I’d been Insta-fluenced. Or YouTu-couraged? Either way, by February, 2024 an old Canon AE-1 was in my possession. Film photography was my new creative outlet. IPhone pictures wouldn’t be enough anymore.
My hope was it would be a road trip companion. The camera could be an extra layer of skill, without that pesky technology getting in the way.
An initial drive to Goldfield and Tonopah produced mixed results. The AE-1’s automatic settings helped greatly.
By March, I was eager to try again. This time it was a solo road trip to Death Valley. Recent rains had produced a massive lake in the basin, Lake Manly.
I’d been to Death Valley before. This, however, was a race. I timed my departure from Las Vegas to capture sunset in the park. Quickly, I learned the patience required for these excursions. Focus on the goal. Don’t get distracted by every potential picture you pass.
About three hours later, I drifted down into the park. It was extremely windy. A storm was blowing in.
There is almost no cell phone service in Death Valley. Aside from earlier trips and glances at maps online beforehand, I didn’t really know where to go.
Soon, I realized others were doing the same thing. Searching for Lake Manly. I followed them.
In the growing shade and sinking sun, the lake began to appear. I knew sunset was near, so I pulled over at the first possible stop. The pictures were terrible. I battled the wind and time and both won.
A mile or so south, I found a more ideal location. The road to Devil’s Golf Course. It was closed, but walkable. I gathered the AE-1 and a Nikon N50 given to me by my stepfather and began strolling in the dirty wind towards the lake.
Mountains behind the lake west of the valley were beginning to hide the sun. I worried this long drive would be worthless. Others were passing me, heading back to their cars.
I began to snap pictures with both cameras. Luckily, the Nikon had a zoom lens. However, it was a challenge to hold still in the wind.
About a mile from the main road, I reached Lake Manly. It was shallow. People were walking in the salty water to Insta-fluence others. Spray was kicked up onto the road as it disappeared into the unusual sea.
I tried to capture what I could. The setting was so unusual. This is what I got.
Weeks later, the lake was gone. Death Valley’s oasis evaporated back to the desert it’s more accustomed to.
If nothing else, I ____-fluenced myself to take more trips. More pictures. More adventures. More stories.
