As mentioned in the last post, I went to New Mexico to photograph at the Bisti Badlands wilderness area, about 30 miles south of Farmington. Bisti has become something of a project for me; this was my third visit, and it's become a place that I really enjoy photographing. There's so much to discover, and it's unlike any other place I've been. Photography can be difficult there, and the conditions can sometimes be harsh, but the desolate nature of the landscape is also part of its appeal. It's like being on another planet.
A friend from work who's also a photographer came along. We flew into Albuquerque on Thursday morning, got some supplies, and then made the 3-hour drive to Bisti and set up camp in the wilderness area. The original plan had been to camp two nights and then stay in a motel in Farmington Saturday night; but rain was coming Friday night, and the clay-based soil at Bisti is no fun to be in during rain. So we packed up camp a day early and checked into the motel on Friday night. Saturday was mostly lost to the rain, but we had a good time shooting Thursday and Friday, and camping out there was a really neat experience, especially under a full moon.
These images are a bit different from what I typically shoot, which is part of what I like about Bisti. The most interesting elements of the landscape tend to be smaller in scale, and require a different approach, getting in closer and focusing on indvidual features rather than trying to take everything in with a wideangle view. The fact that these shapes are carved by wind and rain makes them all the more incredible. To view the images, click here or on the image above.
