Life in the valley of death

Marc Muench · April 14, 2010

Along the highway to and from Death Valley there were more flowers in places I have never scene than I can recall. The Antelope Poppy Reserve appeared like a child's spilled orange crush drink all over the desert.

Once in Death Valley, the blooms were not as concentrated as poppies, demanding slightly different techniques to capture their beauty, like fill flash.

The spectacular alien like hexagons that usually form in Badwater had not appears yet this year so we visited a area closer to the Devils Golf Course. This area offered diverse formations as well as water.

And a spacious view for downtime:thumb

We visited the dunes and found an area less trampled, longer walk but well worth it as you see here by the smiles!

The ripples were out in full force

The next morning Zabriskie Point was a bit cold and dark.....

Then, off to the Racetrack. This was the first time I felt the place will change for good. I have visited the Racetrack several times in the past four years and once when I was about 12 years old. The road was always part of the adventure, full of washed out ravines, cactus prickers and many larger than than life washboard ripples eager to jar the bushings out of your camera and car.
This year the road was graded. And I noticed jeep rentals. And I noticed several large PURPLE 4x4 vans full of passengers. And I noticed these!

Several folks were literally walking off the playa when we arrived. They were geo tagging all the stones in the hopes of solving the mystery of why and how they move. I do believe the place is magical, not in any alien sense but rather its magnificent spacial composition.

While illustrating low light techniques, Andy pulled out his special FBI light and began playing. However, once in the hands of a trained pro "Dan Thorp" the creativity flowed:clap

From Dan to his very lucky wife:barb

dlplumer · April 14, 2010

Looks like you guys had a very successful venture. Having been there a couple of weeks prior, I find all of your shots most interesting and of course beautiful. I didn't make it to the racetrack because I thought the road would be too rough, but from what you guys say, that was not the case.

chrismoore · April 14, 2010

Great shots, I was just there in October and its amazing how the different light transforms that place. Nice perspectives with the fisheye, too, I should have taken mine out of my pack while I was there

Marc Muench · April 14, 2010

dlplumer wrote:

Looks like you guys had a very successful venture. Having been there a couple of weeks prior, I find all of your shots most interesting and of course beautiful. I didn't make it to the racetrack because I thought the road would be too rough, but from what you guys say, that was not the case.

Thanks Dan
Relative to what it used to be the road is much better. It is still 2 hours of bumps and turns! just better than 3

Marc Muench · April 14, 2010

chrismoore wrote:

Great shots, I was just there in October and its amazing how the different light transforms that place. Nice perspectives with the fisheye, too, I should have taken mine out of my pack while I was there

The wide open space is difficult for most to imagine photographing. Then after a few experiences with the dunes, salt flats and other areas of the park, the place becomes addictive. I find the wide open spaces inspiring!

In that situation I like to use the 17mm tilt/shift to max the near far effect....

Awais Yaqub · April 14, 2010

Marc, these are beautiful !

zoomer · April 14, 2010

Love that last dunes shot, Money!

Looks like a great group and fun adventure.

Sounds like the days of the race track are numbered, with access come all the people who will have no respect for it because they did not have to work to get there. With lack of respect comes restrictions.

Thanks for sharing your adventure.

wfeller · April 14, 2010

Several folks were literally walking off the playa when we arrived. They were geo tagging all the stones in the hopes of solving the mystery of why and how they move. I do believe the place is magical, not in any alien sense but rather its magnificent spacial composition.

You got me going with the tile. That was just laying out there? It wasn't NPS was it?

BTW, love that last shot.

-

Marc Muench · April 14, 2010

Awais Yaqub wrote:

Marc, these are beautiful !

Thank you Awais!

Yes Zoomer, that is usually the timeline. In fact, as I was looking out over the playa, I mentioned to Andy that I could see a board walk in the future<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/eek7.gif" border="0" alt="" >

Walter, I can only imagine the park service knows about what was happening, as they allowed the tour operator to grade the road and offer tours as well. While acquiring our permit, one of the concerns was that we shared the parks mantra of "leaving no trace". I plan on figuring out why the tiles are not considered a trace. As nifty as it may be to determine how and why the stones sail, I can tell you with full confidence that the wind blows at the racetrack<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/deal.gif" border="0" alt="" >

Some hard evidence.....
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Alpha_Plus · April 14, 2010

Sweet shots Marc! Those first 3 are simply amazing!!

Andy · April 14, 2010

Brilliant work. I shot with you for nearly a week, and I learn something every day from watching you work, and your results. The vid is hilarious

wfeller · April 14, 2010

Walter, I can only imagine the park service knows about what was happening, as they allowed the tour operator to grade the road and offer tours as well. While acquiring our permit, one of the concerns was that we shared the parks mantra of "leaving no trace". I plan on figuring out why the tiles are not considered a trace. As nifty as it may be to determine how and why the stones sail, I can tell you with full confidence that the wind blows at the racetrack

Some hard evidence.....

That's hilarious. I'm lucky my ball cap doesn't roll like that. Thanks.

-

schmoo · April 15, 2010

Marc Muench wrote:

Some hard evidence.....

Go Dan go!

crow · April 15, 2010

that makes me sad, I was lucky to see the track before this grade.
I remember it was a tough drive to get there, but oh so much to look at.
No doubt there will be disrespect once more people find out it is easier to get
there. Did you still need a 4x4 to get there?

Cool Poppy shot!!!

ian408 · April 15, 2010

Oh, grade all you want. It's still a little bumpy

Whoops! Who knows where it is now...

