Our recent visit to Big Bend National Park was a completely new adventure for me but there was another place I was also looking forward to seeing. This time it was for a return visit to White Sands in New Mexico.
Even though it’s nice to see friends and socialize along our travels, I’m really an introvert at heart and I do my recharging in my own space. When I visit places like White Sands, I get exactly what I need: solitude and magnificent views.
Last time I was there, I almost got lost. I kept walking and walking deeper into the dunes and not keeping track of my movements. Before I knew it, I was completely disoriented. Luckily, there was a cell signal so I was able to navigate my way back to my car using my phone GPS. Whew!
Since then, I’ve been using an app for my iPhone called “Where’s My Car?”. It’s perfect for people who are directionally-challenged like myself. When I get out of my car, I launch the app and it creates a pin of where I am. I can then use it later to find my parking spot. It gives a live readout of how far away I am and what direction I need to go. It has really worked well for me and I used it each time I trekked out across the dunes
This iPhone app is a literal lifesaver for me.
To really embrace this sandy landscape, you have to be conscious of how the angle of the sun affects its mood. When the clouds roll in, the desert looks looks like one long continuous blob of white. When the sun appears, it transforms the space into long shadows, three-dimensional hills of pure white sand and reveals intricate patterns created by the wind.
During our entire time there, I found myself chasing the light. Most of the time it was cloud covered with only tiny glimpses of the sun. We stayed at the Elks Lodge in Alamogordo which is less than half an hour to the entrance of White Sands and , because we were so close, I was able to keep an eye on the weather and be there for sunrises and sunsets.
Looking out at the sunset over White Sands from the Elks Lodge.
As beautiful as the dunes can be in color, I found myself drawn mostly to a black and white interpretation because to me, White Sands is all about form, light and texture. These are the perfect ingredients for black and white photography. There are always exceptions, of course, and those occurred mainly during the sunrise and sunset when color just exploded in the sky.
The moods of sunrise and sunset were different with every visit.
It’s hard for me to focus on any kind of “real life” thing when I’m in Alamogordo. I’m kind of obsessed with the sky, watching the sun, watching the clouds. Planning to go or not go…will there be a dramatic sunset or not?? Mostly I just went and whatever the weather, being there was just magical anyway.
Dramatic light and shadows make White Sands an absolute treat to photograph.
During our stay, we also took a trip to Ruidoso where we used to co-own a house with Linda’s parents. We’d spend the Christmas holidays there with family every year. It’s always fun to revisit and see what’s different and what’s the same. Mostly very little changes.
We both love New Mexico and especially this little corner of the state. There’s just something special about being there. Maybe it’s White Sands, maybe it’s the culture, particularly the Mexican influence. Whatever it is, we keep coming back and we are never disappointed.
Up next: Meeting up with friends in Arizona
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Wow Wow Wow. Just Wow
I agree WOW! You really took advantage of the light to bring out your experience. The black'n'white touches add an other-world look to the dunes.
Really great pictures, it is a long time since we were there. Thanks for the flashback:)
Beautiful sepiatones, Steven! One thing I would suggest is to be careful not to rely on your GPS at White Sands, as the missile range regularly jams the satellites. We had it happen several times while we were there, even though we had a wide open sky.
Just beautiful. You really captured magic in the dunes with the light, the clouds, and the patterns in the sand. We've not yet been there (too windy every time we've been nearby) but it's on our list. Black and white is a perfect choice—that's what I was thinking I'd like to try, but I know I won't come anywhere near what you've created.
Ha Ha, Tracy, that's how I felt while I was there 🙂
Thanks Jeff. That was the intended feeling I was hoping to convey in the black and whites.
Thank you. No hurry, the dunes will wait for your next visit 🙂
Thanks Jim and good to know. I really do try to be aware of my surroundings too so hopefully I will always return to tell the tale 🙂
Thanks Laurel. They may not look like mine but that's a good thing. If and when you choose to shoot black and white, the photographs will have your voice and that's just as important.
After seeing the pics on your website I knew what to expect, but they are still breathtaking! Wonderful narrative gives them even more life. Being able to capture the magic of a personal moment and sharing it with others is such a gift. I'm grateful I get to experience it!
Steven, I recently came across your blog and have been following your travels and enjoying your photography. You're blessed with such an excellent eye for composition. And I had to smile at your comment about being an introvert at heart. As far as I'm concerned, there is no place better for introverts to regain their true north than the natural world with all of its beauty and magic. Thank you for sharing so many of your special moments in time.
Love the Banner photo of the road ahead to Big Bend.
Thank you Jodee. I’m grateful you have that kind of response to my work.
So true, Mary. Thank you for your kind words. I’ll give your blog a look too.
Thanks Gene, it’s hard to truly capture the epic proportions of this area but I felt like this image came close. 🙂
Don’t know how I missed this post – but seriously – WOW! You have an amazing eye and take such amazing photographs! I’ve spent an afternoon in White Sands and thought it was a once and done – but now I’m not so sure!
Thank you very much, Kelly. This life of traveling is so amazing for me as a photographer. I never lose sight of how lucky I am 🙂