How I enjoy Burning Man

My Burning Man trip - How I enjoy it

As an artist the visual aspect of Burning Man is quite an attraction and a photographer's paradise. The expanse of the desert mountains and the playa dust provide an incredible backdrop for photos. On my first day out I found Helius by New York artist Kate Raudenbush. As the dust began to clear the structure was revealed.

The next sculpture we came across was the Black Rock Lighthouse Service by artists, Jonny and Max Poynton from Oakland, CA. What a perfect piece for this landscape. With the frequent dust storms the notion of a lighthouse jutting out over the sea of playa seems obvious yet an unexpected surprise.

Aside from dust, the other magic ingredient that helps to create stunning photographs is the sun. The vastness of the desert with the only obstructions being the mountain range make for some incredibly beautiful sunsets. Pictured here is the Temple at sunset. The Temple is a rather somber place providing an environment where the community may come to reflect, meditate, memorialize lost loved ones and to freely express their emotions. A way to let go and find closure with the ritualistic burning at the close of the festival. Somehow a sunset (or sunrise) is the only appropriate lighting for this temple of humanity.

These next two are of my favorite "art car" called El Pulpo Mechanico. By day this mechanized octopus rattles along with it's metal exterior made from pots, pans and garbage cans, among other things. By night it's a flaming demon expelling flames from it's tentacles to the beat of techno music. As it ambles along out in the open playa people follow it like fireflies as it gathers more and more attention.

I played with filters to get this hot pink expression of heat and light.

Some of the smaller art installations burn at certain times before the man burns. One evening we saw the flames from way across the playa and rode our bikes towards it. I don't know what it was but it's amazing how it draws a crowd. Must be the caveman inside us all!

In an effort not to invade anyone's privacy I tend to shoot mainly the art. However, people are a fun subject to observe and photograph as well. Once in a while I'll aim the camera out to capture the randomness of public activity. One must be careful not to shoot nudity without consent, though. But inevitably there will be a naked ass or boob in the composition. In fact, it's kind of hard not to there's so many peppered into the landscape. Here is a "sparkle pony" strutting his stuff on a swing.

I hope you have enjoyed my photos and welcome your comments!
Signed,
Girl in the dust.