phoenix photo dump: chasing light in the desert and finding rattlesnakes
okay, so i'm in phoenix, arizona, and everything is beige and bright. as a freelance photographer, i came for the light, but i didn't expect the light to be this brutal. it's like the sun has a personal vendetta against my sensor. i just checked the weather-okay, it's 24.53 degrees celsius right now, which is about 76 fahrenheit, but it "feels like" 23.9? what does that even mean? my skin says it's dry as desert sand with humidity at 33%. pressure is 1009 hpa, and ground level is 967? i have no idea how that affects my camera, but i feel a little lightheaded, probably from dehydration. temp min was 22.57 last night, so i slept with the AC blasting, and max today is 26.6, which is pleasant if you stay in the shade. but the sun here doesn't play; it's overhead and harsh, making shadows so sharp you could cut yourself.
i've been wandering around downtown, shooting street art in the Roosevelt Row area. someone told me that the murals change monthly, so i was lucky to catch some fresh pieces. i heard from a local barista that the city is trying to crack down on "unauthorized" art, which sucks because it's the soul of the place. for tips, i've been using yelp for food spots-found this taco place that's a hole in the wall but has 4.5 stars on yelp. also, tripadvisor lists some odd attractions like "camelback mountain echo canyon" which is a hike that almost killed me, but the views? worth it. tripadvisor has more, but take reviews with a grain of salt; some people complain about the heat, but duh, it's a desert.
neighbors: if you get bored of phoenix's sprawl, scottsdale is just a 20-minute drive east with fancy shops and golf courses. or head south to tucson for a more laid-back, college-town vibe. both are under an hour away, perfect for a day trip. i heard that flagstaff is where phoenixians go to escape the heat-it's up in the mountains with pine trees and actual seasons. might hit that up next.
for my shoots, i've been using the map below to plan routes. here's where i've been:
the desert botanical garden was a highlight-cacti in bloom under that harsh light. i snapped some close-ups that turned out surprisingly well. check out these images from my recent roll:
i've been reading local forums like phxnewtimes.com for event listings, and azcentral.com for news. also, visitphoenix.com has official tourism info, but it's a bit sterile. my advice: ditch the guidebooks, rent a car, and get lost in the suburbs-you'll find hidden murals and dive bars that don't make it online.
one thing i overheard at a coffee shop: "the best sunrise spot is at papago park, but go early before the tourists." i tried it, and it was magical-the light on the buttes is unreal for photography. also, someone warned me about rattlesnakes on trails, so wear sturdy boots and watch your step.
i'm leaving soon, but phoenix has grown on me. it's not love at first sight-it's a slow burn under that relentless sun. i've got sunburn, a full memory card, and a new appreciation for iced tea. if you come, pack water, sunscreen, and a good camera. the light here is unforgiving but beautiful.
oh, and i almost forgot-the nights are cooler, but long exposure shots are tricky with the city lights. i tried shooting the skyline from tempe town lake, but the wind shook my tripod. still, got some cool reflections. with the ground level pressure at 967 hpa, my camera settings needed adjustment, but i'm no scientist, i just played with the aperture. all in all, a solid trip for the lens and the soul.
i also tried to capture the sunset at south mountain park. the colors are insane-purples, oranges, pinks-but the hike back in the dark was sketchy. my phone died, so i relied on memory and the stars. got some cool long exposures though, with the city lights below. just be careful if you go alone; it's remote. someone said there are coyotes, but i think that's just to scare tourists. still, pack a headlamp and extra water. the desert doesn't forgive, but it's photogenic as hell.
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