“My favourite thing is to go where I’ve never been.”
– Diane Arbus
Joshua Tree and Cap Rock
Sisyphus
Joshua Tree and Clouds
“You don’t take pictures, they take you.”
~Jay Maisel
Joshua Tree Landscape
Joshua Tree and Moon
Cap Rock Climb
In the Mojave
Joshua Tree Bark
The Challenge
Split Rock
Pinnacle
“One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you’d be stricken blind.”
~Dorothea Lange
Hidden Valley
Shadow and Rock Wall
Desert Road
WOW … that’s a big collection of images! I can relate to your top quote … I love to explore! Great timing in ‘Pinnacle’. ‘Shadow and Rock Wall’, ‘Joshua Tree & Clouds’ and ‘Joshua Tree & Moon’ are all standouts in this set, for me. I like how you highlight the unique foliage. Sisyphus reminds me of some human growth gone wrong … what a weird formation!
Wow, these photos have captured a fresh and powerful scenery with the Joshua trees and rocks formations in the dessert. I have learnt more about the fascinating place now as I have never seen anything like this before. The size of the rocks is incredible! Thank you for the blog showing your amazing photography
I expected my favorite images to be of the Joshua Trees and there are some nice ones, wel they really are all nice, but the rocks are my favorites. Especially Sisyphus…both for the image and your humor…and, of course, Split Rock. The two parts really look like they should collapse into each other yet stay just the short distance apart. Love the blue line shining through them.
I’ve always wanted to go to Joshua tTree NP but somehow never made it. Your photos have made me certain that I will make a lot more effort into getting there once we can travel again. Gorgeous, the plants, the rock formations, the tree bark…
I’m happy these inspired you, Elizabeth. It is a surprising park- I was prepared for the Joshua Trees but was quite surprised by the many interesting rock formations. Thanks very much for taking a look. 💙🌎
Gorgeous
Thanks so much m Ruth.😊
Beautiful 📸
Thanks very much, Amarjot. 😊
Beautiful rock formations. And I really like the trees as well.
Excellent series, Jane.
Thank you, Rabirius. This park was full of surprises. Glad you enjoyed. 🙂
This great work
Thanks so much, mjacory. 😊
Beautiful photographs ❤️
Thanks so much, Moumita. ❤️
Welcome jane ☺️
Beautifull pictures.
Thanks very much, Divyen. 😊
Wonderful article, thank you for sharing. We will need to put this on our list of things to visit.
Thank you, Wizard.
What a joy to see the gorgeous landscapes of Joshua Tree through your lens, Jane. It is such a unique park, and I really love it there. Seeing the climbing, the vast open sky, the Joshua trees and the landscapes was a true pleasure, thank you. Lovely quotes too. I like to pick a fave, and this time it was two, because they’re all so great I can never pick just one. Sisyphus was such a beautiful celebration of the boulders (great title too); and Shadow and Rock Wall was terrific for capturing the essence of Joshua Tree with the added extra of the cool shadow. Jane, your art is a joy, thank you.
What a lovely visit today. Your photos always make me want to catch the next flight and just be there. One day. Warmest wishes Jane 💕
That makes my day, Andrew. 😊 This park was full of surprises…well, what park isn’t? Thanks for stopping by and let’s keep hoping for even better days to come.
A great album, I really enjoyed all the striking textures you captured. And the “Sisyphus” shot made me smile, but perfect caption – and the rounded rocks in that picture might be knotted muscles.
Thanks, Robert. It was a thrill to visit this park. I love your analysis on Sisyphus….the knotted muscles…perfect! 👏🏻😊
Wonderful Jane.
Thank you so much, Amber. 🤗
Fantastic pics. I never made it to Joshua Tree during my California years. A shame, really!
Thank you so much, MB. It’s a pretty doable destination from LA but the heat is prohibitive which reduces the months you can visit comfortably. Glad you enjoyed these and maybe, someday, you’ll get there. ☺️
I’m glad you got out there – it was well worth the drive, right? I hope you go again and again. It’s such a spectacular place to photograph. And let’s hope CA has a quiet fire season this year. please! #3, the B&W with clouds, is a handsome one. Beautiful silhouettes in #7, fabulous tree bark, too! Framing with the moon, the split rock, the comet – what fun you had. I love seeing the road, too. Have a wonderful week, Jane!
Thank you, Lynn! As you know, it was a treat to photograph. Happy you like what
I found…so many aspects and elements to take in. Such fun to feel some freedom. Wishing you a happy week, too! 😀
In such a spare landscape, it’s surprising how many aspects and elements, as you said, there are to see. Have I told you about, or do you know about Noah Purifoy’s sprawling desert sculpture “garden” nearby? The next time you’re out that way, it’s another wonderful place to really slow down and take everything in – very stimulating – but try for an overcast day or at least avoid the middle of the day because there’s even less shelter there than Joshua Tree, I think. Happy travels!
