Transcendence – White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

If there ever was a photographers playground to learn something about yourself creatively White Sands National Monument is the spot. Every time I visit I find new landscape opportunities and more importantly I expand my ability to see creatively. 100,000 acres of wild dune fields might seem monotonous or overwhelming, but once you venture out into the void the isolation allows you to focus in a new ways.  An added bonus is the amazing southwest light that transforms the terrain in rather dramatic fashion.

For this particular photo after walking deep into the dune fields, late afternoon light allowed more and more texture to be visible as the sun set. The side lighting in this scene allowed me to capture not just the dominant leading line of the steeply sloped dune to the lone cloud, but the contrasty texture of the sand making up the dune.  In addition the changing slope of the dune shows differing amounts of texture based on the angle of the light hitting it allowing me to capture a gradient of texture in the foreground to none at the dune/sky transition. Given the amount of sand, the number of dunes, and constant changes in lighting conditions I think White Sands must have an infinite number of unique compositions waiting to be discovered.

If White Sands National Monument is on your list of  places to visit join me on my  White Sands by Moonlight photo tour in October 2011.

[tags]Photography, White Sands National Monument, fine art, stock photo, landscape, nature[/tags]