The Mittens at golden hour

The Mittens are the signature formation of Monument Valley — two nearly identical buttes standing side by side, both named for their resemblance to an upraised thumb. Late sun turned the sandstone a deep rust orange against a sky just busy enough with cloud to keep the blue from going flat.

Getting the shot

The scenic drive’s overlooks give an unobstructed view of the formation without needing to hike in, which makes the light the only variable worth chasing here — waited for the sun low enough to saturate the rock’s natural red-orange color without going into full silhouette.