“The land”, means different things to different people. For photographers, it is the centerpiece of image making. It all begins with the land.

Sand dunes of any sort and in any location make for faccinating and sometimes challenging subjects for our cameras. Depending on the natural makeup of the sand in the dunes, as well as where they are located, and especially what sort of light falls upon them on any given moment, they transform right in front of you, from one magical moment to another.

The western dunes of White Sands New Mexico, and Great Sand Dunes Colorado, to me are both pure magic.

Great Sand Dunes is at fairly high elevation, and changes with the light, and with patterns within the sand.

I have not been there in many, many years, but at least there seemed to be a constant stream of mountain snow runoff that had to be crossed, one step at a time, photography equipment and all. The dunes reach to hundreds of feet high. I loved the hike with all its issues.

The dunes of course do change tone and color with the light that is present, including such from the time of day, and year.

The white gypsum sands White Sands New Mexico are incredibly unique. They are pure white at times, but they carry shadows between the furrows when the sun is low in the sky. Also, late and early day warm light does sometimes carry with it that warmness onto the sand that can be beautiful.

Of course even the sands on the shores of the Midwest’s Lake Michigan can impart strong moods when the waves are crashing and a single lonely gull observes the sunrise and seemingly thinks about the day ahead.

Adding living creatures to a scene of land (or water), can change everything.

Water and land meet in the deepest part of the forest as well. These are from Morgan Falls in the northern hardwood forests of Wisconsin.

A veiled waterfall via a slow shutter speed is not only a nice artistic statement, but sometimes when deep in the forest, it is a necessity.

In the hardwood forests of the Midwest, oft times spring is announced with elegant little scenes. Nice combinations of quiet beauty, with small, fragile flowers and big hulking trees to greet photographers.

Grandeur and intimacy can live side by side in your files.

It all begins with the land.

May God Bless,
Wayne