Photographing the Big Bend

The dramatic landscapes, diverse wildlife, historical sites, and dark skies are just some of reasons the Big Bend Region is a photographer’s dream.

The towering Chihuahuan Desert mountains make for dramatic landscapes and highlight the stark beauty of our high desert. That landscape changes with every passing hour as it is bathed in sun’s rays. Sunrises and sunsets in Big Bend are legendary. As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky explodes in fiery oranges, deep purples, and cotton candy pinks. Photographers love the “golden hour” as light paints the desert in a warm glow.

Don’t be fooled into thinking the magic only happens at sunrise and sunset. The midday sun, while harsh, can be used creatively to create stark, high-contrast images. Look for opportunities to use shadows to frame your subject or create a sense of mystery. And all this is before celestial wonders of the night sky come to life once darkness sets in here the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve.

For astrophotographers, the night sky is their canvas, and few places offer a more inspiring backdrop than the heart of the Big Bend Region, which boasts some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 states. The night sky explodes with a million glittering stars, the Milky Way stretches across the heavens, while distant galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters become visible to the naked eye. This pristine darkness allows your camera to capture the faintest details of these celestial objects, translating into breathtaking astrophotographs.

The Milky Way season, typically from spring to fall, is a prime time for astrophotographers in Alpine. Using a wide-angle lens and a sturdy tripod, you can capture the Milky Way’s majestic band stretching across the sky. Experiment with different exposures to capture the vibrant colors and dust lanes within our galaxy. Here are some tips to plan your astrophotography adventure in Alpine:

  • Research moon phases: For the best views of faint objects, schedule your trip around the new moon when the night sky is darkest.
  • Find a dark location: While most of Alpine offers exceptional darkness, venture slightly outside town for even darker skies.
  • Public lands like Davis Mountain State Park offer fantastic opportunities.

Capturing photos of Alpine can win you cash prizes and get your work featured in a Visit Alpine advertising campaign! The annual Visit Alpine Photo Contest brings photographers of all levels to capture the unique spirit of our lovely little town. The winning images often portray not just the physical beauty of the Big Bend, but also the emotions it evokes – a sense of adventure, tranquility, or the unique rhythm of life in this special corner of Texas.

Free to enter and open to the public the contest open each summer and closes September 30th with all entries being submitted via the Visit Alpine website. This insures that all photos are judged anonymously and names are only revealed to the judge after prizes are awarded.

You can find a complete list of all the rules and take a look at all the past winners and entries here Alpine Photo Contest.

Win or lose you can be sure that by entering your photos in the Visit Alpine Annual Photo Contest they will be seen and enjoyed by people who love Alpine. We feature photos from the contest everyday on our social media channels https://www.instagram.com/visitalpinetx/ https://www.facebook.com/visitalpinetx.

COMING SOON is the Visit Alpine Photo Contest Gallery!
Featuring each of our 13 H.L. Kokernot Junior Memorial Award First Prize Winners and some of our favorites these photos will be on display at our Alpine Visitor Center located at 106 N 3rd Street. The Alpine Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm and Saturday from 9am-Noon.