2026 Badlands National Park Photo Adventure

Camera: Sony A7R IV, Lens: Sony 12-24mm f/2.8

Settings: 1/6 second, f/9, ISO 100

Filters: Haida M15 Filter System with Haida ND Grad Filter(s)

On Saturday, May 23, I set out on our annual Four Elements Photo Adventures trip to Badlands National Park in South Dakota with fellow instructor Mike Murray. There’s nothing quite like hitting the road at 3:00 AM and shortly after seeing your GPS display, “Take Exit 110 for SD-240 in 621 miles.”

Camera: Sony A7R IV, Lens: Sony 12-24mm f/2.8

Settings: 2.5 seconds, f/9, ISO 400

Filters: Haida M15 Filter System with Haida ND Grad Filter(s)

We arrived a couple of days early to scout the area and look for new locations to share with our group. Not only did we find several new areas, but the weather also cooperated throughout the week. We spent much of our time photographing the cracked mud found in several locations throughout the park.

Camera: Sony A7R IV, Lens: Sony 12-24mm f/2.8

Settings: 0.4 seconds, f/9, ISO 100

Filters: Haida M15 Filter System with Haida ND Grad Filter(s)

The cracked mud at Badlands National Park is mostly made of clay-rich sediment, including mudstone, claystone, shale, and siltstone. These cracks form because the Badlands contain swelling clays. When the clay gets wet, it expands. When it dries out, it shrinks and splits apart. Some of these clays came from volcanic ash that weathered into clay minerals. The park’s rock layers also include sandstone, volcanic ash, and ancient floodplain deposits.

Camera: Sony A7R IV, Lens: Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7

Settings: 1/80 second, f/9, ISO 100

Filters: Haida M15 Filter System with Haida ND Grad Filter(s) and Circular Polarizer

The colors and textures were phenomenal. On several days, the scenery seemed to come to life. Sunrise brought beautiful color most mornings, even if only for a short time. Sunset gave us one truly spectacular evening and another where the golden hour simply glowed. Even the moon illuminated the landscape for us, making it feel like we were standing on some distant planet.

Camera: Sony A7R IV, Lens: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8

Settings: 1/80 second, f/9, ISO 64

Filters: Haida M15 Filter System with Haida ND Grad Filter(s) and Circular Polarizer

Camera: Sony A7R IV, Lens: Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7

Settings: 1/640 second, f/5.6, ISO 800

Camera: Sony A7R IV, Lens: Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7

Settings: 1/640 second, f/5.6, ISO 800

Photo courtesy of Mike Murray, North Sand Photography.

All in all, it was an amazing week. We are already looking forward to returning and, with a little luck, capturing one or two passing storms next time.