p.1 #1 · The Challenge of White Sands National Park
Congratulations to Ross Martin for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 7 votes - View Previous Winners
For many years I put off visiting White Sands due to the out-of-the-way location from where I lived, and finally worked it into a Southwest trip. I found it quite challenging to create here, first because the dunes do not have the dramatic high peaks of those in Death Valley where I’d shot before, and second because the larger number of visitors mars the dunes with tracks. I needed to hike out further at White Sands to find clean compositions, shooting until after dusk. But then the stress kicks in as I have to book it back to the truck in near dark as quickly as my legs, lungs, and heart would allow at 4,235 feet elevation before the ranger kicks out late visitors and locks the gate.
p.1 #3 · The Challenge of White Sands National Park
You have a lot to be proud of in this series, Ross! I have photographed White Sands before and I concur with your declaration on the difficulty of creating compelling compositions. Considering that this is a National Park, I think their visitor hours are quite strange and very inconvenient for us serious photographers. My favorites are #5 and 6 from the bottom. Excellent work!
p.1 #6 · The Challenge of White Sands National Park
Starfire8 wrote:
You have a lot to be proud of in this series, Ross! I have photographed White Sands before and I concur with your declaration on the difficulty of creating compelling compositions. Considering that this is a National Park, I think their visitor hours are quite strange and very inconvenient for us serious photographers. My favorites are #5 and 6 from the bottom. Excellent work!
David
Thanks David! I’m glad you know what I mean about the challenges there, and I agree the visiting hours are weird (maybe something to do with the adjacent military complex).
p.1 #8 · The Challenge of White Sands National Park
Ross,
This project you have of seeking substantial perspectives on specific geographic areas is admirable. It conveys a sense of place and creates unity in your body of work rather than just an exercise in acquiring a random set of "pretty" photos. Taken together this is an outstanding set. The image of the lone tree set against the dunes (#8) is especially evocative.
p.1 #12 · The Challenge of White Sands National Park
Great job, esp. given the limitations. I've never made it down there for all the same reasons you give and am not sure when or if I will. I sure like many of the images I've seen from there and you have an excellent collection here, the second B&W with the distant mountains stands out for me. How many days did you visit to get these?
p.1 #16 · The Challenge of White Sands National Park
Rajan Parrikar wrote:
Ross,
This project you have of seeking substantial perspectives on specific geographic areas is admirable. It conveys a sense of place and creates unity in your body of work rather than just an exercise in acquiring a random set of "pretty" photos. Taken together this is an outstanding set. The image of the lone tree set against the dunes (#8) is especially evocative.
Rajan, I really appreciate your thoughtful comments, very meaningful to me. I feel an almost childlike sense of awe and wonder when I am out in the landscape, and I always hope I can convey some of that emotion through the images.
p.1 #19 · The Challenge of White Sands National Park
Nice work on these, Ross. I share your frustration with the challenges. I once arrived there at first light only to find it was closed for the morning due to a missile test. I especially like the b/w versions.
p.1 #20 · The Challenge of White Sands National Park
Ross, I like the way you capture your images of particular area. This set displays beautiful landscape of the area. All the different views you have presented here is truly brilliant. All are great images but the one with the lone tree is my favorite. YGMV 👍🏻
