Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park sits at the convergence of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, offering a landscape unlike anywhere else, with twisted Joshua trees, massive boulder formations, and wide open skies that reward photographers at almost any hour. The boulder piles scattered throughout the park make for endlessly interesting compositions; try placing a Joshua tree in the foreground with a cluster of rocks behind it, or climb to an elevated position on the boulders to look down over the desert floor. Sunrise and sunset deliver dramatic warm light that rakes across the rough rock textures and silhouettes the trees beautifully, while blue hour and night photography here are exceptional thanks to minimal light pollution and reliably clear skies. A wide angle lens in the 16 to 24mm range works well for star trails or sweeping landscape shots, and a longer lens lets you isolate individual trees against distant rock formations. Skull Rock and Jumbo Rocks are accessible roadside stops worth prioritizing. (Joshua Tree National Park, California, United States)
