Camera: Sony NEX-7
Lens: Sony E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Digital: 24 MP [23×16] CMOS
Software: Adobe Lightroom
Location: White Sands NP, NM
Date: 2013
Lighting: Available
Insights: Lots of People
I was not feeling well the day I went to shoot at White Sands National Park. My trip involved a lengthy, unexpected layover in Phoenix, AZ, which marked my first encounter with such a crowded airport that lacked adequate seating. Determined never to transit through Phoenix again, I pushed forward, albeit exhausted from the travel that included landing in El Paso, TX, renting a car to drive to the park, which is located in New Mexico, and hotel hopping. Additionally, I was emotionally depleted from issues with someone close to me, which influenced the sentiment I wrote in the haiku to accompany the image for my blog posting. Nonetheless, I was at the dunes, eager to capture their beauty, so I persevered.
The park was bustling, and the sun was relentless. White Sands is an incredible destination; depending on the season, brace yourself for the crowds and the intense environment. The neighboring towns of Alamogordo and Cloudcroft offer their unique charms and are worth exploring.
For this journey, I opted for a lightweight setup, bringing only digital cameras: three Sigma DP Merrill models and my first mirrorless camera, the impressive Sony NEX-7. I captured this image using the Sony paired with my preferred E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS zoom lens. While the Sigmas were satisfactory, they struggled with direct sunlight compared to the Sony setup.
I intentionally aimed into the sun to craft a unique shot, although it initially caused some lens flare, which I later removed in post-production. Adobe Lightroom has been invaluable in this respect, with its continuous updates making it much easier and faster to refine images. This digital workflow is a stark contrast to the limitations I’d face with traditional darkroom printing.
This image holds a special place in my heart for two reasons: firstly, its creation was straightforward—I simply had to set up, compose, and shoot, using a bracketing technique with two-stop intervals to ensure proper exposure. The +2 exposure proved most effective, capturing the scene without needing to blend exposures. Secondly, the image captures my emotions at the time—fatigue from travel and personal burdens.
Despite the challenges and emotional weight I carried, the beauty of the park profoundly influenced both my photography and my reflection through haiku writing. While captured in 2013, the photo remains a favorite, a testament to the park’s enduring allure.
As photographers, embracing all emotions—whether joyous or sorrowful—enriches our art, transforming personal experiences into universal expressions. This journey through heartache and landscape illustrates how deeply our feelings can color and clarify our creative vision, turning every shot into not just an image but a reflection of life itself.