Over the years, Trona Pinnacles, California, has become one of my favourite places to photograph in the desert. With its wide open spaces, relatively few visitors, unique tufa formations, and ever-changing light, there’s an endless supply of photo opportunities.
I also love flying my drone here to capture views of the pinnacles from above.
For this video, I decided to try something new. I usually let my drone videos stand on their own, simply showing the beauty and grandeur of a place. But this time, I added narration to share more of the story behind the landscape and how I approach photographing it.
This is the first time I’ve narrated one of these videos, and I’d love to know which you prefer — the narrated version or the quiet one. You can watch both versions below.
Trona Pinnacles – Narrated Version
Trona Pinnacles – Relaxing Flyover (no narration)
What are the Trona Pinnacles?
What you’re looking at are tufa formations – columns of calcium carbonate that were formed underwater. Thousands of years ago, this entire area was covered by an ancient lake. These formations built up beneath the surface, layer by layer, over time. When the water eventually disappeared, they were left behind, exposed in the open desert.
It’s one of those places that doesn’t quite make sense at first glance. You don’t expect to find something like this in the middle of such a dry, empty landscape.
Camping at Trona Pinnacles
The pinnacles are managed as public land by the Bureau of Land Management, and camping here is free. You can set up almost anywhere among the formations, which makes it an incredible place to spend a night or two. There are a few basic facilities, including vault toilets, but otherwise it’s very much a bring-your-own-everything kind of place.
A landscape shaped by water – and what came after
The story of this place doesn’t end when the lake disappears. As it evaporated, it left behind a concentration of minerals. Boron, borax… elements that would eventually be mined and used in everything from glass to detergents.
So this landscape is both geological and industrial.
Shaped first by water, and then by what was left behind when the water disappeared.
What stands out most isn’t the science. It’s the silence. A kind of stillness…a spaciousness.
It’s a place where natural history and human use overlap – and you can still feel both.
Why it’s such an incredible photography location
This is one of those places where photography is entirely about light. In the middle of the day, everything can feel flat and harsh. But as the sun gets lower, the shapes come alive. The pinnacles begin to separate from each other. Light defines one edge, shadow defines the other. You get depth, contrast, and direction.
Even something as simple as a foreground plant can add another layer to an image. It helps anchor the scene and lead your eye through it.
As the light drops, the desert softens. What felt stark earlier in the day starts to feel quieter, more balanced. The sky comes alive lighting up with clouds that add drama and depth to the scene.
And then, as the light disappears completely, everything changes again. This is where the pinnacles really stand out as a photography location. Because night photography needs more than just a sky.
A flat landscape doesn’t add much. But the pinnacles create strong foreground shapes that anchor the image and give the sky context.
Out here, far from major city lights, the desert sky gets dark enough to reveal movement, making it an ideal place for photographing star trails.
A night I didn’t expect
This was the first time I attempted to create a moonset timelapse. The moon and Venus descended together, gradually dropping behind the formations.
And then another opportunity presented itself.
A long-time reader of mine mentioned that it might be possible to see a SpaceX launch from this location. Which seemed hard to believe, given how far this is from the coast.
But he shared a website where I could find exact launch times from the Vandenberg Space Force Base. I checked and found one during twilight, a perfect time for photographing something bright in the sky before the contrast becomes too strong for a good exposure. It turned out to be a most memorable night of photography in this location.
Want to learn how to photograph places like this?
If you’re interested in learning how I approach photographing landscapes like this, I go deeper into composition, light, and camera techniques in my Compelling Photograph eBooks.
I’d love to hear what this brought up for you — do you have a favourite location for desert or night photography?
Even a simple “thanks” or “me too” is always appreciated!
Wish your photos had more impact?
If you’re ready to move beyond snapshots and start making photographs that truly stand out, my eBooks The Compelling Photograph (Books 1 & 2) will help you get there.
These eBooks will help you understand the principles of good image design, exploring the elements of design along with creative techniques and composition ideas — all explained with clear lessons and plenty of visual examples, so you can start composing with intention and impact.
Anne, your images are National Geographic material!!!!!! Absolutely gorgeous and love the narrated version.
Sooo glad you were able to share some of God’s creations. Keep up the great work.
Stay safe and enjoy life.
Thank you for the wonderful compliment John! I try my best to see and appreciate the beauty of our natural world every single day. Your visit and comments are much appreciated.
