Desert photography.. help all my pictures look bland..

[anselnerdnv]

I recently moved from Alaska to the desert and I've been diligently trying to photograph my new surroundings. I've got a Canon Ae1 that I've started experimenting with and I love color film.

I'm wondering, however, if a foray into the black and white of desert photography might be more inspiring.

Anyone have any good ideas for me?

[bob_r]

Welcome to the forum, Anselnerdnv.
(Since you didn't give a name, I was going to abbreviate your user-name, but thought better of it since it would have come out ANN.)

I wish I could offer some good advise for the desert landscape shots, but I haven't lived in the desert since I got back into photography. I'm not that familiar with your area because I lived in Arizona, but there was a lot to see there. While some black and white shots would probably be very dramatic, I think you would also lose something by eliminating the color, especially during sunrise or sunset. It would probably be worth experimenting with it though.

I did take a lot of pictures when I lived in Alaska. That was many years ago and before the pipe line. I couldn't have asked for anything better (as far as photography was concerned). I probably took thousands of slides back then, but my kids have the slides now.

Bob R

[BPK]

try tp post some pics or something.

[krey]

If you post some examples , it would make things much easier . Also , are you shooting early/late in the day when the light is softer ? Using a polarizer ?

[donquixote]

Ansel;
Welcome to AZ -- As I live here in Tucson, I know how you feel as far as pictures looking washed out. I have found a nuetral Density filter, a GND filter, and a polarizer to be a must. My question is where are you shooting? Here in southern AZ there is almost no chance of getting good shots except in or around the mountains; good thing is there are several near Tucson which I regularly visit; the Catalinas, Rincons, and Santa Ritas -- the three of them have elevations over 8000 ft; only the Catalinas can be accessed by road -- the other two by trails, so there is a lot more solitude.As for trails maps, go to the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center; there you can purchase trail maps of all the mountains around Tucson.

Also, there is Boyce Thompson Aurboretum, located near Globe: http://ag.arizona.edu/BTA/index.html : a birder's paradise and plants from all over the world. In addition, there are two wildlife refuges near Tucson: Buenos Aires and Cienagas: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/

I can think of more, but space doesn't allow -- if you can figure out a way to email me I can give you a list a mile long....

If you live in northern AZ, I can only think of a few, but even in summer they can be HOT! I know this doesn't answer your question, but it may give you some ideas. Take care;

Don

[anselnerdnv]

Oh my goodness! I completely forgot I had wandered in here one night and signed up!

No, I'm not using an polarizer, though after finding a few folks locally and chatting with them. I think I'm going out to get one soon. I've always heard a "yellow filter"? might be useful but I'll have to look into that more.

I'm currently shooting with a Canon Ae1, its so much less intimidating than a couple of my other cameras. I've enjoyed several fun outings to Death Valley, though I got a little snap happy with no prior thought and didn't get quite the pics I was looking for. As I always tell myself, think for at least a good 30 seconds nerd! haha!

As soon as I take something that I'm not disgusted with, I'll post some pics and get some more advice!

Thanks so much for all the input! I'll have to remind myself that I do have other resources to look to!

I don't live in Arizona, though I hear it's a lovely place to live.