A couple of things to consider that people often forget in that area. Many
have said drink lots of water. That's an understatement. Some wonder off with
a one quart canteen(ok about a liter) and on many days you are going to need at
least that an hour. The tough part is that you won't be used to that kind of
heat like the locals. Water there is life and people die in that desert all
the time, mostly from sun stroke and dehydration.
You mentioned the topographical map and compass. Since you mentioned them I
assume you know how to use them, but I would add an additional suggestion if
you can swing it. IF you don't have one, get a handheld GPS and always store
on as a waypoint. Its really cheap insurance when they are about $100 US these
days, and I would consider them an absolute MUST in areas when getting lost
often means getting a casket for someone. Even the cheap ones are good now to
about 30 feet.
One final suggestion is that IIRC the Death Valley is a national park and as
such should have park rangers ect or other employees that can tell you other
things you need to know to be safe, especially if you are getting off the
beaten paths. Always be prepared to be stuck out overnight at least one night
or two, even if you don't plan to be out. If you are prepared, it can be just
another good story. Unprepared and its at best an emergency.
Still this isn't to scare you off. Actually its just the opposite, but it is
like many things and many areas. The wild is very demanding of respect, and
very unforgiving of mistakes at times. People at that point are just another
part of the food chain, but with proper planning and a little thought you can
enjoy your lunch instead of being an animals lunch.
--- On Mon, 5/5/08, Bogdan Karasek <bkarasek@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> From: Bogdan Karasek <bkarasek@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [pure-silver] Re: Shooting in the desert
> To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Monday, May 5, 2008, 11:11 PM
> Hi
>
> First off I want to thank al the people who took the time
> to answer and
> give information and sources about the park. Obviously 8
> days is only
> scratching the surface.
>
> Howard, you mention at the bottom that the sites suggested
> by Kron were
> far apart. I'll be staying in Tecopa Hot Springs which
> is just outside
> the south east end of the park near Shoshone. How far
> would that be to
> Furnace Creek and StovePipe Wells, how many hours driving,
> not like
> we're on an Interstate??? Maybe I should limit myself
> to the south end
> of the park and take the time to explore that, less time
> spent driving,
> closer to home base.
>
> If I had a topo map, I could calculate the distances and
> get compass
> bearings, elevations, grades but road maps are just that,
> roads.
>
> Anyway, a Big Thanks to all who contributed to making this
> a better trip.
>
> Cheers,
> Bogdan
>
> Howard Efner wrote:
>
> >
> > On May 5, 2008, at 8:04 PM, Bogdan Karasek wrote:
> >
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> I hope this isn't considered off topic and I
> come seeking
> >> photographic advice. This June 18th, I'll be
> going to Death Valley,
> >> California, for 8 days. The question I have
> concerns how I should
> >> adapt my shooting to the harsh and contrasty
> light in the desert.
> >>
> >
> > Bogdan, other than it being hotter than the proverbial
> in June, DV is
> > an unusual place to photograph. I was there in late
> Feb. several
> > years ago and was surprised at the unusually low
> contrast even in mid
> > day - 2-3 or so stops between highlights and shadows!
> Then again you
> > have two giant reflectors on the East and West sides
> of the valley.
> > Also the light was quite warm. Kron mentioned a bunch
> of locations -
> > and they are far apart!- one other would be Zabriskey
> point.
> >
> > Howard
> >
> =============================================================================================================
>
> >
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> >
> >
>
> --
> ________________________________________________________________
> Bogdan Karasek
> Montréal, Québec
> bogdan(at)bogdanphoto.com
> Canada www.bogdanphoto.com
>
> "I bear witness"
> ________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
>
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