Landscape, Nature And Travel Photography

In 2004 I stumbled upon an incredibly interesting area of White Sands National Monument while hiking out into the 360 square miles park, an area I can only describe as an ancient dune field. When I first discovered this area I photographed one of the many yardangs I found in this isolated area (see photo #2 in My Top 5 Favorite Photographs and Accompanying Stories), but upon my return in April of 2010 the formation I originally photographed had been eroded into oblivion and was gone forever. I have to admit I was really bummed the formation was no longer present, but that disappointment soon transformed into an adrenaline fueled high as I discovered yardang after yardang the farther I hiked out.

Snakehead Yardang, White Sands National Monument

One of the more fascinating yardangs I found and photographed was one that resembled a snakehead emerging from a 60 foot dune. I took care to photograph various compositions of this fragile sand formation and cherished the fact that no one would ever see this formation in the exact same way. As I discovered while visiting the area of my last yardang photo these formations  are here one day and gone another. The winds of the Tularosa Basin simultaneously shapes and destroys the landscape providing a unique experience with every visit. It is for this reason that every visit to White Sands National Monument is as exciting as the first.

Photo Details:
Canon 1Ds Mark III, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 II, 16mm, 1/200 sec, f/16, ISO 200

Technorati Tags: Photography, Fine Art, New Mexico, White Sands National Monument, Landscape, Nature

The dunes of White Sands National Monument in New Mexico are an endless fascination of mine. The landscape here is full of paradoxes. The regularity of irregular patterns formed by the wind create incredibly photogenic sand patterns. The rolling dunes provide an infinite fabric to catch contrasty shadows in the sand patterns throughout the day making optimal lighting virtually an all day affair. Yet what I love most about this terrain is the ability to find simplicity amid the complexity.

Click to Enlarge

White Sands Textures I - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Photo Details:
(3) Three photo panoramic, Canon 1Ds Mark III, TS-E 90mm f/2.8

Technorati Tags: photography, fine art, nature, landscape, panoramic, New Mexico, white sands, national monument, stock photo

Back when I was discussing Consuming Color I noted I’d be sharing more of my work that explored this topic. Here is a second piece to a larger body of work I’ll be releasing in the near future. I couldn’t help but sneak this preview out before the weekend. Stay tuned for more.

Color Abstract II

Technorati Tags: Fine Art, Photography, Landscape, New Mexico, White Sands National Monument

If nature is my religion, the world is my temple.

Zen - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Walk carefully in the most pristine of locations and you’ll hear whispers and see writing. What you hear and read will be as much a reflection of you as the world before you.

Wind Etching - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Technorati Tags: Photography, New Mexico, Landscape, Nature, Stock Photo, Fine Art

As though time has stopped, waves of sand stand frozen in the heart of the vast dune field of White Sands National Monument.

Petrified Waves of Sand - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Photo Details:
Canon 1Ds Mark III, 15mm fisheye, f/22, 1/200 sec, ISO 200

While light was softer in the morning to bring out the detail of these sand formations I’ve grown to love this view with the harsher late morning light. The larger view of the patterns in contrasty light reveal a hidden “Z” providing a unique compositional element for the eye to follow.

Technorati Tags: photography, New Mexico, White Sands National Monument, desert, stock photo, fine art

The only thing more serene than a pristine desert landscape is a desert landscape at night. Ironically the desert at night is a little less serene for its inhabitants. The cooler temperatures are preferred by the many nocturnal creatures calling the desert home. For visitors like myself there is no better time to witness the desert than under a full moon. You’d be surprised how bright the moon will light the landscape. In the photo below I actually had to notch the brightness down a bit so you’d know it was a night photo. To the naked eye (once adjusted to the dark) the landscape is bright and detailed. The only difference other than the lack of warm sunlight is the foot prints of the desert inhabitants are a little fresher. I kept wondering if I would run into a coyote or fox on my night hike, but following their fresh trails I was left to wonder where they might be in the infinite dunes of White Sands. I look forward to the next time I get to share another night hike with the creatures that call White Sands home.

Moonlit Dunes - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Photo details:
Canon 1Ds Mark III, TS-E24mm f/3.5L, f/10, 2 min 20 sec, ISO 200,

Technorati Tags: photography, landscape, nature, fine art, stock photo, New Mexico, White Sands National Monument, desert

One of photography’s great paradoxes is that it’s the journey that matters most not the end result.

The majority of what we read in relation to photography is how to capture an amazing image.  A goal we all have no doubt, but…

1. For every outing to a particular location to get “the” photo I find numerous other great subjects to photograph.
   If I can’t squeeze in a shoot of these new subjects then I’m making note of them for future outings.
2. Every great photo captured leads me on a journey of experience that allows me to think of new ideas for future photos.
   With out the experience of seeing new environments, lighting conditions/phenomenon, affect of various lenses, etc. I might never find new avenues for my creativity to spill into.
3. For every photo outing taken if i’m not having fun in the process why continue on to the next?

The end result matters. It always does, but the path to that result matters most. Fueling creativity, building experience and having fun is what makes great photos even if upon first try you come back empty handed.

Egg Factory – Bisti Badlands, New Mexico
Neither the composition or conditions I had hoped for in my visit to the Egg Factory in the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico. My longer than planned search for this formation enabled me to find other great subjects and photo ideas for my next visit. Video of my experience here found in my write up Mother Nature Seldom Works on Your Schedule.

Jay thanks for getting lost, your write up pushed me over the edge to publish this thought.

Technorati Tags: photography, philosophy, Bisti Badlands, New Mexico, desert, stock photo

One of the more iconic aspects of New Mexico, almost no matter where you are in the state, are the amazing clouds that take shape. This photo best exemplifies how these beautiful clouds can enhance the already amazing landscape of White Sands National Monument.

Soaptree Yucca plant (Yucca elata) and New Mexico Clouds

Photo Details:
Canon 1Ds Mark III, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM,  f/13, 1/125 sec, ISO 200, Gitzo tripod

Unlike my previous post Yucca Shadow – White Sands National Monument this photo takes on a more classic view of the iconic Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata) plants that dot the landscape. Late afternoon light provided side lighting to enhance the texture of the beautiful White Sand and add depth to the clouds.  Unfortunately these clouds didn’t hang around long, but they were mesmerizing while they lasted.

Technorati Tags: Landscape, Photography, White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, Nature, stock photo, fine art, Soaptree Yucca, Yucca elata