I 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.
May, 2013
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May 13
Death Valley 2013–Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes 1
The 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.
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May 13
Death Valley 2013–Moon Set Mesquite Flats
I 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.
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May 13
Death Valley 2013–Zabriskie Point
The 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.