Now I remember you telling me about it. I will keep that in mind for next time. Thanks!
Great. 🙂
I absolutely looove the close-up of the bark! Stunning. I did a small project on the bark of trees a while back (https://karinelphoto.wordpress.com/portfolio/tree-hugging/). Trees are endlessly fascinating…
Thanks very much, Karine! 🤗
I’ve never heard of this park, but looks fascinating. For me, especially the rock formations. Love the variety you put together. WEll done, Jane!
Thanks, Frank. It’s a favorite park for LA people- easily accessible. The rock formations are intriguing. Glad you enjoyed this mix of photos. 😀
The shape of trees in the pictures are quite interesting.
Aren’t they, William? They are often described as Seussian. I felt like they were going to dance off the landscape. Thanks for stopping by! 😊
Jane. Definitely. These Joshua trees are very special.
These are great… the black and white against the textured clouds brought a gasp!
Hi Ruth, I was so thrilled that there were some clouds when we arrived. I tried to make the most of it. Happy you enjoyed them. Thank you!
Be glad you have these images. The Joshua tree is endangered.
Thanks, David. Sometimes I feel like everything is endangered. Many trees were lost in wildfires, too. 🌎
Great patterns (even trees) and textures!
Thanks, YC. Pleased you enjoyed the mix. So many angles, so little time…😀
Love the px and it is great to know that the F 64 tradition loves.
That’s awesome, Bruce. Thank you. 😊📷
Exquisite
✨🙏🕉🌱🌿🌳🌻💚🕊☯🐉✨
So glad you like these, Graham. Thanks! 🌎🌈😃
✨🙏😌
Even though it looks so otherworldly and stark, this Park is absolutely beautiful! Your stunning images really make me wish I could visit – soon!
Thanks, Dries. The rock formations were so captivating along with the beautiful shapes of the Joshua Trees. Hope you get there sometime! Just not in summer. 😃
Thanks for that tip, Jane!
I just visited this park on my California visit prior to this one. It’s quite an amazing place. Thanks for the re-visit.
janet
That’s great, Janet. Glad you got there! Hope these brought back some good memories. It sure was interesting to photograph. Thank you. 🙂
I will probably never get to see the park. Thanks for the fabulous tour.
Never say never, Janie. 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed these- it was a spectacular day there. Thank you! 🤗
Awsome 😍
Thank you, Freddie! 😍
❤💋
Beautiful photos Jane, which picture was your favorite?
Thank you, Bryce. That’s a good question… I think in this set I’m most pleased with Sisyphus and Joshua Tree and Clouds. However, my process of culling this set was from 400 or so images, so they are all “favorites”.
Jane, they are all quite pretty. I do like the Sisyphus and the Joshua Tree and clouds as well. You do great work!
Thank you! 😊
I loved the first quotation already. This is exactly what I’ve been missing the most. The last day I was somewhere new was October 30th 2020. And then your photos were just wow. All well to you.
Hi Manja, Glad that one spoke to you. It’s been a long year and the taste of freedom in the past few weeks has been sweet. Happy you like this celebration of freedom and our Earth. Thank you and hope you are doing well. 🌎🌈
Fabulous landscape and photos, Jane! Split rock is amazing 🙂 🙂
Thanks, Jo! That was a big surprise to see. There are a number of formations on the park map that have been named. Split, skull etc. Happy you enjoyed these. 🙂🙂
Thanks to let us know Joshua trees ? A wonder. The rocky landscape also is interesting but I am unable to say what rock it is : schist? gneiss? old granit?
Love <
Michel
Hi Michel, The combination of trees and rock formations make for a stunning landscape. I’m glad this piqued your interest. Here’s a link to the geology section of this park. Quite interesting. Thanks for enjoying the photos!
https://www.usgs.gov/science-support/osqi/yes/national-parks/joshua-tree-national-park-geology
Thank you Jane I am happy with your link and now I know thoses rocks are gneiss, a metamorphic rock. ❤
A fascinating place. I learned a bit more about the dessert and the Joshua tree. Thank you!
I’m so glad, Kathy. That’s what I hope for. Thanks very much! 🙂
Sisyphus…caught between a rock and a hard place. What an interesting formation..rounded and smooth.
Exactly, Sharon! 😃 This was a fun find. Thank you!
Beautiful work 💕
Thanks so much, Teshana. 💕
LOVE, love, love these shots, Jane! Such a great NP, I’m so glad JT was set aside forever. I found the geology esp. fascinating. Volcanos and erosion… the story of earth. ❤
Hi Eliza, I’m so glad you’ve been! It is totally fascinating to ponder the geology. The shapes of the rocks, the vast timeline, the clues to the history. Thank you, as always. ❤️🌎
These convoluted rock formations are a photographer’s paradise. I am glad you included a person to reveal the immense size of the rocks, Jane.
