Field Notes #2: Desert Camping

We set out in the afternoon to the Southern California desert. Our mission was to explore the area and also to test out my friend's '92 Land Cruiser. Having just recently purchased the rig, we agreed the soft sands of the desert may be a worthy obstacle to test it's four wheel drive capabilities. We arrived well into the night, with only the land cruiser's headlights illuminating our path. The shadows of the surrounding mountains stretched towards the heavens, eclipsing the overwhelming amount of visible stars. The winds picked up as we arrived to a good enough spot to set up camp and cook. Winding down was quick as shelter and sleep became paramount...The following morning, we packed up and referred to our map for nearby pictographs and hiking trails. The Land Cruiser had no problem whatsoever driving through the terrain of jagged rocks and soft sand. We reached the start of the hiking trail and set forth into the searing sun. No shade provided always makes things a bit more foreboding but we managed. My focus on the trip was to document the journey and try to capture compelling images with the environment's natural landscape. The rock formations on the trail kept the scenery engaging and tested my skills with composition. Incorporating my friends into the photos also lends scale to the viewer...The Land Cruiser has since maintained it's reliability, and the experience is one of many that has proven beneficial for my growth as a photographer.