Many of you who are regulars here or were visitors to my website will probably have already seen a lot of the images below. It is understandable if you prefer to wait for a new post to browse, rather than endure yet another repeat of this subject. I have created this post because I do want an “all White Sands gallery” for those who visit in the future. I thank all of you Earth Images subscribers and regular visitors for your indulgence.
The images below were of course made at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico, USA. They were made in the mid 1990s and again in 2006. They do not even scratch the surface of my total White Sands files but they give you examples of this awesome place in all kinds of light, at every time of day and in two different seasons of the year. With and without foliage.
From a technical perspective, much of working White Sands is about sidelight and knowing when to use a “normal” exposure and when to underexpose to keep the shadows deep and separated from the highlights. Aesthetically, many of your decisions are about reading the light and allowing it to color the sand, and making compositions that follow the patterns and texture.
White Sands is a place that many non-nature photographers love. The graphic possibilities are similar to photography in places like Tuscany, Italy, or parts of small town Mexico, only with a lot more white.
Light….Pattern….Texture….Every photographer (nature or not) should take the time to visit and photograph sand dunes somewhere. It will introduce you to the artist that you never knew.
I thank you and enjoy the 38 photos below.
Take time to smile today.
The funny thing about photography is….………….
Earth Images Blog by Wayne Nelson 
If they only knew how many of those tubberware containers, you and I went through……LOL
I had not seen a lot of these images of WS. Some great shots.
Image 10….the old tree……Is the sky a result of a polorizer improperly set? I really like that shot except for the 4 tone sky. Some of your really warm sunsets are great too.
I still find those little containers around sometimes.
Actually that sky (120 film) hasn’t been polarized. Even without the P filter, at different times of day and in different seasons with a wide angle lens the sky will show varied intensities of blue. This was done in Feb. You can often see it with your eyes. Perfectly natural to those who look at light (and sky) carfefully. Recomposing the image at a different time of day would have solved it.
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