White Sands

Landscapes in Gypsum White Dunes

October 15–18, 2022

The newest addition to America’s National Park System, White Sands has much to offer. The ever-changing white gypsum dunes of White Sands rise from the Tularosa Basin and take on the light from the the sky above them. We will hike deep into the dunes to photograph the iconic sunset over the dunes, with the San Andres Mountains as the backdrop.

Using telephoto lenses, we will compress the dunes to try to capture the unique shapes that can seem almost corporeal. We will also explore some of the hidden treasures of the largest gypsum dune field in the world. The dunes can appear stark and desolate, but due to its shallow water table, White Sands offers unique flora and fauna. It is here we will use wide angle lenses and learn how to get the best out of them utilizing the near-far concept. Hedgehog cactus, soaptree yuccas, cottonwood trees, and a multitude of other species abound. This time of year, the cottonwood trees will be in their fall gold and contrast beautifully with the deep blue sky and the white dunes.

This workshop will also include the Muench Workshop image review and valuable post processing including Photoshop. Expect to learn new skills from ranging from pano-stitching and exposure blending to low light processing.