Fiery Sunset in Joshua Tree National Park
I made a trip to California's Joshua Tree National Park, hoping to capture a bit of its magical sunrises and sunsets, unique rock formations and iconic Joshua Tree cactuses.
Every night and morning was a revelation of light and color! This image was captured as I wondered in the hills behind the house we were staying at as the sun set behind the rocks. As I was totally focused on capturing this image before the light went away, I had the eerie feeling I was being watched. Sure enough, as I pulled my eye away from my view finder, there was a coyote watching me!
This photo will make a wonderful addition to your home or office.
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.
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Find more great images of wildlife and landscapes in my shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/richardmilesphotos
