Picture Story
I traveled from San Diego, CA to White Sands New Mexico in late July hoping to shoot thunderstorms. As so frequently happens, the thunderstorms dissipated after my arrival. On this day the skies were clearing and it was hot, as in 95F, and I wasn't too optimistic about the conditions. I hiked into the dunes in the late afternoon to see what would find me. I should have had more faith, because White Sands is magical, no matter what the conditions. The heat was getting to me, and in the middle of nowhere appeared a lone cottonwood tree. I sat in its shade, set up my tripod (still sitting) and decided to see what things looked like through my 70-200MM lens.
Keep in mind that I was sitting in the middle of an enormous dune field and seeing things wide, so telephoto was a completely new view. This small yucca plant was part of several about a quarter mile away, but I isolated it against the beautiful curve of the white dunes, and when the sun set the horizon glowed vivid pink. Minimalism looks simple, but to me finding something simple in an enormous, wide view is the most difficult thing of all. White Sands might be my favorite place to shoot because there is so much freedom to create there, so much you can interpret because there is no shot you are "supposed" to take, as in some of the iconic locations. Any season will give you magical colors and an unforgettable experience.
Did you know that now we offer a VIP membership? Create your Personal Portfolio Page and let us share your published pictures with over 300,000 members and followers.
Benefits of VIP membership:
• Your Personal Portfolio Page – click here to see a sample
• We promote all your pictures to over 300,000 followers via our social media pages
• Download all new issues of the magazine
• Download all back issues
• Download premium eBooks worth £19.45.
• Your uploaded pictures/posts stay attached to your page for as long as you are a VIP member, which could be forever
• Fast Support – we aim to reply within 12 hours
• Submission Priority – your submission goes to the front of the queue
Dimitri Vasileiou • Editor
4 Comments
Hey Laura,
This is stunning in its composition and pastel tones. Love it!
Thank you so much Deb! White Sands is on of my favorite places to shoot.
That is truly beautiful.
Thank you so much Tom!