Posts Tagged ‘Death Valley NP’

May
13
2009

A Sea In Which No Oar is Dipped

If there was ever a film made that might inspire a still-photographer to take up the video, it must be Lawrence of Arabia.  The film is chocked-full, David Lean-style, with panoramic visions that, up until the digital revolution, were difficult or impossible to capture using SLRs.  Lawrence of Arabia is also one of those kooky films that people continue to quote lines from – there are websites dedicated to the subject.  My favorite line  is one that occurs in one of the first scenes including Lawrence (aka T.E. Lawrence) and Faisal,  in which Lawrence suggests that ‘…the desert is an ocean in which no oar is dipped…’ That’s a beauty line, but I cannot find it anywhere in the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, so I’m guessing it was added or adapted by the screenwriters, Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson (who were both colorful characters in their own right).

A Sea of Salt

The image above, of the sea of salt that lines the Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, was recorded on April 12, 2009, at about 18:50 PST, using the Nikon D700 and the AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens at 14mm.   Exposure was f/16 at 1/125s, ISO 200.  Contrast in the red and green channels was enhanced prior to conversion to BW using Nik Silver Efex Pro.

From Badwater, one can walk westward along a well-worn path into the Badwater Basin.  The percolation of water within the salt basin, together with the wind and rain and sun, shape the salt into formations that look remarkably like frozen waves, as shown here.

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Apr
22
2009

Death Valley Diary: April 11, 2009

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Clouds obscured the sunrise again, but the weather started to improve soon after, and continued improving throughout the day.  We packed up our gear and visited Zabriske Point at about mid-morning.  It’s quite as beautiful as advertised.

Zabriske Point

The image above was recorded on April 11, 2009, at about 08:45 PST using the Nikon D700 and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED at 29mm.  Exposure was f/16 at 1/250, ISO 200.  Manly Peak is in the mid-range about a third of the way from the right, and in the background lies the Panamint Range.

So, here we are at Zabriske Point…  We could make a grand fuss over how intimidated we might be by either the location, or the legacy of famous shooters who have defined the classic impression of it.  Nope.  There is still plenty of opportunity to make a contribution to the shared vision of even the most well-recognized locations/images.  Of course you’ve seen images of the place all over: Two of the most notable might be from the cover of the U2 album Joshua Tree (weirdly…  Dude, it’s not frackin’ Joshua Tree!) and that movie by Michelangelo Antonini…  No matter, shoot.

Zabriske Point

The image above was recorded on April 11, 2009, at about 09:00 PST, using the Nikon D700 and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED at 66mm.  Exposure was f/16 at 1/400, ISO 200.

By now I’m certain you are wondering, ‘But where’s the HP?!!!’  Nearby as always of course, as you can see below.

The HP Celebrating Rights at Zabriske

After a brief stay at Zabriske Point we headed up to Dante’s View.  This is without exaggeration one of the most impressive viewpoints on the planet.  The image below was recorded on April 11, 2009, at 10:00 PST, using the Nikon D700 and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED at 24mm.  Exposure was f/16 at 1/640s, ISO 200.

Dante's View

If you visit in the spring, be prepared for the fact that you have most probably driven from the valley floor at sea level to ~5500 ft above sea level – it’s both windy and chilly!  Most impressive are the girls in little more than bathing attire casually strolling around in 50F with not less than 20 knots of southerly breeze.  I see that you doubt my comments – okay, well have a look at the HP (below) – still think it’s balmy and +70F?!!!

HP on Ice at Dante's View

From Dante’s View is there is only one way – down.  Down to the road that runs south from Furnace Creek to Badwater and beyond.  Along the way we passed several remarkable sites, including: Devil’s Golf Course – in spite of the corny name, do not miss this; Badwater; Artists Drive, including Artist’s Palette – a beautiful juxtaposition of mineral colors; and Golden Canyon – a beautiful canyon with an optional outlet to Zabriske Point.

The digs here at Furnace Creek are significantly more posh than those we found at Stovepipe Wells.  Along with this discovery we also found where most of the people stay.  Nevertheless, the technological sophistication remains in the darks ages: No cell service, no real network access, etc. So, I have to do is write this entry and plan for tomorrow – not too shabby actually.

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Apr
18
2009

Death Valley Diary: April 9, 2009

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You might be a little surprised to know that the edge of the technological universe is Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park, CA.   So close to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, yet so far from everywhere.  Phone service = negative.  Internet Service = negative.  But let’s start at the beginning…  A late start meant that we had to pass through Las Vegas at the height of rush hour. It’s been about 25 years since I last visited Las Vegas.  Wow!  Back then; it was the strip, plus a few hotels on the major connecting streets.  Now, well let’s just say that I’ve already plotted a return route using the ad hoc beltway that avoids the megalopolis.

We entered the park technically after sunset.  Filled the gas tank at Furnace Creek.  Raced for Zabriske Point in the ebbing light.  The parking lot was literally still full of cars – we got one of the only empty two or three spots.  We dashed up the walkway to the Point. Light was just awful, but nevertheless there were half-a-dozen shooters working – I suppose this to be a harbinger of a future sunrise shoot.  It’s really pretty up on the Point, but shooting in that light, nah, too much work in the post-processing!

As curious than the weak light and the people trying to use it, was the demography.  Walking around the broad circle at the Point, I was chatting out load in the general direction of the HP; who as usual, was very politely pretending to listen and care.  The other several dozen people were giving me the curious glance.  I dismissed it at first, thinking that, as usual, they are unused to my uncommon good looks and subtle coolness.  But, as I listened to their conversations I realized that virtually everyone else was…German!!!  Gads, I immediately remembered that I’d had this feeling before, and that it was in Amish Pennsylvania – I’ve suddenly become the ‘English’!

Lot’s on the shooting agenda: Shooting the Park from 4/10 through 4/12 – The dunes around Stovepipe Wells; Zabriske point at dawn; the perspective from the heights on the way to Rhyolite and Beatty; Dante’s View, Golden Canyon, Artist’s Palette, and much more.

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