During this particular week I had a Canon 5DSr on loan from Canon CPS. Rather than take just the usual shots locally, I decided to venture a little further and try to put the camera to use in a more grand view.
Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70mm f2.8L II, ISO 100
I decided to revisit a place a friend had taken me for a short film we shot about a year before. It was definitely a further drive than I had anticipated, but completely worth it.
Canon 5DSr, Canon 35mm F1.4L II, ISO 160
Located about 22 miles outside the town of Ridgecrest, the drive is beautiful. Just a massive expanse of desert highway past a few signs to give you directions, until you come up on the turn off for a dirt road to enter the National Landmark.
Drive too fast and you might miss the turn off.
Entering the main dirt road was a little interesting as it doesn't have the most obvious route visible. There are a few signs that give you an idea of the layout of the park.
Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70mm f2.8L II, ISO 100, Stitched Panoramic in Lightroom Classic CC
Here is a quote from the main Bureau of Land Management's website about the Landmark:
“The Trona Pinnacles are a unique geological features in the California Desert Conservation Area. The unusual landscape consists of more than 500 tufa spires, some as high as 140 feet, rising from the bed of the Searles Dry Lake basin. The pinnacles vary in size and shape from short and squat to tall and thin, and are composed primarily of calcium carbonate (tufa). The Trona Pinnacles have been featured in many commercials, films, and still-photo shoots.
”
As you travel down the dirt road you pass by some train tracks carrying train cars filled with Gypsum and other minerals. This area is also part of Searles Lake, which from what I understand is rich in mineral deposits.
Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70mm f2.8L II, ISO 100, Stitched Panoramic in Lightroom Classic CC
The road is not the most pleasant to drive down. A long stretch that is nothing part harsh washboard which as you might have seen from a photo or two, aided in me loosing one of my hubcaps. 🤦♂️
But once you make your way closer, you are finally greeted by the signs to let you know you've entered the Lake Basin.
Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70 F2.8L II, ISO 100
Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70 F2.8L II, ISO 100
This was one of the most relaxing and awe-inspiring location's I've ever been to. I arrived around 3pm, so I didn't have much time to shoot, but I was able to get in a few good time-lapses as well just as the sun was going down.
Even though I was here with the sun at a higher point in the sky than I necessarily wanted, it was still amazing to see these formations in the light that I did. One great thing about using the Canon 5DSr in this instance was the larger sensor seemed to really help the dynamic range and keeping a lot of detail in the shadows. Plus getting to capture this landscape with a larger megapixel camera left me with a lot of options in Post. (Click the image below to see it in greater detail)
Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70 f2.8L II, ISO 100
One of the things I loved about this location was that I saw maybe a total of 4 people the entire day. 5 people! The silence was almost deafening. But hugely inspirational.
One fascinating thing I found near the only restroom you can find in the whole park was this strange dugout whole in one of the spires. Looks to be fairly old, and I'm guessing was used as some kind of relief from the heat. But I'd like to imagine that it once was a hiding place for something amazing. It brings back memories of Lost season 1 when they found the hatch.
Almost every angle you would look would have an amazing vista. Such a surreal place.
I spent most of the rest of the day wandering around to try and find the best view for a time-lapse.
Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70 f2.8L II, ISO 100
Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70 f2.8L II, ISO 100
I had my other Canon 5D Mark iii with me, so I was able to setup a couple time-lapses just as the sun was setting.
Where I decided to park to get the time-lapses.
This direction had some interesting cloud formations just above the mountain range. No idea what they're called. Do you? 🤔
Canon 5D Mark iii, 24-70 f2.8L II, ISO 100 (Still from the Time-lapse which can be found at the end of the post)
All in all this place did not disappoint. And so many other photographers have captured amazing shots and vantage points that I hadn't even thought of. I'll need to make my way out there again very soon.
Canon 5DSr, Canon 35mm f1.4L II, ISO 100, Stitched Panoramic in Lightroom Classic CC
FullHD Resolution Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/XsPz7Jq3QsE
FullHD Resolution Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/GXBuegnAmvY
FullHD Resolution Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/3EeEw-YrEMc