Otherworldly Beauty in the Valley of Dreams

Scouting the Valley of Dreams

January 31 – February 1, 2020

While scouting for astrophotography compositions for our September 2020 Workshop in New Mexico, the 319 Photography team would encounter a location unlike any other on Earth.

Seeing photos of the dramatic and widely varied landscapes of the Valley of Dreams doesn’t nearly do it justice. It is truly an area unlike any other. A unique geological treasure in an otherwise flat and featureless plain, it is no surprise why the Valley of Dreams is a sacred site to the native Navajo that still care for the site today.

The first of our 2 nights in the New Mexico wilderness took us to Shiprock, an enormous rock formation from an ancient volcano, looming over northwestern New Mexico and visible from miles around.

Truly a sight to behold, especially up close (where we will be photographing it during the September workshop). It is one of those sights you really can’t believe you’re witnessing, even when it’s right in front of you.

But as it turned out, Shiprock would be overshadowed (figuratively if not literally) by the area we explored the following afternoon and evening…

To say that the Ah-shi-sle-pah wilderness area is remote would be like saying the Arctic gets a little chilly. It truly is a hidden gem out in the middle of nowhere. With no paved roads approaching within several miles of the site, even if you know where you’re headed, you could easily get lost along the way.

Luckily, we had done our homework and traveled out into the Bisti Badlands area with the help of two wonderful guides: Kialo and Gil from Navajo Tours USA.

After leading us down barely visible dirt roads, we parked and prepared for the additional walk that would take us to the Valley of Dreams. The trip was more than worth the effort for what we would see in that incredible area.

Knowing our mission of scouting locations to shoot the Milky Way, we immediately got to work taking test shots and planning compositions. For our team, it is truly a labor of love, made easier by the beautiful landscapes we have the incredible fortune to explore.

Planning routes for our students to and from the shooting sites, logistics and strategy are critical for crafting a once in a lifetime experience for our students.

Before the sun began to set, Tony suggested bringing the team together in front of Alien Throne to take an “Album Cover” photo. 

I think the results speak for themselves:

As the sun fell below the horizon, the sky began to explode with color, casting beautiful, soft light across the entire area. It was an amazingly awe inspiring sight.

We were like kids in a candy store, with stunning views and gorgeous light every direction you looked. We scrambled around, trying to maximize our time capturing this absolutely stunning sunset.

As anyone who has shot sunset knows, the light goes FAST, and every second counts.

As the last light faded on the horizon, we took a few moments to laugh and soak in what we had just witnessed. Yet more memories we would always treasure, on this continuing adventure of bringing the joy of photography to others.