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Landscape Photography Lessons From the Desert- Part 1

This is part 1 of a 3 part series about three photography lessons learned in the desert. Stay tuned for part 2 next week.

Sunset in Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, Las Cruces, NM

While hiking a dirt path for several miles, saguaro arms pointed me in the direction of my destination. I was alone, the sun was getting lower in the sky and all around me an arid landscape loomed. As the air cooled, I surveyed the landscape and saw the light hitting the fabled Lost Dutchman's mine. I was alone. Alone in the desert can be a great place to be.

The idea of desert can be a major turnoff for some people but I have found it to be an awe inspiring place, full of unique photographic opportunities. I know I am not alone in this regard. The desert has a beauty all of its own. I have been fortunate to spend several weeks in parts of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts for work in the past and it has led to some great experiences with a camera. My photos did not always turn out but the lessons learned in the desert have stuck with me.

Lesson 1- Sedona, AZ

My first time to Flagstaff was passing through to buy groceries and supplies for a trip to Grand Canyon National Park. When I saw that work was taking me back to Flagstaff, I knew I had to bring my camera along. So I researched interesting places to photograph after work and kept seeing Sedona, AZ as a must visit place. The opportunity came and I took off from Flagstaff for an afternoon of red rocks. The internet was right; Sedona is a beautiful town and the red rock country surrounding it is must see country.
Red Rock Features in Sedona, AZ

  I made my way to the visitors center to get a day pass and a map, then headed for the most famous formation, Cathedral Rock. My hike to the rock started off with a lesson all boy scouts take to heart. Be prepared. A small creek bed was running strong, bolstered by the recent rains. Not a problem for my waterproof hiking boots. Unfortunately, those sat in my closet, a thousand miles away. Rock jumping was the name of the game. "Next time, always bring my boots", I said out loud to no one in particular. A short enjoyable hike led me to the base of Cathedral Rock, so I began searching for compositions. Overcast skies led to a shortage of light, but I was determined to make the most of my day. After a little walking, I noticed a canyon with water running down that led right to the hoodoo I was circling. Grabbing my camera, I got to work. I tried backing up, I tried getting closer, three feet left, 4 feet right. I could not get the composition to work for the image I visualized in my mind. I realized I was again ill prepared. I had brought my small travel tripod this trip and to make the image I wanted I needed a higher perspective, such as one I could get with my full size tripod, also in my closet a thousand miles away. I snapped several images to get a feel for what I wanted, but I was never able to bring the image in my mind to life.
Test photo while working on the composition. 

 The images I shot this day did not turn out how I was hoping due in part to cloudy skies and no light. I suppose this just means I will have to return to Sedona another time, which I will gladly do.
 Lesson 1 from the desert; Be Prepared.
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