… or Same Place, Different View …

Recently, we have been talking about greener landscapes, whether the Maine coast, mountains of Colorado, etc. This week, let’s visit Death Valley National Park where we return at the end of November for another photo workshop. When people think of Death Valley, they usually think of a stark landscape, monochromatic in hue.

Yes, it has those elements, but it is also full of color — chocolates, ochres, creams, aquas, and yes, even lavenders. Sometimes, the skies are a sight to behold and add color where there normally are only subdued shades.

In this pair, we were out on the salt flats one evening and witnessed one of the most glorious skies we had ever seen here. Everyone exclaimed that no one would believe the colors, they were so brilliant. They changed by the minute.

Arnie and I were in the same general area but picked out different patterns to lead the eye toward the distant mountains. Arnie’s mountains came in from the right, mine from…

There is an amazing set of craters in Death Valley, and we went there one morning. Arnie found what I call “puckerbrush” backlit by the sun, while I discovered an owl watching over her nest. We were probably not standing much more than 20 yards away from each other.

We love to head to the dunes before daybreak. The sand is cold, and so we bundle up, as the desert really cools off at night in December. We trudge up and down the various dunes, looking for patterns that speak to us. I suspect in the next pair, Arnie and I were only one dune apart, but our images are so different.

On our last night in Death Valley, we took advantage of — yes — the night skies with those who stayed over an extra night or two. Raucous laughter echoed back and forth, as new-found friends delighted in fun banter while they waited and waited. Gradually, the skies got better and better. Arnie chose to photograph the moon and evening “star” reflecting in a creek, while I went for the Milky Way with bits of the creek in the foreground.

So, look for different vantage points the next time you go out photographing; do your own Same Place, Different View!

For more information on our workshops, go to Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures.

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