Ben Horne
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This past January, I spent nearly a week in Death Valley. This was my 5th consecutive year visiting this wonderful park. I concentrated my efforts on two locations in particular. On my first day, I arrived at the dunes under promising skies. I found a composition I liked, and waited around until sunset. In a perfect world, I hoped for some wonderful high-ish clouds with a blast of direct sunlight just before the sun dropped below the horizon. Throughout the afternoon, clouds gathered and snuffed out any chance of good light. I left my camera in place, and returned on Day 2.
A similar weather pattern happened on day 2. Promising mid-day clouds eventually thickened into a heavy overcast, and the sun never made an appearance for sunset. Once again, I left my camera in place and returned on Day 3.
It was on Day 3 that the clouds were distinctly different. They looked more like the sort of clouds created by uplift from the mountains. They stayed in place, and sure enough, there was a gap low on the horizon for the sun to peak through.
I made this exposure during a very brief window of good light (maybe a minute or so...) just before the sun dropped below the horizon. I exposed a total of 4 sheets of film that evening, and this was my favorite.
Please check out my Video Journals from my first two days in Death Valley: Day 2 Video Journal & Day 3 Video Journal
Fuji Velvia 50 8x10 | Nikkor 150mm SW | Ebony RW810 | Unrecorded exposure @ f/45
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The footprints you were concerned about in the video I believe add to the image. Makes the dunes not appear to be completely sterile if that makes any sense. I'm happy for you that you got the image; it's a brave move to sit on a shot that long!