Dealth Valley or Salton Sea?

4 years 9 months ago #646233 by Alex
I'm feeling the itch to get out and trying to figure out which location I feel like going too.   Death Valley will take me about 5.5 hours to get to, and Salton Sea about 2.5.  I've seen some great shots of Bombay Beach ruins, however they are from 2012 and 2014.  I'm curious where the water levels might be at this time.  I've seen some shots with a dead tree surrounded by water at sunset that looked cool.  Also one shot of a set of pillions in a "7" formation surrounded by water.   I couldn't find any new shots that would confirm water levels here.   I don't suppose you have been here and can share where the water levels are at? 

If I go here, and it doesn't pan out, I could always drive north 1 hour to south side of Joshua Tree. 

But Death Valley I think would be great, but it's 5 hours drive with out factoring in traffic.  So, as you can see, I'm weighing in which location makes more sense. 

Which would you go to?   

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4 years 9 months ago - 4 years 9 months ago #646254 by garyrhook
Death Valley. All night long.

IMNSHO, of course.


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4 years 9 months ago #646261 by Alex
Let me add one more factor to this.  Temp:








I'm leaning towards Death Valley now... just not looking forward to the drive.  

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4 years 9 months ago #646267 by garyrhook
Well, yeah, there's that. Summer is for going to the PNW or  Canada. I'd plan on sleeping during the day and doing some night work along with morning / evening.

FWIW, we have the same issue with Big Bend. October -> April is great. The rest of the time it's too darn hot.


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4 years 9 months ago #646378 by Pete Franko
Watch out Death Valley can get upwards of 120 F during the day.  With the nights still hovering in the 90's.  bring plenty of water and GPS if you have one.  I've heard stories of people getting disoriented and lost in the sand dunes there.   

With that said, there are incredible photo opportunities at DV, during sunset, sunrise and milky way shots!  

Good luck Alex!  


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4 years 9 months ago #646388 by Alex

garyrhook wrote: Well, yeah, there's that. Summer is for going to the PNW or  Canada. I'd plan on sleeping during the day and doing some night work along with morning / evening.

FWIW, we have the same issue with Big Bend. October -> April is great. The rest of the time it's too darn hot.


I hear you Gary.  Well these locations are just driving distances and 2 locations I've not been to before.  Death Valley will be incredible, especially with all the rain we have received this winter,  I'll  likely drive up get positioned for the sunset, and photograph through out the night, and capture the sunrise, then drive home and avoid the nasty day heat.  

How far is Big Bend from you? 

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4 years 9 months ago #646389 by Alex

Pete Franko wrote: Watch out Death Valley can get upwards of 120 F during the day.  With the nights still hovering in the 90's.  bring plenty of water and GPS if you have one.  I've heard stories of people getting disoriented and lost in the sand dunes there.   

With that said, there are incredible photo opportunities at DV, during sunset, sunrise and milky way shots!  

Good luck Alex!  


I was just looking at more of the milky way photos from Death Valley, amazing!  

Thank you for making PhotographyTalk.com your photography community of choice.
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4 years 9 months ago #646418 by Moe
+1  Death Valley 


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4 years 9 months ago #646452 by Prago
Do you know the history behind the Salton Sea?  I saw a documentary on it last year, very interesting. 

SWM into chainsaws and hockey masks seeks like-minded SWF. No weirdos, please
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4 years 9 months ago #646497 by Hoss
If you can handle the heat, death Valley all the way


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4 years 9 months ago #646547 by Overread
I've been to both, and both have certain attractions that make each spot so like-able.   


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4 years 9 months ago #646619 by fmw
Death Valley has been one of my favorite venues for photography.  It ranks right up there with Yosemite.  I usually go in the late fall or winter when the weather is lovely.


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4 years 9 months ago - 4 years 9 months ago #646695 by Chris Curran



LOL 19:00 to see all sorts of photographers 


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4 years 9 months ago #646697 by Chris Curran
Here's another interesting video on DV, just make sure your car is in better driving condition than the one these guys took in there.  



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4 years 9 months ago #646699 by garyrhook
That video is quite nice. Thanks for sharing the find.


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