# Icy U **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** landscape, grand, weekly-challenge\ **Created:** [September 21, 2026, 11:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334 "2026-09-21T23:48:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bill\_Fach](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_fach/32/78290_2.png) [@Bill\_Fach](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Fach)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 11:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/1 "2026-09-21T23:48:16Z")
![Original - Icy-edge-10747A700-25.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/8/6/86a406be258ecde2ad8bb665d4efe132babd1e0b.jpeg) ### Weekly Challenge Natural Calligraphy 9/20/26 - 9/26/26 **Critique Style:** Standard The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below. **Feedback Focus:** Artistic / Expressive ### About This Image One from the archives and certainly an iconic spot but I thought the conditions made the view a little special.\>=))\> ### Feedback Requested Seeing the bottom of the U might be cool but if you’ve ever been there you know that the edge (at that time) had no barrier and it was icy where I was shooting so I was not going to get any closer! ### Technical Details Sony A700 Sony DT 16-50 f2.8 @ 16mm ISO 200, 1/30 @ f8 ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 4:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/2 "2026-09-22T16:02:23Z")
Certainly fits the theme, Bill. I probably wouldn’t have managed to get that close to the edge. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/3 "2026-09-22T16:52:13Z")
Yes, not a place to be for those with acrophobia. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/4 "2026-09-22T17:26:25Z")
> [@Bill\_Fach](#): > > Seeing the bottom of the U might be cool but if you’ve ever been there you know that the edge (at that time) had no barrier and it was icy where I was shooting so I was not going to get any closer! I’ve just been re-reading John Muir’s “My First Summer in the Sierras” and this reminded me of his entries for [July 15th and 16th.](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/32540/pg32540-images.html#Page_115) ---
**Author:** ![Igor\_Doncov](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/igor_doncov/32/579_2.png) [@Igor\_Doncov](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Igor_Doncov)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/5 "2026-09-22T19:18:42Z")
This is definitely on my bucket list. The very top is pure white with no definition. I thought a crop to remove some of it to the point where there are some features would be good. Unfortunately it makes the composition too panoramic for the subject but I thought I would offer it anyway. Another idea is to use a square aspect ration since the subject is pretty symmetrical. That involves cutting into the edge of the shoreline and changes the image considerably . It’s certainly not how this iconic scene is usually presented. ![Icy-edge-10747A700-25b](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/6/5/653a9b9f11bf5eef29d7db3293d2b292050aa55f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/6 "2026-09-22T21:17:02Z")
Lovely capture, Bill. I like the water and rock color and think the white snow adds a lot to the scene. I was there around 2018, and it was very frustrating to be incapable of getting the whole U. I realized, if I hadn’t known before, just how obsessive I can be about such things. Edit: I thought this was Deadhorse, but I was wrong. I’ve never been to this one. Thanks for sharing from the archives! ML ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@Ed\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/7 "2026-09-23T22:16:19Z")
Hi Bill, This is certainly a grand view and for sure and an icon for a reason. I am enjoying the snow and the fact that it contrasts beautifully with the red rocks. It would have been nice to have the bottom of the river, but there is no way I would get any closer to the edge either. I definitely have a fear of heights. Anyway, beautifully done! BTW, I love the play on words with the title. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/8 "2026-09-24T21:40:56Z")
Bill, I remember this view and your adventures getting the shot. The big curve (is nicely caligraphic…if that’s a word 😆… and show up very well surrounded by the red rocks and snow. I also like seeing lots of detail in the water. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/9 "2026-09-24T22:27:12Z")
Fantastic with the snow!!! Go back with your drone! (But would it be legal there?) I too have the iconic cut-off view somewhere in my ancient archives. ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/10 "2026-09-25T23:16:12Z")
Oh, I think you have a point, Diane. I don’t think it’s a national park. It’s that area of Glen Canyon Recreation, right? I was thinking Deadhorse point, which is also a state park, not a national park. This is too round for Deadhorse. That said, I just googled it; no drones at Horshoe Bend unless you have specific permission from the supervisor. Start writing your letter, maybe offer the park free use of your images. ML ---
**Author:** ![Lon\_Overacker](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lon_overacker/32/10929_2.png) [@Lon\_Overacker](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Lon_Overacker)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/icy-u/52334/11 "2026-09-27T00:12:37Z")
Bill, Wow, this is spectacular and actually somewhat unique, I think. It’s the snow that makes this one a little different than what we most often see; snow on the rocks AND falling. This is just fantastic. I’m quite certain I wouldn’t have gotten any closer - even if there was a guardrail, I was strapped to a harness and was blindfolded (well, then I could appreciate the view at all…) Here’s the saving grace on the cut off bottom… it’s intentional. Yeah, we know why, but from a composition standpoint, enough of the bottom is excluded for the viewer to know it was left off intentionally - if that makes sense. What an experience that must have been!