Zabriskie Point is one of the iconic views of Death Valley. It features an amazing, deeply furrowed landscape, punctuated by a “fin” shaped hill. In the early morning twilight, this landscape comes alive with color.
Early twilight brings the first hint of light on the mountain tops as seen from the trail below the main observation point.
Shooting vertical (or portrait orientation) captures the many layers of hills leading out to the "fin". Using a telephoto lens here will flatten the image and stack the hills up on top of each another.
Early twilight color.
The valley floor has tons of rich textures!
Alpen glow on mountains in the background.
Soft golden light on the ridge top trail that skirts along the northern edge of canyon. Some excellent views are available if you are willing to hike this somewhat dizzying, intimidating trail. With steep dropoffs on either side and a very narrow path (barely wide enough for a tripod), its not for anyone afraid of heights.
Morning twilight from a vantage point 30 minutes up the ridge top trail.
First light on the fin as seen from the ridge top trail.
Heading back to the main observation point on the ridge top trail.
Late morning sun.
This panoramic shot gives you a holistic sense of the valley. The wash on the left is flanked by deeply furrowed ridges (and shadows).
A lone photographer, dressed in bright orange, can be seen capturing the furrowed landscape from a low vantage point.