Thanks, Peter. That’s nice to read…I have an affection for “tiny humans on the landscape” and here, it seemed imperative to give it some scale. I’m amazed at some of the things people try in these places. Glad you enjoyed this one!
Wow, another fabulous set of photos! I love Sisyphus and the close up of the bark in particular 🙂 Made me realise we didn’t really do this park justice when we visited ages ago. It was very hot and we had a long drive that day so we only did a few very short walks from our car. Another one for the ‘really should go back’ list!
Thanks, Sarah! Happy you like those two studies. Sorry it was a challenging day when you visited…I lucked out with a cool day but can imagine that it would be unbearable in the heat. It’s great that you’ve seen it in person! 😀
Joshua Tree NP is one of my favorite Parks, not just the trees but rock formations as you have captured. And of course, the sunset as I was lucky enough to capture during my visit last year. Thanks, Jane for sharing your excellent work.
I’m so glad you’ve been, Stephen. I can see now why it’s a favorite. I was very surprised by the rock formations and hope to return to really study them. I need to check out your sunset photos. Thanks very much for your reaction to these. 😊
Sunset at Joshua Tree NP that I posted: https://shungphotography.com/2020/01/11/sunset-at-joshua-tree-national-park/
Now I remember this magnificent shot, Stephen. Thanks! 👏🏻
The trees are unique and I like the way you worked with the sculptural qualities of both trees and rocks together. However, I particularly like ‘Sisyphus’ lending an unusual tactile quality to the rocks.
Thanks, Carol. I found the rocks to be as captivating to photograph as the Joshua Trees. Next time, I’d love to explore more abstract images with the rocks – was pleased with Sisyphus. Glad that one caught your eye. 🙂
These are amazing! We’ve had Joshua Tree on our list for a while. These just made us bring it to the top! Thank you!
I’m so glad ArnerAdv! Then my work is complete.😃 It’s well worth the trip…we happened to luck out with cool weather and no crowds. I suspect the heat will be unbearable there soon. Great for hikes, climbing (not for us) and of course, photos! Thanks so much for your comment. 😊
Beautiful gallery…!
Thanks so much, JBD! 😊
FAB, FAB you got what it takes!!
Thank you so much, Paula! This was a fascinating park. 😊
I love how the rock formations tell us stories of old and it makes me think they’ve witnessed us moving about whilst keeping so still…
Well said, Jerry. You can’t help wondering how long some had been teetering on the top or how their shapes changed over time. I think that about trees, too, watching all of us moving around them over the years. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. 😃
This place is so beautiful! And that Joshua tree is something else.. so wonderfully captured.
Thanks, Mary. The trees are Seussian in their shapes looking like they will dance right off the landscape. Happy you enjoyed these images. 🤗
Fabulous pictures Jane. Those rocks look like fun to climb. 😊
Thanks so much, Mike. You see rocks, and think climb! 😀 There were many climbers there giving a much needed perspective to photographing the rocks.
I realy enjoyed these exceptional landscapes !
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photo collection 🙂
Enjoy your sunday,
Rudi
Thank you, Rudi. The desert landscapes are quite fascinating. Hope you’re having a great weekend. 😊
Amazing picture, that’s something wonderful to share. I love your photos so much. Keep up the great work
How nice to read, Yusif. Thank you very much! 😊
Fine set, Jane! Never been with a Joshua tree.. 🙂
Thank you, Harrie. My first time and it was such a surprise, especially the vast amounts of rock formations. Glad you enjoyed these. 😀
Almost cinematic narrative in this
What a great compliment, Chris. Thank you so much.
Oh man!!! I told you I’ve wanted to go there and you just National Geographic-ed me there! I was digging all the pics, the tree bark closeup was unexpected pleasant fantastic surprise! Really liked seeing the park through different perspectives. Thanks!
Hi Guat, Your responses always make me smile! Inspiring is what I hope to do, in both appreciating nature and photography. Very happy you like the different perspectives I found at the park. Thanks so much!
Nature’s wonder. Thanks for sharing such beautiful work.
Thanks, Harpiy. This park really is wondrous. Glad you enjoyed. 😀
great photos, inspiring; I can see why U2 named an album, one of their great ones, after ‘The Joshua Tree’
Thanks, John. I almost quoted them.🙂Glad you enjoyed these- it’s quite an astounding park.
Your set of pictures provides evidence that you value the boulders as much as the Joshua trees for which the park is named. That’s how I felt when we spent one day there in 2016.
Hi Steve, Yes, I agree! The rock formations were almost more surprising than the Joshua Trees. I loved this park. Thanks, and I’m glad you’ve been.
Fantastic, Jane!!!
Thanks, Fabio! It was amazing! 🌎💚