Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley
Phase One A-Series IQ3 100MP, 23mm Rodenstock, f11 @ 1/30 second, ISO 50

How many times can we photograph the sand dunes in Death Valley? Or the sand dunes anywhere, for that matter? What is it that makes the undulating shapes and textured patterns irresistible to our cameras?

Apart from the Sahara Desert in early movies, I was first introduced to sand dunes by Edward Weston and then David Meunch. While I loved the textures in Weston’s beautifully printed black and whites, I always struggled with his cropping which seemed a little tight and severe. Meunch, in comparison, was an early colour photographer who loved using wide-angle lenses and placing the horizon up high in the frame. I particularly love his photo of a dune surface in front of the Totem Pole in Monument Valley.

The first thing we learn about photographing sand dunes is that it is dependent on the light. You usually need the angled light of a sunrise or sunset to rake across the dune’s surface, revealing their shape and form as they repeat themselves into the distance. Of course, with larger dunes, you can find angled light at any time of the day by moving around the dune to where the sun is creating its magic. However, there’s more.

Almost as important as the light is a lack of footprints. This in part explains why early mornings are better because (hopefully) the evening winds have covered up the footprints, replacing them with tightly spaced ripples of sand. Sand ripples and angled light, what could be better?

While not common, wet sand dunes can be better. An early morning shoot after a night of rain is perfect as not only do you have the textures, you have different layers of colour and density as the damp sands dry out.

Anything more? Yes, generally we like sand dunes without trees and grasses. One bush might make a good centre of interest, but too many straggly bushes and grasses simply complicate the scene. The dunes lose their elegant simplicity.

I was lucky to find the Mesquite Flat dunes in such good repair!