© David Muench

© David Muench

The following is the television transcript from David Muench's segment in "Images of Arizona."

NARRATIVE INTRODUCTION

David Muench's powerful images are said to have set the standard for a generation of color landscape photographers. His images are at the same time intimate and monumental. They fill more than 40 volumes in a career that has spanned 40 years. Muench has photographed many of America's natural wonders, but returns often to Arizona, which he calls a spiritual home. Join David Muench as he teaches a photography workshop in some of his favorite Arizona places.

SUNRISE AT MONUMENT VALLEY

(MUENCH VOICE OVER)

I try and photograph the most impressive power and beauty of something, and let that speak for the subject or for me, as to how I feel about a place. I like to find the essence of a place.

The light may really be skimming through there, doing what I like to call "God beams," but it's going to be very quick.

This is going to be pretty wild.

(Or take a reading directly off the hottest spot. Read on it, shoot on that, and then even underexpose for a bracket, to dramatize it.)

It's always neat to start a day off just like this. Kind of like the beginning of creation. Starts a whole new day. Just a, you know, strong rejuvenation of life.

THE JOURNEY UP TO HUNT'S MESA

(VOICE OF THE DRIVER)

Little bump, another little bump, another little bump. Watch this turn. You're going to love this turn. Just stay right where you are.

Okay, now open your eyes. This is Monument Valley. Where truly only eagles can soar.

(MUENCH VOICE OVER)

It's gorgeous air, you can see forever.

Traveling with my mom and dad both: he a photographer, she wrote.

I got attached to the earth in all these different places. I would see things, I'd hear the water, feel the rain, see the changes in seasons. It got into my blood without knowing it.

HUNT'S MESA

My dad essentially was working with Arizona Highways and doing a lot of photography for different stories for them.

Of course my dad gave me a camera. So I'd take shots too. But then of course, I wouldn't be serious about it. But I'd be critiqued very seriously by my dad.

And that just launched .The feel for Arizona for me. I like the whole desert region anyway, but the state happens to have within its borders a lot of great things. I really like the contrast. With the red rock country, to me they are everything here. The balance in between is a surprise.

My dad, this was his favorite haunting ground; he really loved it here. Monument Valley was his real center.

We're on top of Hunt's Mesa, overlooking Monument Valley, between Arizona and Utah here, right on the border.

It's just incredible, I mean, you think of this as a sea, an ancient sea. I mean a vision, a little bit a change. That's why I like these transitory moments, decisive moments between the past and the future, where you sense all that's going on in our short lifetime.

I realize this is a starting point for my finding the direction I wanted to go, right here at this spot. And it just came to me at this point in time right now, realizing the connection that wasn't thought out particularly . that really just has happened.

(VOICE OF STUDENT DENNIS)

I've been aware of David for quite awhile seeing his pictures in Outdoor Photography and looking. I own several of his books and everything. And its just, his photography is fantastic. And being able to just spend a little time with him and even to get just a couple of simple hints is well worth the adventure. Of course this Monument Valley is one of the most fantastic spots in the whole planet.

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