Page 143 - Libro 2

YOUTH GALLERY RECOMMENDATIONS

Halsey Hughes
Age 22 The Bisti Badlands of New Mexico, USA
USA
By J.R. Schnelzer, EFIAP/b, PFIAP, ESFIAP, HonPSA, GMPSA

The Bisti Badlands, known as Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness by the Navajo Nation, are situated
in a remote desert area about 35 miles south of Farmington, New Mexico. Managed by the Bureau
of Land Management, this is one of the best kept secret photographic locations. This wilderness
and dark sky area is accessible from multiple parking areas, but visitors should note that it offers no
services. There are no marked trails, but previous hikers have created easy to follow paths, allowing
you to explore the two main drainages and wander through this unique landscape.
Youth Gallery Football Tackle approximately 70 million years
This basin was formed
ago. Over time, water and
wind erosion have sculpted
some of the most remarkable
and photogenic hoodoos,
which are a primary attraction
for landscape photographers.
The weather in the Badlands
can be extreme: summer
temperatures soar above
100°F (38°C), while winters
can be bitterly cold and windy.
Due to these harsh conditions,
the best times to visit are in
the spring and autumn.

From a distance, the
formations appear dark gray or
beige. Midday is not ideal for
photography, but it is a great Bisti Monument
time to scout out locations
to return to. During sunrise and sunset, the formations come alive with vibrant reds and yellows.
Hold On Scattered throughout the area are pieces of petrified wood, including fallen logs and stumps
over a million years old. The use of a polarizing filter and a split neutral density filter can enhance
your results. A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing
this fantastical world. The landscape offers endless
opportunities, and the further you explore into the
wilderness the more surreal the experience becomes. Recommendations
Sculpted formations resembling wings rise overhead
and pillars reach ten feet high, while others resemble
cracked eggs and toadstools, allowing for unlimited
compositions.

What looks like a seemingly featureless desert is
really a complex of hoodoo valleys, washes and box
canyons, making it easy to lose your bearings. It is
advisable to carry a personal GPS unit and mark your
entrance point to ensure you can find your way back.
Using a distant ridge as a navigation marker is helpful.
Kick the dust up
Wandering amongst these monoliths with your
camera will preserve the vastness and beauty of this
extraordinary location for a lifetime.

Bisti Rock Formation
For information about sending photos for the FIAP News Youth Photographers Gallery, please
see the Information page located at the rear of this magazine.

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