May, 2013


30
May 13

Death Valley 2013–Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes 4

Photograph of sand dunes at Mesquite Flats, Death Valley National ParkI carried two cameras into the dunes so that I could use different lenses without having to change them in the sandy environment. One camera had a telephoto lens for isolating elements in the dunes. The other had a wider lens for compositions like this one.


27
May 13

Death Valley 2013–Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes 3

Photograph of sand dunes at Mesquite Flats, Death Valley National ParkThe eye follows the strong lines of the ridges of the dunes. Good compositions stretch in every direction; S-curves and leading lines abound. It is very satisfying to be in the middle of the dunes with good light and a camera. It makes the effort to get there worthwhile.


24
May 13

Death Valley 2013–Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes 2

Photograph of sand dunes at Mesquite Flats, Death Valley National ParkThere is usually a very brief period of time when photographing the patterns in the dunes works well. The low angle of light at sunrise or sunset causes shadows that emphasize ridges and patterns. Sunrise works best and, often, the best light only lasts for 15 or 20 minutes.


20
May 13

Death Valley 2013–Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes 1

Photograph of a tree trunk and sand dune at Mesquite Flats, Death Valley National ParkThe Mesquite Flats sand dunes are near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley and are easy to access from the road. Because they are easy to access, it is a chore to find dunes without footprints. Powerful winds can sometimes quickly erase footprints, but more often they cover the closest dunes. The solution is to be willing to walk farther than anyone else.


16
May 13

Death Valley 2013–Moon Set Mesquite Flats

Photograph of a full moon setting at Mesquite Flats, Death Valley National ParkI timed my visit to the Mesquite Flats sand dunes to arrive as the moon was setting and before the sun rose. I parked a mile from the paved parking area in order to hike into some of the more remote sand dunes. I wanted to photograph the setting moon with the dunes in the foreground. Unfortunately, I underestimated how far away the dunes were and didn’t get there in time. This was as close as I got before the moon set behind Tucki Mountain.


13
May 13

Death Valley 2013–Zabriskie Point

Photograph of Zabriskie Point in Death Valley at sunsetThe first evening of a three day visit to Death Valley National Park. Zabriskie Point is a highlight for most photographers but it is best at sunrise. It is common to jostle for tripod space and shooting angles in the morning light. We were here for a Park Ranger presentation. It was after sunset and no one else was shooting.


9
May 13

Road Trip–Seattle Night Skyline

Photograph of the Seattle, Washington Skyline at nightThe last image from the September Road Trip, 2012. The Seattle skyline at night. Taken from Bainbridge Island, Washington.


3
May 13

Road Trip–Bainbridge Island Stained Glass

Photograph of a stained glass window in a Methodist Church on Bainbridge Island, WashingtonA very nice window in a Methodist Church on Bainbridge Island in the state of Washington, September, 2012.