I am always excited when a photograph perfectly captures the feeling of a place as this image does for me. The lighting on the Badlands at sunrise and sunset could not be better. Strong sidelighting outlines the jagged rock faces and provides the shadowing necessary to mimic three dimensions.

Rarely do all the elements of a scene conspire nicely In an arrangement that places emphasis on key parts of that scene. The peak in side lighting at the top of the frame helps give this image life and drama while a beautiful sky tied it all together harmoniously to show the best of this intricate badlands wall in the moment of rapidly changing conditions.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i, Canon 100-400mm f/4.5/5.6L IS @ 100mm - effective focal length = 160mm, 1/800 sec @f/8, ISO equiv 400, Handheld - image stabilized, Converted to Black & White in Silver Efex Pro