The Badlands are rugged, beautiful and vast. Located in the Black Hills, the park is a diverse landscape of sedimentary rock and clay which is continuously eroded by wind and water. The Lakota named this area the “bad lands” for its loose earth, steep slopes and deep sand, all of which impeded travel and uses.
Photographing the gullies, canyons, hoodoos and ravines was an amazing experience as I watched the light play on the red clay, the vibrant yellow mounds and the striations of dark minerals.
“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”~ Ansel Adams
Yellow Mounds and Tree
Badlands Vista
“There are two people in every photograph: the photographer and the viewer” ~ Ansel Adams
Red Earth, Badlands
Weathered
Yellow Mounds
“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” ~ Ansel Adams
Morning Glory
Layers, Badlands
“A photograph is usually looked at- seldom looked into.” ~ Ansel Adams
Canyon and Peaks
The View, Badlands
Please click here for more images of this amazing place…
It’s an amazing world we live in.
Just beautiful.
It certainly is, Karen. So much to see and appreciate. Thank you for taking a moment to look at these images.
This place is totally on my must see list. Great job, I think the first image is my favorite of the group although all are quite good. The colors, composition and perspective are excellent. I’d bet that would look real good printed up quite large!!
Hi Derrick, The yellow mounds in the Badlands was my favorite spot. I have loads of images. They have an impressionistic quality that is incredible. I loved photographing them. Thanks so much for enjoying these shots- I do hope you get there sometime soon. I agree, they would look good in a large print!
You really captured all the beauty and glory of that area… A place I would love to see again! Great job! Always fun to see the world through your eyes.
Thanks so much, Cynthia. Happy you enjoyed this set.
Wow, how cool! Must get there one day. Beautifully captured Jane.
Thanks, T.
Wow … Wonderful photos of this different but magnificent landscape !! And i really appreciate your informative text about the Badlands … I look forwad to your next post !
// Maria
Thanks, Maria. Glad you enjoyed the photos and I’m happy you learned something new about the Badlands. Appreciate it!
I feel like my geology and art history classes are combining right now. “Yellow Mounds and Tree” is very aesthetically pleasing. The colors are vibrant and I love the placement of the tree.
Gordon, Once again, you’ve made my day with your insights. I agree, the yellow mounds are like paintings and the colors are amazing. So glad you enjoyed these. Thank you very much!
A great place for photographs but definitely not inviting to live in or travel through.
Hi Milka– I can’t imagine what it was like in the “old days”.. definitely a daunting landscape. Thanks for appreciating this set.
A beautiful photo set. As close as it is, I’ve ever made the trip to the Badlands.
Hi David, Thank you! Worth the drive- I think you would enjoy it…road trip!
How beautiful, amazing to see such greatness. Congratulations for the shooting.
Hi Carlos, Thank you! I’m happy that you enjoyed seeing this incredible national park.
Wonderful pictures Jane! From the lushness of Kentucky to the arid landscape of the badlands! Thanks for taking us with you!
Allison
Thank you, Allison. Happy you are enjoying the wonderful diversity of the US! Appreciate your comments.
Jane, great shots..brings back memories of my 1967 visit…as I mentioned, when you return, I will regale you with the 50+ color slides I took of The Badlands when they were much younger…as was I…
Greg Brown
Hi Greg- How nice to hear from you. I am looking forward to seeing those slides and hearing more stories of your epic cross country trip! Thanks for enjoying the 2013 version.
The “view”.. Anybody we know looking out over this vastness of incredibly strange beauty…
Thank you for the tour.. Linda
Hi Linda, Some hikers who I willed to stop on top of the ridge! Happy to get that moment. Thanks so much.
This is fantastic! My husband and I were over the weekend about going to see the Badlands. The scenery is amazing, hope we make the trip it’s a photographer and painters dream. I bet you loved every minute of the trip.
Hi Mary, It is well worth it– as a painter, you would be thrilled. I certainly was shooting there! Glad you enjoyed these– thank you!
OMG….these r STUNNING!! You just get lost in their beauty…..WOW…what a trip!!
ENJOY!!
Thanks, April. It has been quite an adventure. This area was astounding.
Fantastic photos.
Thank you, Jane!
Incredible photos! That last shot does a great job of giving you a perspective of vastness of the park. K
Hi Kath- Thanks! It was a very cool place to hike and photograph. I was glad to catch a few people hiking in some of my shots.. you are right, it does help provide some much needed perspective.
Wow!! The striped layers of colour are so so gorgeous. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Clouds of Color- The red layers are beautiful. Thanks so much for your comment.
Stunning Jane. What a fabulous landscape.
Hi Edith- There are so many unusual formations… a feast for the lens. Thank so much.
Thank you for capturing these majestic mountains of beauty . Keep sharing, love what you see and do!
Hi Carol, I’m so glad to hear from you. Thanks so much for enjoying these landscapes.
Fantastic photos as usual, Jane. Great colours: just as nature intended!!
Hi Fred- Nature’s colors at their finest! Thank you for appreciating.
I was there a few years ago and I hope to return again. Great shots of a place not many get to see.
Hi Ken, It is an overlooked National Park. We stayed in newly built cabins right in the park and it was fantastic. Glad you enjoyed this set- thanks so much!
Great shots Jane! I like them so much 🙂
What a place!
Hi Javier- It really is amazing. You would have a great time with your lens. Thanks so much!
Wow, this is really breathtaking. I hope to save up and see all these wonderful sights. Great pictures and thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Aregularcupofjo- I’m so glad you enjoyed these- the Badlands really are incredible. I hope you get there at some point. Thanks so much for your comment.
You’re welcome 🙂 If you ever want to read some funny and inspirational stories from my life, you are more than welcome to come by my blog and have a Cup of Joe.