Convergence
Mesquite Flat sand dunes, Death Valley National Park, California
The sand dunes at Mesquite Flat, near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley NP, have a much shorter maximum height (~130 feet) than many of their nearby counterparts (especially the Eureka Dunes at 700'), but they make up for what they lack in height with spectacular curves and contours. Their proximity to the highway that bisects the park, CA-190, also has landed them scenes in numerous films, perhaps most recognizably the dune scenes from the original Star Wars. From the first time I set foot in these dunes fifteen years ago, I have been completely captivated by the way they lend themselves to the fundamental elements of photography: light, line, and texture. All three converge in dramatic fashion in this image I made just before sunset. Photo © copyright by Greg Owens.