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Originally Posted by CKirk
Hello,
Well, I decided not to go to Palo Duro Canyon and go to Fredericksburg instead. We are going to visit Enchanted Rock and was wondering what is the best time to photograph in the morning or evening light? We probably won't be doing a lot of hiking due to health problems so the closest vantage point to the road would be best.
Thanks and Take care,
Craig
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I'm usually at ERock from when it opens (8AM) up until early afternoon (1-2 PM), rather than near dusk. That said, I think the best non-hiking shots of the environs and granite are probably early/mid-morning; I also have plenty of images clearly shot at midday that are OK (we've used a polarizer in those cases to help control the glare). On several occasions, we've arrived at the park at 8 AM to find the dome and surrounding area shrouded in dense fog -- more than allows for good photos, actually. As the fog lifts, though, it filters the sunlight well and really helps the colors pop, though you'll want to try to minimize the amount of sky in your photos if it's overcast. Deep blue skies, typical of stable weather patterns, make a wonderful contrast to the rock and can be included in the photo frame to good effect. Experiment on your own for what you like best.
There's a pagoda/pavilion a relatively short walk from the parking area that you should walk to if possible -- it'll give you the best non-hiking vantage point to take photographs of the primary dome at Enchanted Rock (the one most people hike to the top of). We have flown over the park many times and you can even spot people hiking the dome from the air, so if you look closely you may photograph a training line of hikers making their way up to the top of the batholith. Rock climbing is popular at the park, but most of the most popular routes are around the back side of the domes where the rock is even steeper and more sheer.
I've seen some nice sunset shots from the park, but it appears the best vantage point for that may be from the top of the domes or on the opposite side of them from the parking area. That said, the pink of the domes is so vibrant (especially this time of year with spring vegetation to accompany it), that any time of day is probably worthwhile.