import AffiliateCard from '@/components/AffiliateCard'; import CalloutBox from '@/components/CalloutBox'; import FAQAccordion from '@/components/FAQAccordion'; White Sands National Park is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Located in southern New Mexico, this 275-square-mile sea of white gypsum dunes creates one of the most surreal landscapes I've ever photographed. ## Why White Sands Is Special The dunes here aren't made of silica sand like most deserts. They're composed of gypsum crystals, which rarely form sand dunes because gypsum is water-soluble. White Sands exists because it sits in a closed basin where water can't escape, leaving behind these brilliant white crystals. ## Planning Your Visit I visited in **November 2022**, during the shoulder season (fall/spring), which I highly recommend. The weather was warm but not scorching, crowds were minimal, and the low-angle light was perfect for photography. **Best time to visit:** Late October through early April for comfortable temperatures. Summer can exceed 100°F (38°C). **How long to stay:** Plan for at least two golden hour sessions. I only had one evening and wished I'd allocated more time—one session to scout, a second to execute with better knowledge of the terrain. **Morning limitation:** The park opens at 7am daily, which means you might miss sunrise golden hour depending on the season. Evening shoots are generally more reliable. **Planning tools:** I use [PhotoPills](https://www.photopills.com/) to check exact golden hour timing before any landscape shoot. It's invaluable for planning both sunset and, if you're shooting astrophotography, Milky Way positioning. ## Best Time to Photograph ### Golden Hour Like most landscape photography, the magic happens during golden hour. The low-angle light creates dramatic shadows that emphasize the dune patterns. The white sand acts as a giant reflector, bouncing warm light in every direction. ### Blue Hour Don't pack up after sunset. The white dunes take on beautiful blue and purple tones during twilight, and the contrast against the warm sky can be spectacular. ### Midday While harsh, midday light creates high-contrast scenes that can work for more graphic, minimalist compositions. The stark white against deep blue sky is quintessential White Sands. ## Camera Settings & Technique The brilliant white sand will fool your camera's meter. Here's what actually worked for me: Use +1 to +1.5 stops exposure compensation when shooting in aperture priority mode. The sand should be bright but not blown out on your histogram. Check your highlights frequently—it's easy to clip the whites in this environment. **My settings:** - **Aperture:** f/8 to f/11 (I took test shots and reviewed them on the LCD to ensure sharpness) - **ISO:** 100 in stable conditions, bumped to 200-400 when wind picked up - **Mode:** Aperture Priority with +1 to +1.5 exposure compensation **The tripod challenge:** Setting up a tripod in sand is harder than it looks. The legs sink and shift, especially in soft dunes. My solution was a combination approach: **dig the tripod legs deep into the sand AND use a slightly faster shutter speed** than you'd normally need. When wind picked up, I'd bump the ISO to achieve 1/200s or faster. Always review your shots on the LCD—those test shots saved me from soft images caused by tripod movement. ## Composition Tips ### Look for Patterns The wind creates beautiful ripple patterns in the sand. Get low to emphasize these textures, especially during golden hour when shadows accentuate every ridge. ### Find Contrast The yuccas dotting the landscape provide excellent focal points. Their dark forms contrast beautifully against the white dunes. ### Simplify White Sands rewards minimalist compositions. A single dune against the sky can be more powerful than a complex scene. ## The 30-Minute Rule Here's something critical that caught me off guard: **White Sands National Park closes 30 minutes after sunset** ([check current hours](https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/hours.htm)). You must be back at your car and out of the park by then—no exceptions, and don't break park rules for a photograph. This creates a real challenge for photographers. I wanted to hike deep into the Alkali Flat Trail to find pristine dunes without footprints, but the deeper you go, the longer your return hike. I found myself constantly checking my watch, balancing the quest for untouched compositions against having enough time to actually shoot during golden hour. While I recommend getting away from tourist footprints, don't go so deep that you sacrifice golden hour shooting time. I felt rushed and would have loved to capture blue hour, but that's not an option. Find your balance—maybe 15-20 minutes in, shoot as the light peaks, then work your way back. This is why **two evenings minimum** is ideal if you're serious about photography. Use the first to scout and understand the terrain, the second to nail your shots with better time management. ## Gear That Worked I shot with a **Sony A7III** and the **Sony 100-400mm GM** lens—an unusual choice for landscape photography, where wide-angles dominate. But in the vast expanse of White Sands, telephoto compression became my best tool. The 100-400mm allowed me to isolate individual dune curves, compress layers of distant dunes, and create more intimate compositions in an otherwise overwhelming landscape. **My actual setup:** - **Camera:** Sony A7III ([read more about my gear](/journal/gear-i-use)) - **Lens:** Sony 100-400mm GM (for compression and isolation) - **Tripod:** Manfrotto BeFree aluminum—lightweight for hiking, but stability was challenging - **Filter:** None, but I wish I'd brought a circular polarizer to cut glare and protect the front element from blowing sand ### Protecting Your Gear from Gypsum Dust Fine gypsum dust gets everywhere and can damage your camera's sensor and lens mechanisms. Wind can pick up suddenly, turning the sand airborne. Always have protection ready between shots. **Essential protection gear:** - Lens cloths (bring extras) - Air blower (manual, not compressed air) - Protective rain cover for your camera - Gallon ziplock bags for lens changes - Keep lens swaps to an absolute minimum ## Where to Stay **Alamogordo** is the closest town to White Sands, about 15 miles from the park entrance. It's your best base for photography trips. Stay on the south or west side of town for the shortest drive to the park. **Mid-range recommendation:** Holiday Inn Express Alamogordo has clean rooms, free breakfast, and is photographer-friendly with early checkout. Request a room facing away from Highway 54 for better sleep. **Budget option:** Best Western Desert Aire is reliable and affordable. **Alternative base:** Las Cruces (45 minutes away) offers more upscale hotels and better dining options if you don't mind the drive. ### Getting There White Sands is located about 15 miles southwest of Alamogordo, NM. The nearest major airport is El Paso (ELP), about 90 minutes away. Albuquerque (ABQ) is roughly 3.5 hours north. ### Camping Alternative Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is 12 miles south of Alamogordo with tent sites offering incredible views of the Tularosa Basin. Book well in advance—sites fill up during peak season. ## When I Captured These Images I visited White Sands in November 2022, arriving about two hours before sunset during the shoulder season. The warm weather and low-angle light were perfect, but I quickly learned about the park's 30-minute-post-sunset closure. Between hiking deep into the Alkali Flat Trail to escape footprints and actually having time to shoot, I felt rushed. The solitude was remarkable. Once you hike a few hundred yards from the road, you'll likely have the landscape to yourself—no people, no footprints, just pristine white dunes in every direction. It's one of the most meditative photography experiences I've had. Looking back, I wish I'd allocated two evenings instead of one. The first evening would have been for scouting and understanding how deep I could safely hike while still having ample shooting time. The second would have been for execution. If you're making the trip, don't make my mistake—give yourself at least two golden hour sessions. ## Frequently Asked Questions --- White Sands reminds me why I photograph landscapes. In a world of constant digital noise, there's something profoundly peaceful about standing in this otherworldly place, waiting for the light to do its magic.

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