Elephant Rocks & Johnson Shutins
These images are from an early June visit to Elephant Rocks and Johnson Shutins, two state parks about an hour and half south by southwest of St. Louis, and about a twenty minute drive from one another. The Shutins are arguably more popular because it features a series of natural waterslides and cooling pools, but a normal trip for a family would be to visit both in a day. The Elephant Rocks make for great scrambling and exploration and unwieldy hiking. It feels possible to get lost despite the main trail—the Braille Trail—being a loop.
35mm, f/8
14mm, f/8
35mm, f/8
35mm, f/9
35mm, f/8
85mm, f/3.2
35mm, f/4
I really loved shooting the Shutins. Both parks were a lot of fun, but my preference is to have people in frame and everyone is having a blast at the Shutins! I meant to make it back this season, but it's likely too late now.
85mm, f/7.1
This remains in my top 10 favorite photos so far. Often photographers are aiming for depth of field. This image has almost none, but to my eye the 'flatness' is what makes it work.
85mm, f/3.2
85mm, f/7.1
20mm, f/6.3
85mm, f/6.3
