This photo is one is from one of my favorite sessions which was a trip to Death Valley National Park. It is a place I have driven by many times but never stoppe...
Read more
This photo is one is from one of my favorite sessions which was a trip to Death Valley National Park. It is a place I have driven by many times but never stopped to look around. I lucked out that when i visited there was a full moon which made for some nice other worldly shots with a mix of shadows and stars. The full moon also made it much easier to find my way out of the sand dunes late at night.
Read less
Read less
Views
9237
Likes
Awards
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Contest Finalist in Night Wonders Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in What A Night Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Nature And The Night Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Desert Views Photo Contest
Runner Up in Monthly Pro Vol 27 Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 27 Photo Contest
Featured
Contest Finalist in Alluring Landscapes Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Love it
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Top Ranks
Categories
annahergert
January 13, 2016
Stunning imagery - haunting and mesmerizing! What a great opportunity to capture this at night - and for you to recognize its strength despite passing by this spot numerous times before. Can't wait to see you more of your work.
BPZJr
February 08, 2016
This is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!! OMG...it looks like something from the TV Series "STARGATE" - EXQUISITE!
stevenranger
February 22, 2016
I love this photo, I dream about being in the Dessert at night. This is why. One day I will get there. :)
Pamelabole
April 12, 2016
Wow....amazing capture! The more I really LOOK, the more I love it! Congrats on your well deserved award!!! : )
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on a quick trip to Death Valley National Park. I stayed at a hotel close to the Mesquite Flats sand dunes so was able to get quite a few shots of the dunes during my stay.Time
This image was one of many that I took over the course of two nights visiting the sand dunes. It was nearly a full moon so there was lots of light to see where I was walking.Lighting
When I took this photo the moon was nearly full. I was a bit disappointed in that it was washing out the stars but it made for some great shadows on the dunes and allowed me to work with a lower ISO.Equipment
This photo was taken using my Nikon D7000. I used a Tokina f2.8 wide angle lens.Inspiration
I had hoped to make it to the Race track playa but I was a bit nervous to take my wimpy rental car out on the rocky road so I went to plan b to spend most of my time at night exploring the sand dunes. Once I took a couple of test shots I loved the contrast of the blue sky and the brown dunes so I set out to find some interesting compositions that didn't have to many foot prints.Editing
I do a fair amount of processing on my photos to get the look that I like. In the case of this photo I think made a black and white version and a color version but didn't like either so blended the to together to get a kind of other worldly feel.In my camera bag
My travel bag usually includes a Nikon D7000 body, a Nikkor 18-300mm and a Tokina 11-16 wide angle. I generally travel pretty light so that I can fit my gear into my laptop bag. I throw my Really Right Stuff ball head in my bag too. I check my Manfrotto tripod when traveling by air but keep a small backup in my bag in case my luggage gets lost.Feedback
The sand dunes in Death Valley National Park provide great photo opportunities night or day. It is worth trying both to see what you can get. Hiking in a bit farther helps to not see so many tracks from people walking around. Night shots will require a good tripod, long exposures of 15 to 30 seconds and a good headlamp is helpful.