The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are amazing. Truly mesmerizing. I could spend a year there and not be bored.
Sunrise brings the largest dune, known as Star Dune, fresh drama. A7rii 900mm F8
However, getting to the big dune takes a LONG time. At least an hour of trudging on unforgiving wavy sand dunes, it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Here are a few logistical tips for photographing them.
Tip #1 - BRING A LOT OF WATER
Remember, your in the fucking desert, it's trying to kill you. Water can help you not be dead.
Tip #2 - DONT GO ALONE
Rob looking cool on Star Dune. He's being absolutely blasted in the face with an unreasonably high-powered flashlight by Agustin whose just out of frame.
So you can see the big dune from your car right?
"Everything's dandy, I can just head out there alone, I mean I just gotta walk dead straight for a few miles and I'm good."
famous last words
As soon as you get over the first little dune, guess what? You can't see your car anymore! And if you get too caught up shooting like I ALWAYS do, you'll soon be disoriented and then you'll die. And it won't make for a cool obituary. "In a tragic sand dune accident... Jimmy couldn't find his way out." Everyone will just be like "Why didn't he just leave the sand?" They'll never understand.
You can really only see your tiny lil car from the very top of star dune, so if you get lost, I guess go to the big dune and try to get un lost.
My advice:
go with a group. Hopefully they are a sensible bunch, and you'll be less likely to be munched on by coyotes.
Tip #3 - BRING ALL YOUR BATTERIES
I guess this ones not super related to your survival, but it's important.
Don't be that guy/girl whose completely out of batteries because you shot 8000 pictures through the night. When the epic sunrise comes, AND IT WILL you will hate yourself.
(My battery died directly after taking this last shot. It got way more epic but I missed it)
Epic sunrise you missed because your an idiot. A7rii 16-35
That's it for now, there will definitely be a part 2 coming soon.