30 Day Roadtrip

This blog post is part of my 30-day road trip to explore the stunning scenery and breathtaking national parks across the United States. Each stop on this journey showcases the incredible diversity of our natural landscapes, from the vibrant colors of Badlands National Park to the majestic peaks of the Rockies in Grand Teton National Parks. Join me as I uncover the beauty and wonder of these amazing destinations, one adventure at a time! Click here to see other blog posts on this trip.

Mount Rushmore: A Surprising Encounter with History and Art

As a photographer who gravitates toward the beauty of natural landscapes, I’ll admit I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of visiting Mount Rushmore. The thought of traveling to see something man-made, especially a monument carved into the granite face of a mountain, didn’t initially spark the same excitement as my usual explorations of untouched wilderness. But, as it often happens with travel, my expectations were challenged — and I’m so glad they were.

A Monument to Human Ingenuity

Mount Rushmore, as iconic as it is, doesn’t just stand as a symbol of the American presidents it depicts. It’s also a testament to human creativity, vision, and determination. Carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota, this colossal sculpture features the faces of four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

What struck me most wasn’t just the scale or the craftsmanship, but the incredible effort that went into creating this landmark.

The Story Behind the Creation

If you go to Mount Rushmore, I encourage you to see the movie in the Visitor's Center. It is very informative and changed my initial opinion of Mount Rushmore.

The idea for Mount Rushmore was conceived in the early 1920s by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who envisioned a national monument that would represent the nation’s history and ideals. The project started in 1927 and, despite its challenges, continued for 14 years — until Borglum’s death in 1941. His son, Lincoln Borglum, oversaw its completion, although funding and political issues caused some delays and changes to the original design.

The sculpture itself was carved with dynamite, which was used to remove the bulk of the rock, and then finer tools were used to bring out the details. Remarkably, the entire project was completed with only three fatalities, and much of the work was done by a team of skilled laborers working from scaffolding and ropes. The entire process was incredibly dangerous, as workers had to navigate the precarious cliffs while carving away at solid granite.

Mount Rushmore’s final look may not have been Borglum’s initial vision — the original design included the presidents holding scrolls — but what stands today is a masterpiece that commands respect. The faces are 60 feet high, and the detail in their eyes and expressions is truly breathtaking. It’s hard to fathom the scale and precision required to carve such an intricate monument, especially considering the tools and technology of the time.

A Different Kind of Beauty

At first, I didn’t expect to feel the same sense of awe that I get when photographing a sweeping mountain range or a vast, untouched forest. But standing before Mount Rushmore, I realized that its grandeur lies in more than just its physical presence. It’s the story it tells — of visionaries, skilled laborers, and a country determined to create something monumental. There’s a unique beauty in how human hands can shape the landscape, leaving behind a piece of history that will endure for generations.

As a photographer, I was drawn to the interplay of light and shadow on the granite faces, especially as the sun began to set. The changing light transformed the monument, highlighting different angles and creating dramatic contrasts. It’s fascinating how a man-made structure, no matter how intricate, can still evoke the same emotions and wonder I feel when photographing the raw beauty of nature.

Why You Should Visit

Whether or not you’re a fan of monuments like this, Mount Rushmore is worth visiting. It’s a place where art, history, and nature come together in a way that’s unlike anywhere else. The surrounding area — the Black Hills — is rich in natural beauty, making it the perfect complement to the monument itself. And for anyone with an interest in photography, the lighting conditions throughout the day offer some incredible opportunities for unique shots.

I came to Mount Rushmore expecting to be unimpressed, but I left with a renewed appreciation for what humans can achieve when they push the boundaries of art and craftsmanship. It was a reminder that beauty comes in many forms, whether shaped by nature or by hand.

If you’re planning a trip to the Black Hills or just curious about the history and significance of Mount Rushmore, I highly recommend taking the time to visit this American icon. It may surprise you, as it did me. And, as a photographer, you’ll find the landscape around the monument equally captivating.

My Camera

I’m often asked what camera I shoot with. I’m a firm believer that any modern camera today can produce a good picture. I use a Canon R5 as my main camera. It is a mirrorless camera, and more importantly it is a great tool. I am able to get it to translate the vision that I see into a photograph. My key reasons for this camera are: 

• It is 45 mp. For some photographers, that may be too much as it produces large files. As a landscape photographer it is my sweet spot. 
• It’s a Canon. I have used a lot of Canon cameras and have always found them dependable, reliable and intuitive to use. 
• The RF lenses are truly amazing. I have always had EF-L series lenses, but the RF lenses produce stunning images. 
• The image stabilization is outstanding.
• It is not too large, and not too small and works well as a travel camera for landscape photography. 

But this isn’t a blog about cameras. If you want to know more, please contact me. 

Debbi Marquette Photography is located in Upstate New York at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. Debbi is an award winning and published travel, landscape and bald eagle photographer specializing in artistic, authentic, and memorable landscape and wildlife photography. She travels frequently, lives near the mountains and constantly has a camera in her hand to capture photographs so others can see the beauty of our world.

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