Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park

The Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park can be accessed by car, but for this particular shot, I reached this location via a private helicopter. While we flew over the basin in the helicopter, we picked the location where we wanted to land and then I walked to where I took this shot. The basin is 5-miles in total surface area and I stood at (36.2331, -116.8380), but if you don't have access to a helicopter, you can get the same view from (36.231836, -116.798823), which is about 1/4 mile from the main visiting area. Park in the lot (36.229873, -116.767280) and then follow the signs that lead to the Badwater Basin. According to the National Park website, "Badwater Basin is located 30 minutes south of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Most visitors will choose to drive to Badwater, view or hike on the salt flat, and then return north on Badwater Road the way they drove in. This would require the minimum time of one hour. If you are interested in hiking longer, just add the amount of time you would like to spend on the salt flat". For more information, check out their website: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/visit-badwater-basin.htm

The Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park can be accessed in the winter, fall and spring months. In the summer, the land will be too hot to walk on.

Though the light was harsh in midmorning when I shot this photo, I was able to successfully capture a few pretty landscape shots and the shadows actually helped bring out the cracks in the salt flats. Ideally you could visit earlier in the morning or into the evening, to get some softer light.

Emphasize the geography of the crystalized salt by getting low to the ground. From a lower angle, you'll be able to see the detailing in the basin's cracks, which should be a main focal point in the shot.

Bring along a model and have them stand in the center of your photo. The basin is expansive, so having a person in the shot will draw the eye to the center of the photo.

Try using a wide-angle lens here to maximize the landscape you fit into your frame. If your lens is too zoomed, it'll compress your photo and you won't be able to see as much of the land.

Explore the rest of Death Valley National Park. A few spots to check out include: Aguereberry Point, Telescope Peak or Tucki Mountain.