Valley of Shadow of Death

© Jay Patel

Valley of Shadow of Death

Uploaded: December 30, 2005

Description

Location: Death Valley National Park, CA

Exif: FNumber: 8, ExposureBiasValue: 0/1, ExposureTime: 0.166666666666667, Flash: flash did not fire, ISO: 100, WhiteBalance:

Comments

Bryan Yates December 30, 2005

WOW!!!!!!!!! Breath taking!! #366257

Sharon Day December 30, 2005

Awesome image, Jay!!! You caught the light just right again! Wonderful!!! #2235118

Jay Patel December 30, 2005

Hi Sharon,
This photograph was take in middle of a sandstorm. The wind was blowing at 30-40mph (my foot prints in the sand were erased completely every 5-7 step). I had to keep my camera covered with my jacket until I was ready to take a photo. The setting sun behind me created lighting you see. There was a cresent shaped crack in the clouds just above the mountains. The crack was so narrow that sunlight illuminated just the narrow region of the mountains side as seen in the photo.
I had to wait about 45 minutes for the light conditions to be just right. I huddled behind some bushes trying to shield myself from the "stinging" sand. When I saw the sunlight poring through clouds, I ran up on the crest of the dune with my tripod and a camera. Needless to say that I was perhaps the only one standing on a crest of one of the tallest dunes in middle of a sandstorm (there was one other car parked on road beside mine).
I would do it all over again if I had to...:-)) #2235130

Brinn MacDougall December 30, 2005

I'd say it was well worth it, Jay..this is just stunning! #2235484

Pat Gamwell December 30, 2005

FABULOUS shot & effects, Jay! Thanks for sharing the background story...makes it even more beautiful to know how much effort it was to get the "perfect shot!" #2235813

Marc E. Adamus December 30, 2005

I'm glad to see one of my favorite Death Valley images made it to the contest forums. We will surely be seeing it again in the winners circle! The light, obviously, completes the shot but the striking textures, patters and forms of the dunes are nearly as eye catching. The dark clouds above add yet more drama. One of the most intriguing, dramatic and well composed images I've seen. Very nice work Jay. I can only hope for something half as nice on my trip down there this spring! #2236202

Liz M. Jensen December 30, 2005

Very breathtaking@! #2236208

Karen Slagle December 31, 2005

Stunning........to say the least. #2237680

Sue L. Cullumber January 03, 2006

Jay - just gorgeous! great composition. #2249778

Amanda Price January 05, 2006

I know I say this alot, but WOW! Perfect timing and great story! #2255477

Susan L. Vasquez February 08, 2006

this is the most amazing light I have ever seen...EVER! Just fantastic Jay! #2396589

David E. Pearce September 03, 2008

Although the discussion here is from several years ago, I've just seen this image for the first time and have to comment! A fantastic shot Jay. Great combination of setting, composition, and lighting. And the story you tell about capturing this really shows the landscape photographer's drive for getting it just right.

Thanks for sharing and keep it up!

Regards, David Pearce #6404946


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