This year I made a promise to myself to get out and shoot for fun as much as possible. During my drive east last month, I stopped through Colorado and had the opportunity to spend some time in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. What an inspiring place! I met a good friend and fellow photographer (and DWF Pro member) Steve Z down there – and it wasn’t long be for we were scheming up a photo shoot – and one that didn’t involve a wedding dress!
It’s been a long time since I’ve been up before sunrise for the sole reason of shooting. Our goal was to get the highest dune, which reaches 750 feet above the trailhead at 8200 ft. In order to catch the best light, we started our hike at 5:30 that morning. I was loaded up with a backpack full of camera equipment and Steve had his snowboard gear. The air was cool, the dunes were calm and we were eager to start our mini-adventure!
I think the most amazing part was reaching the top and realizing that there wasn’t a person in sight – we had this stunning landscape all to ourselves! We quickly picked a line, Steve strapped on his board and the fun began. The lines weren’t long. Steve would get in 3 or 4 turns, before he’d find himself at the bottom. Then he’d take his board off and climb his way back up. I’m sure he must have climbed about 80 flights of stairs in the 3 hours we played! I started shooting with my 17-40mm 4.0 for a few wide shots and then switched to the 70-200mm 2.8 for mostly everything else. The most difficult images to nail were the ones where Steve was riding straight towards me. He had a particular idea for a shot, but the sun cooked me laying in the sand long before we could perfect the combo of his riding and my focus and composition!
Regardless, we got a ton of really fun images. I swear we spent most of the morning giggling like kids in a candy shop. Photography can be so fun when you have no clients, no expectations and no deadlines!
Check out our blogs for more pics from our adventure!
The highest dune “Star Dune”
Steve realizing carrying your shoes in your hand while you ride probably isn’t cool – or photogenic.
The grind back up.
The ride.
Looking for lines
Good for a giggle.
Close, but not quite what Steve had in mind.
My personal fav from the day.
4 Comments at "Shootin’ Dunes and Steve Z"
Killer images!!
I also love the last shot. The wipeout is classic, with the shades flying off. I wanna go too, that looks so fun.
Great shots! Looks like so much fun
Awesome images and location.
Lots of fun and nice photos.
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