jason_branz

I'd agree with the earlier comments about adding one day Big Bend...it's a huge, rugged, amazing place. I really liked the view of the Sierra del Carmen range from the eastern scenic drive. The range turns a vivid red at sunset. There are great views of the Chisos range from the western scenic drive.

As for Guadalupe Mts, there is a large area of gypsum sand dunes on the western side of the park. When I was there in 2004, I had to get a map at the Visitor's Center, then get a key for the gate. Access is on some dirt roads that are prone to flooding, but the dunes are really nice and you'll probably be by yourself. There is also a great hike from McKittrick Canyon to the top of one of the ridges. Be prepared for lots of wind, especially when the early-spring storm systems move through...gusts can easily reach 70+ mph.

White Sands is my favorite location for photography. The colors and patterns that you can capture there are fantastic, and I try to get out there at least once per year.

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Heat won't be a problem in January. You'll have to deal with some wind, though, which will make changing lenses a challenge. Your tripod will not sink into the sand all that much; you'll have more of a problem keeping it steady if the wind gusts. Afternoon temps should be pleasant, but it'll get pretty chilly at night.

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In order to get into the park for sunrise this time of year, you have to make arrangements to be let in early, as the gate is closed until 7 a.m. When I went to the park in February of 2006, there was a $50 fee for this. I talked to a park ranger the day before, signed a form and paid the fee, then showed up at 6 a.m. the next morning and was let in. For sunset though, you don't have any restrictions, although the gate will close about an hour or so after sunset.

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Shooting tips: I find that wintertime afternoons and sunsets are fantastic at White Sands. The sun angle is lower, so the light is softer. At sunset, the color of the sands changes with the sky, so you can capture very nice pastel colors. Composition-wise, you can do everything from grand scenics with the dunes and the mountains in the distance, to intimate patterns in the sand. My personal favorite compositions are near the dune crests, where there is a sharp line between the ripples and the slip face of the dune. <a href="http://www.jasonbranz.com/southwest/sw14.jpg">Photo: Dune Crest</a>

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For exposure, shooting at WS is like shooting in snow. A good tutorial can be found here: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/exposing_snow.shtml

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The Alkali Flats trail (follow the orange-tipped markers in the sand) offers many nice, untracked dunes that aren't too far from a parking area. I've fired off 4 rolls of Velvia along this trail in the past. Thanks to the wind, most of the footprints are gone in a few hours, unless the dune is really tracked up. IMO, you don't have to go too far from the road to find nice ripples and few footprints. Just remember that the most prominent mountains are to your west and southwest. <a href="http://www.jasonbranz.com/southwest/sw37.jpg">Photo: Along the Alkali Flats Trail</a>

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Jason Branz

Sacramento CA

Guadalupe is a hikers' paradise. There are quite a few trails, like the McKittrick Canyon and El Capitan trails, and of course Guadalupe Peak. Be prepared for the wind, though, if you camp at Pine Springs campground and if you climb Guadalupe Peak. The El Capitan trail will take you around the base of El Capitan, but there is a decent view of the rock face from the picnic area below the pass. I think there's a 4WD road to get you closer; inquire at the Visitor Center.

There is an area of white sand dunes west of the Guadalupe range that is great for late afternoon photography. You have to pick up the key to the gate at the Visitor Center, then get directions. The dunes are pretty remote; it takes a while to get to them (they are west of the range), but there are no crowds. Don't try to go out there after a rain; the dirt access road will probably be impassible.

Thanks Gary...glad to help.

By October, the crowds at Antelope will probably have thinned out, but still, going during the week would be best. If you have the time, try Lower Antelope as well; it has a high fun factor and is less crowded than Upper Antelope. I was there on a Saturday last October and there were maybe 5 or 6 others in Lower Antelope.

I really liked Canyon X, mainly because I had it basically to myself, with a great guide to help me out. The footprints that mark the sandy bottom of Upper Antelope are not too common in Canyon X. It is also deeper than Antelope, and there's more effort required to get to it (for Upper Antelope, the guide takes you up the wash to the canyon; for Canyon X, you scramble down a pretty steep trail and hike along a wash for a bit).

