in Colorado.”
“I have a break from the music festival I’m shooting so I take a drive around Roosevelt National Forest.”
“The festival is over and I start my trip. I’ll be drifting around The Southwest for the next couple of weeks. The first stop is Rocky Mountain National Park.”
“The road south on HWY 285 is mind-blowing. The snow gives way to sand and dust. It actually feels like summer finally.”
“The sun goes down and I take a break to enjoy the stars. Storm clouds form and I have to hike back to my car in the dark. I arrive just in time to avoid some intense hail. I skip camping and drive to Alamosa for a cheap motel.”
“I turn off the road on a mountain to make coffee and see this. I keep heading South because I have to be in Phoenix to pick up my girlfriend Sandra who is joining me for the rest of the trip.”
“I trek down a dusty road at Monument Valley and hitch back up to the top where my car is parked. I drive back to Goosenecks in Utah where I’m camping for the night.”
“Goosenecks is one of the best places I’ve ever camped. I love that you can throw a tent up 10 feet from the lip of a giant ravine. I’m definitely keeping this in mind on my way back through with Sandra.”
“On my way out, I take another drive through Monument Valley.”
“I make a quick stop in Page to check out Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend. It’s incredibly beautiful, but it’s far too touristy. I ditch the crowds of people and keep heading South.”
“We start the next morning with a hike around Bryce Canyon.”
“We stop for a quick picnic somewhere overlooking Lake Powell for lunch.”
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via [iGNANT]