Project365 - Landscape Photography

Introduction
I have a friend, Derrell, who is a very good photographer. What I like most is his work in landscapes. Being an avid hiker, Derrell spends a lot of time in the back-country of the Canadian Rockies. You can find some fabulous examples of his work here. Personally, I don't think I have the "eye" for it like he does, but I still try to make technically good and visually interesting photographs.
The Setup
We were driving up to Red Rock Canyon, about 18 miles outside of Las Vegas, and it seemed like it would be a straightforward shoot. I mean, it's not like the subject is going to move or run away, so I could take all the time I needed, right ? =D
Camera - my trusty Canon 60D, lens - my "general purpose" 24-105mm f/4 L series zoom
The Photos

The road to Red Rock Canyon appears desolate in this photo. In fact, I was lucky that there just happened to be no cars going past at this time. The road helped create leading lines to direct the viewers eye from the foreground to the back.

These are the famous red rocks the canyon is named for. I'm quite sure a quick Google search would illustrate a high level of iron oxide in the rocks.

The gradient lines of the landscape from near to far are what captured my eye in this and the preceding photograph. The desert gives way to the foothills, which in turn give way to the mountains before reaching for the bright blue sky. It was shot at f/22, all areas are equally in focus.


Lessons Learned
I need to spend more time on this particular form of photography. While I can compose nice photos and create technically "true" representations, I don't feel very excited about my abilities in this genre. Oh, and please remember to give Derell's Facebook site a "like" if you enjoyed his work.