Sandscapes

These images depict the space, form, changing light and ever-changing geography of the desert in locations in Death Valley, White Sands New Mexico and Namibia.

The Locations:

For me, Death Valley is a location fraught with unique mystery and anxiety. It seems that there are family emergencies that happen while I am there as if the journey itself is bad luck. The isolation and vast distances only adds to the intimidating vastness and harshness of the area that creates moods that I have a hard time understanding.

White Sands, New Mexico has a more beautiful and welcoming feel to me. It has its own challenges. The dune field is massive and it is easy to get very lost because of the height of the dunes and the lack of landmarks. On one occasion I was caught alone in a sandstorm and I struggled to make my way out of the field, yet couldn’t stop making more images, turning constantly to the sun setting over the windblown landscape even as the sand stung my legs and settled in my hair and teeth.