If your time (and finances, of course) allow, do all three; you'll love it!

The price is a bit high, but the fun factor is way up there and the crowds of Antelope Canyon are virtually non-existent. You have much less trouble keeping people out of your compositions. The colors are different in Canyon X; it seemed to me that there were more reds and purples than in Antelope.

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Another big plus is that you have a lot more time to do your photography. The tour I went on, with Jackson Bridges (an excellent guide, BTW), was about 6 hours in length, with probably about 4 hours of that in the canyon itself. Getting to Canyon X is completely different than Antelope; prepare to do some scrambling!

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<p align="center"><img src="http://www.jasonbranz.addr.com/slots/cx006.jpg"><br>

<i>Patterns in Stone, Canyon X</i></center>

There have been a few photographers out on the dunes at sunset the last couple of times I've been there (Nov 2003 and April 2004). The rangers were cooperative about allowing us to remain on the dunes during sunset and even a bit afterward. In April I was on a dune shooting until there was just a little bit of light in the western horizon and had no problem getting out shortly after sunset.

There is usually a park ranger circling the Dunes Drive too. I have read about the rangers opening the gate early for photographers. An account and some good tips can be found at:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/locations/white_sands.shtml

Enjoy your visit...White Sands is a magical place.<div></div>

Antelope Canyon is a magical place. I've been there twice this year, to Upper Antelope in July and to Lower Antelope about two weeks ago. Upper Antelope was quite crowded in July (I didn't make it there two weeks ago) and there was a time limit of 2 hours (on a photographers tour from Page). There are several tour companies in Page, but you can drive to the parking area off of AZ 98, pay the fee, and the Navajo guides will take you to the canyon. Lower Antelope is a much different animal, so to speak, as you simply go to the parking area (across the highway from Upper), pay your fee, and a Navajo guide will lead you to the entrance of the canyon. From there you climb down the ladders. As far as the experience goes, I had more fun in Lower Antelope, but the beauty of Upper Antelope can take your mind off the crowds, even if only for a moment.

http://www.jasonbranz.addr.com/slots/index.html

Hope that helps!

The Arbuckle Mountains in southern Oklahoma can be scenic, especially after a thunderstorm when the large cumulonimbus clouds provide a nice backdrop to the granite. From Dallas, head north on I-35 across the Red River and through Ardmore. I believe that the US 77 exit for Turner Falls leads to a state park. There are a couple of scenic turn-offs along the interstate as well.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a bit of a drive, but well worth it, IMO. It's located near Lawton, OK, which is about 3 hours NW of Dallas. There are hiking trails, lakes, and buffalo. You can drive to the top of Mt. Scott (off of OK 49 near Medicine Park) to get a panoramic view.

Caprock Canyons is probably out of your range (~4 hrs west) but it is one of the hidden gems of the TX park system, IMO. Red rock canyon walls and fun hiking trails can be found there.

Hope that helps!

Echoing previous comments, a foreground object will really add to your photo. This object could be a windmill, a lone tree, etc. If you have a lake nearby, reflections also make a good foreground. Of course, the wind has to be quite light (which is rare here in Oklahoma).

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<img src="http://www.jasonbranz.addr.com/Website/sunsets/sun002.jpg"><br>

Oklahoma Sunset<br>

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A tripod is essential, as others have noted. Also, be patient, as the clouds in the sky will change colors as the light wanes. The shot above was taken on a very chilly winter evening after waiting for over an hour for the clouds to clear the horizon.

You can get different perspectives on the "cliche" shots by taking some of the paths from the turnouts along the Northside and Southside Drives. One of my favorites is a shot of Half Dome over the Merced. Take the bike path from the Swinging Bridge turnoff and follow the river. It may be low enough by September for some good reflections...GND filter would be useful.

Tuolumne meadows is more quiet...the afternoon thunderstorms up there can be spectacular.