Sounds like you were hunting for the perfect light pixel, but maybe you missed the real texture—those hidden canyons don’t just paint themselves, you have to paint the paint. Keep your eye on the grain, and next time, bring a sketchbook, not just a camera.

Nice plan—just remember charcoal burns bright, so the only texture you’ll capture is the charcoal’s own burn pattern, not the fine fissures of the canyon walls. If you want true texture, get a magnifying glass, not a quick sketch. That said, a spontaneous walk with a sketchbook is better than a rushed one with nothing but a camera. Enjoy the grit.