This Behind the Photo write up will be more about the day and experience, rather than the image Against All Odds specifically. It was a wild day at the dunes and the shooting quite hectic, but it was fruitful as I ended up with multiple images that I'm really happy with.
The adventure happened because I had recently watched a YouTube video by Michael Shainblum on photography in Death Valley. The images that Michael took blew me away. I loved the color tones, composition and minimalism that the sand dunes provided. A trip to Death Valley wasn't in the cards, however I knew that we had some dunes a few hours away in Central Oregon so I thought I could carry my inspiration there.
The destination was the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes and I had been there once before on a bit of a scouting mission. The issue I ran into on the first visit was that I went on the weekend and it was busy with dirt bikers, quads, and side-by-sides. The dunes are in an OHV area, meaning that Off-Highway Vehicles are allowed. It was noisy and a little sketchy walking around the dunes with all sorts of machines roaring by and appearing out of nowhere as they crest adjacent dunes. Though it wasn't the most peaceful experience, I could deal with the racket. What I couldn't deal with were all the tire tracks tearing up the sand. This was not the natural landscape I was looking to photograph.
Fast forward almost two years and I watch that Death Valley video. I decide to visit the Christmas Valley dunes again, but this time mid-week during stormy weather. I figured there shouldn't be anybody out there and the wind would wipe away any tire tracks. Boy was I right, but it was gnarly out there.
As seen in the video above, the wind was howling, blowing sand across the dunes. The skies were angry that day with dark storm clouds occasionally penetrated by splashes of sunlight. It was pretty awesome, to be honest. Uncomfortable, yes, because it was also quite cold, as it was the end of November and wind chill dropped the temperature quite a few more degrees.
My main concern before heading out was being able to protect my camera equipment. It was immediately apparent that I wouldn't be changing lenses or fussing with filters out there. This was obviously a no tripod situation was well. Wind gusts were hitting above 50MPH and to think about setting up in the sand was laughable. I was going to have to run and gun it, stashing my camera in my jacket between shots. I attached my 70-200mm lens and cranked the ISO to 400 to ensure a fast enough shutter speed to counter the buffeting winds. I threw on all the clothing I brought and stepped out of my truck.
When I climbed out of the lee of the wind where I had parked and into the full assault of the gale, I immediately wondered if this was a good idea. It was rough. The sand was extremely fine and coated me in a dry, grainy dust. I was very concerned for my camera as I trudged through the sand towards some larger dunes. While it was apparent I wouldn't be getting images similar to Michael Shainblum, there were images to be had. The wild weather and clouds were creating a dynamic atmosphere while the whipping sands softened things up. Compositions started revealing themselves to me as I staggered deeper and deeper into the dunes. I had a serious case of "whats-around-the-corneritis" as I scoured the landscape. For two and half hours I stumbled around the dunes, up and down and through the sand. It was exhausting, yet fulfilling as I picked off compositions here and there.
My camera gear made it through the day, though I was picking sand out of my ears and clothes for days afterwards. Storm photography is now something I embrace. I now look forward to inclement weather because that is when things get dynamic. Postcard images don't excite me like ephemeral moments caught in the chaos. Bring it on!
Against All Odds
Christmas Valley Sand Dunes, OR
November 22, 2024 2:26PM
Sony A1
70-200m G @ 200mm f4
ISO 400
1/4000 second