Joshua Tree National Park Iconic Rocks at Sunrise
I drove to a spot I hoped would give me both the light we wanted along with the view of the national park landscape. But man, it was cold and windy. Setting up my tripod I was worried about the wind -- would it blow me over? Would I get so much dust on my lens whatever photos I took would be useless? Would my fingers freeze before i could click the shutter?
At last the sun began to rise. The soft pinks and blue light filtering through the clouds, and the sunset dancing behind the iconic rock formations that the park is known for,
My name is Richard Miles and I’ve been in love with photography since I was a teenager, taking photos with an old Rollieflex camera my dad brought home from Germany.
My goal is to travel the world taking pictures. I love capturing a moment in time and space. I hope my photos touch people.
I’ve never had confidence that my photography could be more than a passion, so I’ve spent a lifetime in the corporate world. Declaring “I’m an artist” is much harder.
Like a composer who hears a song before writing a note, I can “see” in my mind’s eye what it is I want to create. So this year I set out to and “come out” as it were, as an artist.
I took a risk and joined a photographers group who encouraged me to put my photos up for sale. Even though I was insecure, I uploaded my best images hoping someone would buy them.
I’ll never forget the first time a stranger purchased one of my photos. I was out walking when I heard an unfamiliar “cha-ching” sound on my phone, letting me know that someone had bought my photo of Yosemite. “I’m on my way!”
I remember driving over snowy roads to Yosemite in winter. Up an hour before dawn, I ventured out in the icy cold. My fingers were freezing. With the scent of pine, I see the waterfall across the valley, snow piling at the bottom. I sure could use a hot cup of coffee.
As the sky lightened, I clicked the shutter. I got the shot. And that’s the image I sold!
Feeling confident, I donated a photo of a vineyard at sunset to a local organization for their annual auction. And it got nothing! Not a single bid, not even a pity or mercy bid. It really shook my confidence. Am I just an imposter?
My hopes plummeting, I was ready to give up my dream.
Meanwhile, I had entered photos into a competition at the County Fair, hoping to at least get a mention. I walked up to the exhibit hall, almost turning back several times, my heart pounding. The July heat was oppressive, my palms wet. I hesitated, and finally peeked in. And there was my photo, prominently displayed, right in front! Hanging from my photo was a blue ribbon. First place! To my shock…every one of my photos ribboned. I won first place in the Landscape category. And second place. I was filled with joy.
My confidence restored, I got back to it. I promised myself that I would continue.
Since that first sale, I’ve sold dozens more to people I don’t know. In fact, I’ve sold over 150 photos to people all over the world. It brings me such great joy to think of my artwork in other people’s spaces. I love it when I see pictures of my photos hanging on someone’s wall. And I’m totally in it for that feeling.
Named after the peculiar twisted Joshua Trees, this national park is one of America’s greatest natural playgrounds, where two desert ecosystems collide. From hiking some of the country’s most scenic trails and seeing the unique flora and fauna, to exploring unique desert museums and seeing the spectacular sunsets and starry night skies, there are many reasons why Joshua Tree National Park should go straight to the top of your bucket list.
Joshua Tree National Park is made up of two distinct desert ecosystems spanning across 3,000 kilometers. The lower Colorado Desert is set at 3,000-feet below sea level and is filled with creosote bushes, while the higher Mojave Desert is where you’ll find the iconic Joshua Trees. These gnarly trees are a type of Yucca and were named by Mormons in the 1850s who saw the twisted branches as the arms of Joshua pointing towards the promised lands.
Exploring the stunning landscapes of Joshua Tree is an incredible experience by day, but it gets even more spectacular in the morning and evening. The sunrises and sunsets here are unmatched, illuminating the desert in all shades of red, pink, blue and purple. It’s the perfect time to capture the spiky silhouettes of the Joshua Trees against the mesmerizing skies.
This image will make a great addition to your office or home, your kid's room or play area.
PURCHASE OPTIONS
READY TO DISPLAY PAPER, CANVAS, ACRYLIC OR METAL PRINTS: Experience the convenience of ready-to-hang prints that instantly transform your living room, conference room, bedroom, entryway, kitchen, office or dorm. Each print is carefully packaged, guaranteeing a hassle-free and enjoyable decorating experience.
VIBRANT AND DURABLE MATERIAL: Crafted with the utmost attention to detail, our wall decor is not only a feast for the eyes but also a testament to enduring quality. The longevity of our prints ensures that your investment in aesthetic enhancement pays off for years to come, making our photography wall decor a timeless addition to your home or office.
VERSATILE DISPLAY OPTIONS: Tailor your surroundings with our range of media and sizes, including large 3-panel prints. Whether you're looking to make a bold statement with a commanding centerpiece or create an intimate ambiance with smaller prints, our versatile sizing options ensure a perfect fit for any wall in your home or office.
UNIQUE ARTISTRY, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES: Elevate your home or office with exclusive and unique artistry that brings the beauty of nature to your space. Each piece is carefully crafted to evoke emotion and create a focal point that sparks conversation and appreciation.
OPTIONS & DETAILS: (see below for production and shipping times)
** Premium Glossy Photo Paper are high quality, professional paper-prints. This option is available in 5x7 inches, 8x10 inches, 11x14 inches or 16x20 inches. They are designed to be placed in a frame, which can be purchased separately (starting at a few dollars at your local art store or online).
** Ready to Hang Canvas (Framed and Unframed). Modern Floating Frames are available in either Black or Brown. Ready to hang right out of the box with zero assembly required.
** Ready to Hang Acrylic Prints. Museum-quality, .22" thick clear acrylic produces superb image quality and vivid colors. UV resistant ink prevents fading.
** Ready to Hang ChromaLuxe Metal prints. Unmatched color brilliance and durability.
PRODUCTION & SHIPPING TIMES:
* Glossy Photo Paper: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.
* Ready-to-Hang Canvas: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.
* Acrylic Prints: 10 days for printing, 5 business days for shipping.
* Metal Prints: 14 days for printing; 7 business days for shipping.
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?
Find more great images of wildlife and landscapes in my shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/richardmilesphotos
