White Sands, NM Area for Photography: In a couple of weeks I will have about 2.5 days in the Almagordo, NM area. I will do at least one morning and one evening shoot at White Sands NP.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

In a couple of weeks I will have about 2.5 days in the Almagordo, NM area. I will do at least one morning and one evening shoot at White Sands NP.

Does anyone have suggestions for areas at White Sands to plan to get to, or does it make a lot of difference what area you shoot in?

Also, are there other areas of interest for photography in the Almagordo area?

Thanks for any suggestions.

DVZ Loc: Littleton CO

Very nice sunrises and sunsets there. This time of year it gets chilly, the downside of that is if the sand is moist it freezes at night and doesn't get blown around enough to cover the footprints the daytime visitors leave. But be there when the sun is low so that the shadows bring out the ripples in the sand.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Hope you get some great shots.

dasgeiss

JFCoupe wrote:

In a couple of weeks I will have about 2.5 days in the Almagordo, NM area. I will do at least one morning and one evening shoot at White Sands NP.

Does anyone have suggestions for areas at White Sands to plan to get to, or does it make a lot of difference what area you shoot in?

Also, are there other areas of interest for photography in the Almagordo area?

Thanks for any suggestions.

White Sands didn't show me much back in 1987 but Los Alamos is a photographer's paradise. It is a gorgeous place with the Via Grande Valley down below and the Jemus mountains as a border. Just a suggestion is all.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

JFCoupe wrote:

In a couple of weeks I will have about 2.5 days in the Almagordo, NM area. I will do at least one morning and one evening shoot at White Sands NP.

Does anyone have suggestions for areas at White Sands to plan to get to, or does it make a lot of difference what area you shoot in?

Also, are there other areas of interest for photography in the Almagordo area?

Thanks for any suggestions.

If the moon is full, you can get some really beautiful photos after dark. Opinion solidified over 50 years ago and began my longing to return to photography.

DVZ Loc: Littleton CO

You're not far from Carlsbad Caverns if you've never been it's amazing. We do the walk-in and if we run out of time take the elevator up. Also a little further South right across the Texas border is Guadalupe Mountains Nat. Park, it's very photogenic.

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

DVZ wrote:

Very nice sunrises and sunsets there. This time of year it gets chilly, the downside of that is if the sand is moist it freezes at night and doesn't get blown around enough to cover the footprints the daytime visitors leave. But be there when the sun is low so that the shadows bring out the ripples in the sand.

Good points,,,thanks

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

Floyd wrote:

If the moon is full, you can get some really beautiful photos after dark. Opinion solidified over 50 years ago and began my longing to return to photography.

I hadn't thought about night time opportunities. I will check the moon tables for info. Probably will miss full moon but even a half moon could be interesting.

Thanks,

dasgeiss

DVZ wrote:

Very nice sunrises and sunsets there. This time of year it gets chilly, the downside of that is if the sand is moist it freezes at night and doesn't get blown around enough to cover the footprints the daytime visitors leave. But be there when the sun is low so that the shadows bring out the ripples in the sand.

Great shots. I was there only in mid day and now wished I had been there when you were. Absolutely beautiful!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

My favorite part is the circuit trail at the end of the drive through the park, the Alkali Flat Trail. The further you get away from the parking lot, the more likely you can find dunes with no footprints.

White Sands National Monument by Paul Sager, on Flickr

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Visit the Very Large Array too.

Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array by Paul Sager, on Flickr

IDguy Loc: Idaho

DVZ wrote:

You're not far from Carlsbad Caverns if you've never been it's amazing. We do the walk-in and if we run out of time take the elevator up. Also a little further South right across the Texas border is Guadalupe Mountains Nat. Park, it's very photogenic.

Carlsbad is the best National Park cave for photography. You can bring your tripod and take as long as you want on the 1.25 mile walkway.

I went down the natural entrance. It is not as scenic as down below. If time is limited, best to take the elevator down too.

Bill P

It is a beautiful place, but avoid the temptation to use only ultrawides.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

DVZ wrote:

Very nice sunrises and sunsets there. This time of year it gets chilly, the downside of that is if the sand is moist it freezes at night and doesn't get blown around enough to cover the footprints the daytime visitors leave. But be there when the sun is low so that the shadows bring out the ripples in the sand.

DVZ .., those are some nicely engineered shots ...., I love the sand ...

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

JFCoupe wrote:

In a couple of weeks I will have about 2.5 days in the Almagordo, NM area. I will do at least one morning and one evening shoot at White Sands NP.

Does anyone have suggestions for areas at White Sands to plan to get to, or does it make a lot of difference what area you shoot in?

Also, are there other areas of interest for photography in the Almagordo area?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Park closes after sunset, Check with rangers about being in the park at night. I believe you need a permit. Also, the park closes on some days due to Missile Testing. Make sure it's not going on when you plan to visit. We have been there at sunset and and early morning. In my opinion, early morning is the best time, 1. Get there when the gate opens, I think it's 7:00am, not as many people go then. 2. Walk out on to the dunes to find your shots. Warning: Don't wander too far from the road unless you are an experienced hiker. It's easy to get disoriented with all the white sand. 3. It's going to be pretty cold there this time of year in the early morning hours, dress accordingly. 4. Make sure you have water. 5. For fun, you can sled down the dunes, you can buy a sled at the Park entrance or there is a local Athletic store in town that sells them. We bought one in town, used it a few times, and then gave it to a family with kids that was just getting into the park. It made their day. WS is a beautiful park, Here is a link with more information about it. https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/conditions.htm