Photographer Profile: Kathy Ann Lichtendahl

Devil’s Canyon, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. The biggest challenge with taking this photo was that the cliff plunges approximately 1000 feet just beyond the arch. There was very little light in the sky, which meant I was moving around in near darkness in a spot where the wrong move would be disastrous. Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Tamron 15-30mm, RRS Tripod. Exposure: ISO 800, f/11, 4 sec.

Horseshoe Bend, Wyoming. The biggest challenge in taking this photo was waiting for the right mix of sun and clouds to highlight the area of the image I wanted to focus on. Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, 100-400mm at 153mm. Exposure: ISO 200, f/8, 1/125 sec.

Bighorn Canyon. I had planned to be at this location just before dusk to catch the last rays of sun on the canyon walls, but it started clouding up about an hour before I arrived. I walked out the mile from the trailhead anyway only to be disappointed by the lack of sun. I turned around and headed back to my vehicle and just before I got there, a break opened in the clouds, letting a few last rays through. I took off at a full run back to my position and was able to grab a couple frames before the clouds returned. Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-105mm at 67mm, RRS Tripod. Exposure: ISO 200, f/11, 1/400 sec.

Clark, Wyoming. Catching the Pinyon Jays at just the right moment is always a challenge. For several days each summer they spend hours harvesting the ripe pine nuts from the mature cones, but they rarely sit still for long so the goal is to get them in motion when they are not obscured by branches.Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, 600mm lens, +1.4x. Exposure: ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/2500 sec.