Wow, I guess I should watch more videos. That was great and thanks for the tip of the hat. You also are making me appreciate the use of a drone, one of the few things that is not in my photo bag. Hope you can get back this way soon. Make the world normal again.
I would love to make the world normal again! haha. One day, my friend. The perspective the drone provides is incredible and it was a fantastic way for me to continue doing photography when I was unable to hike. Glad to hear you enjoyed the video and thanks again for the tip about the spaceX launch!
Anne – I LOVED the narrated version. I learned a lot and it definitely added interest. So cool that you caught the Space X launch. Wow. The quiet music-only version I could see looping on a device as I worked or relaxed. It has value. But if it’s one or the other I vote for the narrated version.
Kathy
Hi Kathy, Thank you very much for that. I enjoy videos that have just scenery and music, so I have been thinking that if I continue doing narrated videos, I will offer the quiet ones too for more of a relaxing vibe for people who enjoy that kind of thing. It’s easy enough to do by just turning off the one track. Of course, with this video I did it the other way around and then when I added the narration I had to move some scenes around. But now I know. I’ll make it to match the narration and then turn the narration off for the quiet video. Thank you again for your feedback, much appreciated.
Obrigado Anne. Moro no brasil e é incrível ver paisagens como esta em imagens feitas com maestria. Obrigado
Thank you so much for your kind comments Joao. I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the landscape that is so different from your own in Brazil. I spent some time in the amazon and around Rio about 30 years ago, and I love the lush jungle scenes you have. That was before I became a professional photographer though, so I would love to go back and re-capture some of those places. All of my photos from there are on slide film in my storage room. Thank you very much for your visit and comments!
I’ll google translate for you:
Muito obrigado pelos seus gentis comentários, João. Fico feliz que tenha gostado de ver a paisagem tão diferente da sua no Brasil. Passei um tempo na Amazônia e nos arredores do Rio há uns 30 anos, e adoro as cenas da exuberante selva que vocês têm aí. Mas isso foi antes de eu me tornar fotógrafo profissional, então adoraria voltar e registrar alguns desses lugares novamente. Todas as minhas fotos de lá estão em filme slide guardadas no meu depósito. Muito obrigado pela sua visita e pelos seus comentários!
Like the narration. Have been to Trona a lot for astro photos. Great to get the views from all day.
Hey Marti, Glad you enjoyed it. It’s a fantastic spot for photography, there are often really beautiful sunsets from that location too. Your comments are much appreciated!
Hi Anne, thanks for the interesting video. Like everyone (I think, I did not read them all) I prefer the narrated version. My
English is not fluent (I had to search for the meaning of the word “narrated”) so I could not understand the complete text.
And to be honest, such a video is not my first choice to watch. But that is not your fault, but completely my lack of patience to watch a video like that. I have a different taste, but again: The quality of the video completed with your voice is excellent, but after five minutes I loose my interest.
Kind regards from Holland,
Jaap
Hi Jaap, Thank you so much for your feedback. I really appreciate your taking the time to do that, especially given that you are doing it in a second language. I can certainly understand how the narration might become boring when it is in a second language. Now that I think of it, there may have been an option to offer captions in other languages. I think I skipped over it, but I should have given that more thought. Next time I post one, I’ll see if I can do that. Thanks again for your visit and comments!
Thanks Anne,
I really enjoyed the video and the journey! Wonderful photography as usual. As I left brained person I really enjoy your narration from an ‘artist’s’ perspective. You highlighted more that I would ever pick up on my own. I hope to visit when I go to CA sometime.
Thanks again for the work putting it together.
Sandy
Hi Sandy, Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback. It is a lot of effort, but it makes it all worthwhile when I get such lovely comments. Much appreciated!
I love the narrated version! Bits of geology, history, photography, plus camping info. I’m a passionate birder/amateur naturalist and I’d love to see you enrich your videos and articles with the nature you observe, maybe some tips about macrophotography for the small things. I look forward to camping there once we’re able to travel as far as California.
Thank you very much for your wonderful comments Lorraine. I’m so glad you enjoyed the narrated version, it makes all the extra effort worthwhile! Macrophotography is definitely on my list for future tutorials and videos as well. I appreciate your feedback very much!
I really enjoyed your video with the voice over ! I hope you will consider doing more of these.
Hi Ken, yes I definitely will as the narrated version seems to be the more popular one by a landslide. It takes a lot of work, but it’s well worth it when people find it helpful. Thanks for your visit and comments!
Very beautiful video, Anne.
