The taking of this photo was probably the most amusing experience I have had with photography.

This photograph of Sunrise Arch is one of the most iconic sunrise photos you could take out in the red rocks — but one you must nevertheless attempt if you have the chance. Knowing this, as well as the fact that the arch isn't very big having scouted it the day before, we woke up extra early to get there almost two hours before sunrise, at 4AM, to ensure a good shooting angle through the arch.

Turns out we were actually the 4th ones there... I added my tripod to the three others already in a line and watched as that line of tripods grew longer and longer, alternating left / right as the newcomers tried to get as close to the center of the arch as possible without upsetting "photographer etiquette"; by 5AM, when the sky was still just starting to brighten, the entire length of the arch was lined with cameras. It looked like an absolute zoo. We joined the original three as they prepared coffee, finally feeling secured about our positions as the jockeying for space moved towards the fringes of the line.

Now you know. The next time you see a photo of Sunrise Arch like this, chances are, there were many other cameras lined up just out of view — a hectic gathering for one ironic purpose: to capture a moment of tranquility.