Hall of Horrors

A trip to Joshua Tree is an adventure in itself, but if you plan so that you are shooting Joshua Tree under a full moon, you'll lose yourself in its beauty all over again. See the park's gorgeous, unique characteristics in a completely different light.

Although there may seem to be infinite locations to shoot in Joshua Tree, the Hall of Horrors area under a full moon is particularly remarkable. In order to check out potential shooting locations, arrive right at sunset or before, while there's still light. Bring snacks to pass the time while you're waiting for the full moon to appear, or just start shooting your surroundings – you never know when you're going to capture that award-winning shot! Don't be afraid to venture out and away, beyond the trails, where some of the most unique visuals are waiting to be found.

Once the moon is out, the amount of light it casts onto the park is unreal. Be sure to set up your camera on a tripod. If you don't want any blurred star trails, keep your shutter open for less than 30 seconds. Keep your aperture as large as possible, and generally familiarize yourself with shutter, aperture, and ISO, the three pillars of photography. Keep adjusting your settings if you aren't happy with your results, but also remember to be patient with yourself and your environment.