20 Miles......... Photo

Photographer’s Note

Back in 1900 an expedition to Death Valley left a sign that read "20 miles from wood, 20 miles from water, 40 feet from Hell" I can't imagine how the early settlers coped with this heat. It was 119F (48C) in the shade this day and I'm sure it was well above 130F out here in the sun. Death Valley can be full of beauty or a parched wasteland. As photographers it can be what ever we want it to be.

dareco, john_c, gunbud trouve(nt) cette note utile

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dareco (17104) 2007-10-17 6:44

I remember driving threw here and it was SO HOT!! It was a few years ago, but if I remember correctly there were signs saying to be sure and have extra water along in case the vehicle overheated. (?) Very good picture of this. TFS

pboehringer (770) 2007-10-17 20:09

Phil,
photographing in the Death Valley is most of the time a real challenge. Not just for the harsh nature's conditions but also getting meaningful compositions with a good sense of depth. That is exactly what I miss here - some enganging foreground element to open and lead into the image. I see that you tried to do that by including the ground in front of you, but it seems not to be enough and at the end the image seems to be flat without depthness.
Regards, Peter

john_c (24635) 2007-10-18 17:45

Hi Phil,
Normally such a flaring, burning white hot sun would be considered perhaps a flaw in a photo, but for this shot it is most apropos, since it really conveys the heat factor for one of the hottest places on earth. I like the distant dust and hazy mountains lying almost languorously amidst the desolate flatness. Nicely captured.
John

gunbud (28029) 2008-05-05 19:37

Hi Phil,
This parched landscape reminds me of the "Old Ranger" (Ronald Regan) brought to you by 20 mule team borax. Stunning barren details to this desert beauty.
Regards, Tom