Badlands National Park: Sunset

Nearly 10 hours in Badlands National Park, and the show was reaching its grand finale. Pinnacles Overlook was the place I'd read delivered the best sunset views, so that's where I set up shop.

Sunset is a special moment, but a fleeting one.  Being on site and prepared early enabled me to catch a beautiful scene of the sun just dipping below some striking cloud formations.

Late light brings shadows and contrast, which really help add definition and interest to a landscape like this one.

Colors begin to fill the sky, and J.J. Abrams starts to appreciate the scene even more.

I have a graduated neutral density filter that enables me to get better balance between the sky and foreground at sunrise and sunset.  But I've gotten pretty lazy about using it and rely on Lightroom to do the job in post-production instead.

I used to like having jet trails across the sky in my shots, feeling like it added a little something extra.  The one here just bugs me.

Tried a trick I learned from John Gerlach here -- changing the white balance to 10000K to bring out more red in the sky.

Like arriving early, staying late can also pay dividends.  The sky continues to deliver interesting colors and textures after the sun dips below the horizon.

The effect of a polarizing filter in action.  On ...

... and off.  Same basic scene, but different elements take on very different appearances.

After I'd packed up, left the park and was headed into Wall I couldn't help but stop at this farm building silhouetted against the twilight sky and shoot just a few more pictures.  After a long day like today I sometimes think of skipping opportunities.  Those are the moments I need to remember to ask myself, "When exactly do you plan on coming back here?"

An amazing day in an overlooked national park had finally come to an end.  I was exhausted, but thoroughly satisfied.  With a little planning, a little stamina and the willingness to get an early start I'd been able to squeeze more out of 10 hours than I'd thought possible.  A truly special day.