My Story Behind This Image
One of my goal with my photography when I was visiting the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park was to find and photograph shapes and patterns that included sweeping, soft lines. I wanted to highlight the large flowing dunes interesecting with each other, letting the viewers your eye wonder around the final image. Then it happened.
I had just finished capturing very similar composition of the layers of dunes sprawled out in front of me when I put my camera down to scan the horizon for other interesting compositions with the contrast of the bright dunes against the shadows of the late afternoon. The sun was nearing its final decent and I knew I only had a few minutes before that brilliant light was gone. Just at that moment, I noticed a person pop out from behind one of the larger dunes of what I was just photographing. The presence of a person alone in the vast layers of sand and desert moved me and I couldn't get the camera to my eye fast enough.
I quickly focused on the subject and snapped a few frames. I wasn't happy with the results. So, I zoomed in on the subject slightly and snapped a few more frames. I still wasn't happy. I zoomed in to almost 200mm, which compressed the scene and gave me the depth within the image that I was looking for. I snapped a few frames. AND BOOM. The lines and shapes of the desert where now popping within the scene better. I captured the subject as they walked along the hot dunes and adjusted my composition to include him within one of the 1/3 intersections of the frame, giving the overall image a stronger focal point within all the beautiful lines and shapes of the dunes where creating.
Tips Photographing in Death Valley National Park
Along with my story about the image, I want to share some of my top tips for finding shapes and patterns in Death Valley, along with photography techniques to help you capture the beautiful moments in this sparse landscape.
Death Valley National Park provides a remarkable setting filled with beautiful shapes and patterns. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is one of the parks focal points, known for its alluring curves and shadows and offering unique photographic opportunities.
Explore the Dunes
To truly uncover the beauty of the dunes, you must explore the area first. I recommend visiting late in the afternoon a couple hours before sunset. So you can get yourself orientated before the beautiful golden light shows up.
Start by walking out into the dunes. Get to the top (or near the top) of one of them, look around and try and visualize what image you want. And then go to that spot.
Like in the image above, the low angle of the sun during sunset adds depth and dimension to the dunes, highlighting the shapes beautifully. You want to make sure you're AT your location when this is happening, NOT hiking to your location.
As you walk through the dunes, you might encounter different perspectives and hidden forms that can inspire your photography. Don't be afraid to pivot if your eye sees a NEW perspective that you feel is better than the original idea.
Look for Contrasting Elements
Finding contrasting elements within the landscape can enhance the shapes of the dunes. Focus on items like people, rock formations, desert plants, or even animal tracks that can add depth to your photos.
For instance, when the subject popped out from behind the dunes, I knew instantly that the person within the sand dunes would create contrast and a visual interest within my scene.
Photography Techniques for Capturing the Landscape
Once you have identified subjects and shapes, the challenge becomes capturing them in a way that creates interest within your image. Here are some potential techniques to hopefully help your landscape photography:
Use Different Angles and Perspectives
Perspective can make a huge difference in your photographs. Experimenting with various angles and focal lengths can reveal unique characteristics that you might not notice otherwise.
Try getting low to the ground to emphasize the scale of the dunes, or step back for a broader view that showcases the vastness of the landscape.
Adjust your focal length, like I described above, to let your subject take up more of the image and story of the scene.
Wind and sand are not friends with your camera and lens. Make sure you select the lens you want to use BEFORE hiking out into the dunes. Changing lenses while in the dunes is not recommended. Do what I did ... consider taking TWO cameras on your hike, one with a zoom lens (70-200mm) and the other with a wide lens (15-35mm).
Play with Light and Shadows
The play of light can help significantly with your photography. During the golden hours of the day, the light creates long shadows and helps accentuate the texture within the sand.
Pay close attention to how light interacts with the dunes, creating rich contrasts and adding depth.
Light against shadow is your friend. Find the angle that gives you those elements and then work on finding compositions that includes that contrast.
Effective Tips for Capturing Challenging Landscapes
To photograph the landscapes of Death Valley National Park, especially during the golden hour, consider these photography tips:
Use a Tripod: Stabilizing your camera allows for longer exposures, which can enhance beauty in low light situations. Or can help keep your subject in frame, letting you focus on settings and composition.
Adjust Your ISO Settings: Quick lighting changes are common; adjusting your ISO lets you adjust without sacrificing your cameras settings. Always try to stay within 100 or 200 ISO, but don't be afraid to push it to 400 or even 800 in certain situations.
Utilize Polarizing Filters: I use a combination of Breakthrough Filters (3-stop and 6-stop Polarizing Filers, along with a 10-stop ND filter) as they help minimize glare and make colors pop, particularly in the sand and sky (especially skies with big puffy clouds) leading to more dramatic imagery.
Don't Forget the Foreground: Including elements in the foreground can create depth and guide the viewer’s eye into the scene.
Mastering Composition
Strong composition is crucial in landscape photography. This is a life long journey for me and one that I'm always working on.
Rule of Thirds: Dividing your frame into thirds helps position key elements tastefully, often resulting in a more balanced image.
Leading Lines: Use natural lines—like the curves of sand—to direct attention toward your main subject, enhancing visual interest.
S-Curve: Use elements within your scene to create a flowing S through your scene.
Other: Comment on my post to let me know your favorite composition.
Final Thoughts on Your Photography Journey
Exploring and photographing the unique shapes and patterns of Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park is something I always love doing and I can't wait to go back. I hope this image and words above help inspire you to plan a future trip to this wonderful National Park.
If you're interested in the image above, Click the link below to purchase a print. Limited Edition, Museum Grade Acrylic Prints are available. If you don't see this particular scene in that folder, email me and I'll open up this series for you.
Comentários