About bobmadden

A former staff photographer for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Magazine, I now lead photographic workshops to the different cultures I experienced while with NGS. See me at bobmadden.com or natgeophotog.com

Visitation and Fragile Landscapes: The BLM Solution

As a photographer, I am interested in unusual landscapes and recently visited the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, a 280,000-acre property administered by The Bureau of Land Management (BLM). One hot spot for photographers is “The Wave”, a mesmerizing set of sandstone formations in northern Arizona eroded by water and wind.

The Wave

The Wave – North Coyote Butte.
Photo: Bob Madden

The expansion of the Internet has publicized The Wave – specifically thorough the proliferation of images and video available on the web. In addition, an article on the Vermillion Cliffs in the February 2012 issue of the National Geographic Magazine sparked the interest in The Wave and other nearby formations for millions for their readers.

Given this publicity, the challenge is how to keep too many visitors from spoiling the place. Continue reading