Death Valley, California, USA.

Death Valley in California’s Mojave desert is a place of extremes. Some of its natural statistics are mind boggling. It is home to the point of lowest elevation in North America at 86 meters (282 feet) below sea level. From this lowest point it is strangely enough only 135 kilometers (85 miles) to the highest point in the contiguous United States; Mount Whitney with an elevation of 4,400 meters (14,500 feet). Death Valley also holds the record of the highest reported temperature in the world; 56.7 °C (134 °F).

Death Valley received its name by prospectors trying to cross this valley during the California Gold Rush. It was considered as a harsh and inhospitable place. On the other hand, Timbisha is the Native American tribe that has lived in the Death Valley region for over a thousand years. They know this place like no other.

I wanted to visualize a softer, more inviting side of Death Valley National Park. I photographed ‘Land of Timbisha’ at first light. The first rays of sunlight cast beautiful shadows over these golden dunes. It is a sight that won’t last longer than an hour.