My May 2014 Photo of the Month is The Bullfrog, a sunset image I made in Joshua Tree National Park.
The Bullfrog Background
I hear people say all the time that they have seen everything at Joshua Tree National Park, and I always find this statement confounding. First of all, the park is over 1,200 square miles. In addition, there are so many interesting things hiding in plain sight.
The Bullfrog is one such rock formation. Tucked in between some other rocks that may or may not have names, in one of the busiest areas of the park, this formation is rarely photographed. Does it look like a bullfrog? Perhaps it does. I think it does. That’s one of the great games in Joshua Tree. Look at the rocks, name the rocks, even if somebody has another name for it.
The rock climbers in Joshua Tree have been doing this for decades. It’s fun, it gives you a frame of reference, and there is just something about being an obscure piece of granite and putting it into context. Every time I see The Bullfrog, I can think of it in relation to other rock formations I know and love. Does something call it something else? I have no doubt – and let that person have their fun with it too. I hope this rock formation has a million different names.
I took this image at sunset. The rocks can glow beautifully at the moment of low, narrow, light. There was decent cloud cover that filtered the harshest part of the light, giving a soft glow. I exaggerated some of the edge burning. I wanted the bullfrog to glow and the space around it to be dark. I think this draws you into the image, while still offering minor details to be studied.
Joshua Tree National Park always delivers! I consider it heaven on Earth (when its not too busy!).
As always, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the image.
Further Viewing
Photos of the Month Portfolio Gallery
Exploring Joshua Tree Portfolio Gallery
T.M. Schultze is a San Diego-based photographer, traveller, and writer. He writes, photographs, and draws things of the outdoors that have inspired humans for thousands of years. He co-authored the Photographer’s Guide to Joshua Tree Park which can be purchased here.