The road continues on to Saline Valley Road. If you turn left, it's back to Stovepipe. Right, the hot tubs. For this, a dirt bike would be better

redleash · April 15, 2010

Great video, Marc!! Gave me a much-needed laugh

Tango · April 15, 2010

wonderful time I see! great shots, no surprise

Lovely Grill Ian, you know... it helps to slow down for the washouts....:D

aktse · April 15, 2010

Marc Muench wrote:

Walter, I can only imagine the park service knows about what was happening, as they allowed the tour operator to grade the road and offer tours as well. While acquiring our permit, one of the concerns was that we shared the parks mantra of "leaving no trace". I plan on figuring out why the tiles are not considered a trace. As nifty as it may be to determine how and why the stones sail, I can tell you with full confidence that the wind blows at the racetrack

The wind was fierce! And you posted some amazing images.

Love!

My friends and I chatted with the folks doing the research. To our surprise, the leader researcher of the GPS project is a bay area local named Paula Messina from San Jose State. Her older research can be found here and it including the the older GPS project. The study has been going since the 1970s (or earlier).

That day, there were about six researchers staying a few days at the playa including a mammalogist. It's not just a geological study, but a ecological one. I had to ask what did the mammalogist study...

I couldn't figure out what mammals were there. --- answer: she studied the birds and dessert rat, etc. They stated they were gathering up all of those tiles before they left.

We also learned one other tidbit.... The rocks have names! They're all female!!!

This was last updated in 1996, but lists the names and the path that they traveled. The sad bit is that some of the rocks have been taken.

It's such a small world! I still can't believe we ran into your workshop group on the playa

redleash · April 16, 2010

Wow, they named a rock "Hortense!" And what kind of rock is "XX?" And where is my name? :cry

Fun tidbits, aktse--thanks for sharing.

Lauren

Sam · April 16, 2010

Hi Marc,

I really like your image shot with the 17 mm Tilt Shift, and am wondering if you would share some technical details?

There is an incredible difference in dynamic range between the sun, the sky, the sand in sun light, and the sand in shadow. Is This a composit / HDR, or a single capture with selective processing. I can not see how you could have used any type of ND filter to help with the dynamic range difference?

I was there with my friend Dave the week before your workshop and could hear rumbling from the powers that be in the park that they do indeed want to begin limiting access to some areas of the park. I too have nightmares about boardwalks, fences, limited hours, and other restrictions. There are already many parks with limited hours that really do have a negative impact, on photographers in particular as well as how others are able to view the environment.

I am skipping the rant:

(your welcome)

Sam

Marc Muench · April 16, 2010

ian408 wrote:

Oh, grade all you want. It's still a little bumpy

Whoops! Who knows where it is now...

I was told that I ran it over in the dark on the way back

But it might be on the Toyota recall list:D Sorry Ian, that truck really does ROCK

Thank you aktse for the information. It's a small world

Sam wrote:

Hi Marc,
There is an incredible difference in dynamic range between the sun, the sky, the sand in sun light, and the sand in shadow. Is This a composit / HDR, or a single capture with selective processing.
Sam

I had the Canon 1ds M3 set to auto bracket with 2 stop inc. I also used the motor drive while hand holding since I did not have any tripod only 3inches tall:D I then manually blended two of the three exposures. My manual blending techniques will be out in my book this Fall. I dont mean to put you off, but there is just too many steps to mention here. Thanks for your positive comment.

Sam · April 16, 2010

Marc,

Thanks for the explanation. I didn't want a detailed explanation just a general idea of how it was done, and you provided hat.

Thanks,

Sam

PhotoLasVegas · April 16, 2010

Can you divulge the lens used for #1? Love it! We just got an el-cheapo fisheye and while it's fun to play with, it's not the quality we'd like so we may return it and get a better one...

ian408 · April 16, 2010

Marc Muench wrote:

I was told that I ran it over in the dark on the way back But it might be on the Toyota recall list:D Sorry Ian, that truck really does ROCK

Riley likes it

poker · April 16, 2010

Wonderful photos. I'll be in Mojave this weekend and I'll be taking this inspiration. I hope I get some good stuff.

Marc Muench · April 16, 2010

PhotoLasVegas wrote:

Can you divulge the lens used for #1? Love it! We just got an el-cheapo fisheye and while it's fun to play with, it's not the quality we'd like so we may return it and get a better one...

Tokina 10-17 on my Canon 7D

Its not the sharpest tool in the shed but it focuses at 1 very close inch

It can also be mounted on my full size sensor and become a 17mm fish as well.

PhotoLasVegas · April 17, 2010

Nice, thanks... actually a friend of mine is selling that exact lens. Maybe I'll pick it up!

dadwtwins · April 18, 2010

Marc,

your pics are awesome especially that video

I am computer-less for a week until my new Mac arrives. Death Valley lived up to its name and killed my motherboard:cry

As soon as I get my pics downloaded, I will post some of my shots

Marc Muench · April 19, 2010

dadwtwins wrote:

killed my motherboard:cry

The things people will do for a new computer

Thanks for your starring roll

If your images are half as good in times past, they will be worth waiting for.

dadwtwins · April 19, 2010

Marc Muench wrote:

The things people will do for a new computer

Thanks for your starring roll If your images are half as good in times past, they will be worth waiting for.

Got my new MacPro and it is sooooooo Sweet.

I posted some of the picks on the journey forum since everyone knows, I like to talk

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=1372520#post1372520

Secluded Valley · April 19, 2010

Great shots, Marc! I grew up a few hours from Death Valley and never visited. It's on my list of places to visit someday.

Kristine

Life in the valley of death

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