Definitely, the voice adds and makes it whole.
Thank you very much Mauricio, I appreciate your feedback and glad you enjoyed it.
Beautifully done! Congratulations. The narrative adds a lot to the excellent photography.
Thank you so much Ray, that’s great to hear and I appreciate your taking the time to let me know you enjoyed it.
Beautifully done Anne! Your narrative was really nice and the pacing was just right. The music with it fit nicely with your voice as well.
Hi Mary-Lela, thank you so much for your feedback on the video. I spend a ridiculous amount of time trying to find the perfect music, so I very much appreciate your comment about the music fitting nicely.
Absolutely beautiful Anne … I much preferred the narrated version which was very informative and beautifully narrated. The tone of your voice and tempo was perfect. Very enjoyable, thank you. Nicely done.
Many thanks Dianne, it’s good to know that the pace worked out well and you found it informative. I appreciate your feedback very much!
Wonderful ‘slow paced’ photography and narration. Your hours of getting that script right really paid off. The history and starkness of the place shone through and was enhanced by your excellent soundtrack. Many thanks for a lovely and informative break in my day.
Thank you so much Mike, it takes forever to edit video, so in the past I have been happy when the video and music are done. But it does seem like the narrated version was worth the extra effort. I’m very glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate your feedback.
I like the narrated version, gives background info of the area. Great video Anne, thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much for your feedback Keith, much appreciated!
I very much liked the video. Without the narrative it just … just…wasn’t complete. The narrative added a dimension to beautiful scenes. Your voice is clear and unrushed. Very enjoyable. I did have to go to google to find out more on the tufa and how they formed. Up to 100,000 years old. Amazing.
Hi George, so glad you enjoyed the video. It seems to be the more popular one by far so I guess it was worth putting in the extra effort. Thanks for your comments and I hope you are doing well!
Absolutely Beautiful and Wonderful as always!! Thank You!!!
Glad you enjoyed it Jon, thanks for your visit and comments!
The audio of your description of your video was exquisite! It made me fell like I was right there! Love it!
Helene, thank you so much for the wonderful feedback, I appreciate it.
In a word… EXCELLENT ! …. We camp somewhat close to here a few times, but seeing your video & stills, entices us to check this out. The Space X shot is literally & figuratively; out of this world. I have a new challenge…. A sincere THANK YOU for sharing this with me (us)….
Hi Herb, I’m sure you will love it there, it’s such a unique spot. And yes, the SpaceX launch certainly made it extra special last time. Thanks for your comments, much appreciated!
I personally enjoyed your narrated version. Having never been to this location, I found your informative discussion made my viewing much more rewarding. I obviously could turn off the sound to achieve a silent version. However, the “natural sound of silence” one would experience being there remained unheard and not enjoyed in the way you have experienced. Thank you for going to the trouble to make and share this with us. I actually learned a lot more than just the photographic elements you shared with us.
Hi Rob, thanks for the wonderful feedback on my video, I’m glad you enjoyed the narrated version. It seems to be the winner! I tried to give a bit of history as well as some photography tips. It takes a bit of time, but people seem to like this version more, so I’m planning on doing more of these with my future drone videos. Your comments are much appreciated!
Very well done….enjoyed the commentary, fitting well with the images. I have been in California many, many times but was unfamiliar with the pinnacles. My wife and I will be in Santa Clarita in June and I plan to see them! Similar but much larger than the similar formations at Mono Lake. Near Santa Clarita are unexpected rock formations, The Vasquez Rocks that you are probably familiar with from you visit. Scenic and with a small visitors center.
Hi Bill, Mono Lake is such a cool spot too. We haven’t been to Vasquez Rocks but now it’s on my list for next time we are over that way, thanks for the tip! Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the feedback.
I really appreciated the narrated version as I think it gave more context to what we were seeing.
Hi Clarence, thank you for your comments, people seem to be liking the narrated version the most! Much appreciated.
Hands down, the narrative. This is just beautiful Anne. You have some incredible wall hangers in this program! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Joe, I appreciate your kind words!
I loved the narrative but only wished it would’ve been like right under 10 minutes but on the brighter side one can always fast forward. You have a very soothing voice I could clearly understand everything you were saying. I too am a senior photographer and would love to do something like this with still photos. Thank you so much for sharing
Thanks for the feedback Sandra, much appreciated.
I prefer the un-narrated. I think you said it but in your narration–“what stands out is the silence.”
Thank you John, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!