This museum grade fine art photograph is available in a fine art limited edition of 200, signed and numbered with a signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance.
Gold on the Edge - Belt of Venus Sunset over Sidewinder Pinyon Pine, Jupiter Temple and Grand Canyon
North Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Sidewinder Pinyon Pine, Cape Final, Jupiter Temple, the Palisades of the Desert and the Cliffs of the North Rim at Sunset in Grand Canyon National Park
The Belt of Venus shows in the skies above at sunset as the Sidewinder Pinyon Pine grows sideways below the cliffs of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Jupiter Temple rises up from the inner canyon behind Cape Final in the distance, as the sherbet colored rocks of the Palisades of the Desert line the East Rim of the Grand Canyon 8.32 miles across the canyon. Cape Final and the cliffs of the North Rim glow in the magical sunset light, as the Sidewinder Pinyon Pine grows sideways from a narrow ledge just below an elevation of 8,000 feet, a testament to these trees ability to grow in harsh environments.
The Sidewinder Pinyon Pine of the North Rim
Pinyon Pines are most commonly found at elevations between 4,500 and 7,500 feet, though on occasion they can grow as high as 9,500 feet. They are slow growing trees that can live over 500 years, with some reaching between 800-1000 years old. Most grow on the cliff tops and plateaus of the Grand Canyon, and they are frequently seen along the South Rim and North Rim in rocky areas with shallow soil. I found this Ancient Pinyon Pine on the North Rim at just under 8,000 feet, growing sideways out of the cliff face below the North Rim. Its base is on a narrow ledge no more than a few feet wide below the cliff face. At first, it grows upwards before the trunk bends sideways, growing downward at a sideways angle before the branches of its crown spread out upwards facing the sky.
It reminded me of the Sidewinder Rattlesnakes found in Death Valley, who move sideways along the sand instead of the normal movement of a snake. This Pinyon Pine tree grew in a similar manner, and its j-hook shape was reminiscent of the j-hook shaped tracks sidewinders leave as they move across the sand dunes in Death Valley. A tree this unique deserves its own name, and seeing as it has no official or colloquial name I've named it the Sidewinder Pinyon Pine.
What is the Belt of Venus?
The Belt of Venus (also known as the antitwilight arch) is the pink glow in the sky which occurs around sunrise and sunset. It radiates out in both directions from a spot opposite the sun at a spot called the antisolar point, and is caused by sunlight from below the horizon scattering and reflecting back in the atmosphere. The blue section below the Belt of Venus is the Earth's shadow from night creeping in (or fading away at sunrise). The Belt of Venus isn't flat. It actually curves downward with the Earth's curve from the antisolar point in both directions until it disappears below the horizon, making it visible on both sides of the antisolar point.
Technical Specifications
- Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
- Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
- Settings: 24mm | f/11 | 1/4 Second | ISO 100
- Process: 2-Image Focus Stack | Successive Back-to-Back Exposures | Bespoke Multi-Layer Noise Management (Manual Masking to preserve shadow integrity and astronomical detail)
Technical Note: Focus Stacking
A 2-Image Focus Stack of two single exposure images taken at back to back. All exposures were taken at the exact same settings, shifting focus each frame to ensure sharp, in-focus details from the closest elements of the image to the Belt of Venus in the sky above. As always, no generative AI is ever used in my work.
Note on Provenance
Captured using the single exposure workflow of the "Mead Method," developed over 15 years of fine art landscape experience. This image preserves a genuine, single moment in time executed entirely in the field without the use of composites, sky swaps, or generative AI. Just a single moment in time, preserved.
Photo © copyright by James Mead.
Chromaluxe® Metal Prints | Gallery Float Ready to Hang
Vibrant. Modern. Impactful.
My Chromaluxe® Metal Fine Art Prints offer a sleek, modern presentation that’s both bold and beautiful. Using a high-heat dye sublimation process, each image is infused directly into a specially coated aluminum panel resulting in vibrant colors, ultra-sharp detail, and a striking glossy finish. The dye sublimation process infuses the image directly into the metal, creating a scratch resistant surface while helping provide permanent protection.
These prints feature:
• Vivid, color-rich surfaces ideal for modern spaces
• High contrast and incredible sharpness: perfect for clean compositions and bold landscapes
• Durable and lightweight aluminum construction
• Float mount backing for a frameless, floating display. Ready to hang out of the box
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
These metal prints are ideal for collectors seeking a contemporary look with museum-quality output. Resistant to scratch, moisture and UV fading, they work beautifully in both home and office settings.
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Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints | Gallery Float Ready to Hang
Museum-Grade Brilliance. Gallery-Worthy Depth.
Bring home the brilliance of nature with the industry’s finest print medium. My Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints are crafted using a state-of-the-art process that infuses archival pigments into a transparency layer, backed by a clear acrylic backer and mounted under crystal-clear TruLife® acrylic. This creates a luminous, almost 3D effect. Colors appear to glow from within.
These gallery-grade prints feature:
• Incredible depth and clarity, fine details leap off the wall
• Exceptional color fidelity with deep saturation and smooth tonal gradations
• Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant museum grade 1/8” TruLife® acrylic offering unmatched viewing clarity under all lighting
• UV Resistant: TruLife® acrylic blocks up to 99% of UV rays
• 1/8" clear acrylic backer mounted using an archival adhesive layer
• 1.25” Roma wooden rear float mount frame inset 2” from the edge for a clean, frameless display that is ready to hang
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
• Ready to hang out of the box: no glass or framing required
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
Whether you're designing a luxury interior or curating a personal gallery, these prints are built to impress and designed to last a lifetime.
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Roma Framed Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints | Museum-Quality Ready to Hang
Timeless elegance. Unrivaled depth. A true centerpiece.
My Roma Framed Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints represent the pinnacle of archival display. These statement pieces combine the award-winning brilliance of Lumachrome HD with the craftsmanship of custom Roma wood mouldings, transforming your chosen image into an heirloom-worthy work of art.
Each piece is handcrafted by master printmakers and framers in the USA using museum-grade materials. The print itself is infused with archival pigments into a transparency layer, mounted to an archival acrylic backer and face-mounted and sealed under a 1/8" layer of crystal-clear TruLife® acrylic: a premium optically-coated surface that eliminates reflections and enhances depth, vibrance, and clarity.
Surrounding this luminous presentation is your choice of genuine Roma Moulding, hand-built with a choice of 3.5" or 4" Italian made wooden Roma frame with a 3" black linen liner for a refined, framed, museum grade appearance. This adds approximately 13 to 14 inches to both the height and width of the final piece. This level of finish is rarely seen outside of luxury interiors and gallery exhibitions.
After placing your order, I’ll reach out personally to confirm your ideal frame and liner pairing from my curated Roma collection. If you’d prefer to finalize your framing choice in advance, feel free to reach out any time for a custom recommendation.
These museum grade works of art feature:
• Gallery-grade presentation with luminous depth and 3D effect
• TruLife® acrylic: anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and blocks 99% of UV
• Archival quality construction with pH-neutral adhesive and backer
• Available in your choice of 3.5" or 4" Roma wood mouldings with a black linen liner for a framed, museum-grade appearance
• Museum-grade 3" black linen liner for added depth and visual separation
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
• Ready to hang out of the box: no glass or framing required
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 4-5 weeks for production and delivery.
Whether displayed in a luxury residence, corporate lobby, or fine art collection, these framed prints command attention and offer a sense of permanence few art mediums can match.
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These are investment-grade art pieces designed to last generations. If you have any questions, need any mock-ups or if you need anything else before purchase, please reach out and I will be in contact shortly.