Here are some images from my first Death Valley trip for the new year.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Early morning light momentarily reveals treasured patterns in the shifting sands. Mesquite Flat Dunes, Death Valley NP. (Canon R5 w/ TS 24mm lens – 1/100 sec. f11)
On this trip I decided to pack my Tilt Shift lenses. Using these lenses requires me to slow down and be more methodical in my photography. These lenses allow me to control perspective and depth of field. Most importantly they help keep me focused on the moment in which I am creating the image.
Darwin Falls
No, It’s not a mirage. This spring-fed waterfall flows year-round in a narrow gorge filled with lush thickets and song birds in the spring. (Canon R5 w/ RF 24-70 f2.8 – 2/5 sec. F11)
I have been visiting Death Valley for nearly 50 years and this was the first time I have visited the falls. The falls are located just west of Panamint Springs. From the highway you follow a 2.5 mile unpaved road to the trail head. It is a mostly level, one-mile walk to the falls that involves rock scrambling and several stream crossings.
Manson Truck, Ballarat Ghost Town
Old, abandoned vehicles dot the Death Valley landscape. This one is rumored to have a notorious past. (Canon R5 w/ 24-70 f2.8, 1/160 sec f8)
The Manson Family hung out at the Barker Ranch a few miles from Ballarat. This old Dodge Power Wagon was rumored to have been driven by “Tex” Watson, one of Charles Manson’s followers, as he fled prior to a raid of the ranch to round up the Manson family. The truck broke down as he made his escape forcing him to hitchhike back home to Texas.
Detail of Manson Truck, Ballarat
In Death Valley sand, rock, sky, or as in this image, the bed of an old truck provided a canvas for nature’s art. Here in the peeling paint and rust nature chose a palette and impressionistic style evocative of a Van Gogh painting. Ballarat, CA. (Canon R5 w/RF 24-70 f2.8, 1/80 sec. f8)
Exploring and photographing the grand vistas of Death Valley is inspiring. Equally inspiring is discovering the myriad photographs that can be found in the fine details. Always take the time to look closer at your subject to find the “picture within a picture”.
Mosaic Canyon
This is a classic slot canyon with narrow steep sides carved through marble and mosaic like conglomerates. (Canon R5 w/ 24mm TS, 1/125 sec. f8)
Easily one of my favorite canyons in Death Valley. The canyon has a diverse range of geologic formations and the contorted, polished marble walls contain many pleasing compositions for the photographer.