Exploring Desert Light

Lunar Glow in Death Valley

Understanding the nature of the desert landscape means being open to its amazing range of light. Driving across the desert in the early evening revealed the scene below. I’ve never seen the moon’s glow reflected quite like this.

Lunar Glow in the Desert by Richard Lewis

Lunar Glow in the Desert by Richard Lewis 2015

What’s So Bad About the Badlands?

The more I photograph Death Valley’s Badlands, the more I fall in love them. The colors and textures revealed in the early light are so beautiful that I’d rather call them the “Goodlands.” Sure, that is easily said when a sturdy 4 wheel drive vehicle is parked a mile away and it is a short drive to a hardy breakfast. One can only imagine looking across this scene, years ago, when life was dependent on crossing this rugged landscape on foot or by horse to know why they were called the Badlands.

Badlands at Dawn by Richard Lewis

Badlands at Dawn by Richard Lewis 2015

Saved By the Light

The following images are the result of a bad navigation mistake. Because my phone’s GPS was not working here, I used compass readings from various landmarks to get to a shooting location in the dark. On this morning, I wanted to shoot the sunrise from the less visited side of the Mesquite Sand Dunes. I had the correct compass heading, but started from the wrong landmark which was one of many sign posts along the road. In hind sight, a sign post was probably not the best landmark to pick and was too late before I realized that I was not where I wanted to be.

Fortunately, I was saved by one of the most amazing shows of morning light I have ever seen in Death Valley. While the foregrounds in these photographs may not be most exciting things to focus a lens on, the light makes up for it. That is why I feel the need to share this early Death Valley morning with you.

Morning Dunes by Richard Lewis

Morning Dunes by Richard Lewis 2015

Morning Light on Cotton Ball Basin by Richard Lewis

Morning Light on Cotton Ball Basin by Richard Lewis 2015

I’m including this image which shows the peaceful feeling of an early morning in the desert. Although far from a dramatic desert landscape, it shows that the desert is a rough environment to try to exist in, no matter what species you happen to belong to. In the early light on the morning, before the challenges of a day in the desert begins, it is a magical and beautiful place to be.

The Peace of a Desert Sky by Richard Lewis

The Peace of a Desert Sky by Richard Lewis 2015

Enjoy