One of our favorite locations in Joshua Tree is the Jumbo Rocks campground and trail to Skull Rock. This has one of the most picturesque rock walls in the park. Here’s how to photograph it.
LOOK
Towards the end of the Jumbo Rocks campground is the trail to Skull Rock. There are about four day-use parking spots across from the trail head. If they are full, you will have to park on the main road and walk in. After just 50 yards or so on the trail, peal off to the right after the first rise. You will see a large flat rock area. Keep moving right until you can see sky under the large round boulder on the top of the hill.
SEE
I used my Fujinon 18-105 mm so that I could go wide and zoom in to the top of the ridge. There are a number of foreground rocks you can use. Mary and I named this one the potato.
IMAGINE
We used both color and infrared cameras. Because of the great texture and bald sky, I pretty much decided in the field that monotone was going to be my choice when processing, so I tried to imagine the scene in black and white.
CREATE
This composition looks great in portrait and landscape orientation. The two round rocks and geometric patterns are very pleasing and everything is pointing to the right. The special thing about this photo is its symmetry, especially the “gap” below both round rocks.
There is plenty to see in this area and in the campground. Don’t forget this famous composition behind camp site #19.
We have a number of posts on our blog about Joshua Tree. Here is our last one about photographing sunrise at Barker Dam and our very popular Weekend in Joshua Tree.
To see more of (and buy) our photos, please go to www.pamphotography.com.
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