Hey all, we have almost finalized our trip. We are driving from Rockville, Maryland to Memphis, Tennesse. From Memphis to El Reno, Oklahoma. El Reno to Tucumcari and we are staying at the Blue Swallow for a night. Then we will be going to Roswell for a couple hours (my husband is a UFO conspiracy guy), then onto Lincoln and then finally staying in Alamogordo for a night. We will wake up early to see White Sands and then take a nice little (7 hour) drive up to Santa Fe. We are staying for 4 full days at the Inn of the Anasazi, then heading home after.

Okay, now you have my itinerary...I am a professional photographer and I would love to know some really good places around those areas (or on the way to) to get some fantastic shots. I am trying to enter a photo contest and really want to win!!!! Thanks for your help and have a lovely day!

You'll get more responses w/a better topic header. Seems like lots of driving too me. However, you may want to check this out - www.lightningfield.org.

Do you have the "Photographing the Southwest" books by Laurent Martres? There are three volumes, sorted by state, and are available at amazon. My husband (an above-average amateur photographer) swears by them.

SAnParis: Yes, I realised that about the heading after I posted...can I go back and change it? It is a lot of driving, but my husband LOVES to drive. I really don't mind it either as the scenery is constantly changing as well as the lighting...I am more of a spontaneous photographer than one who sits and waits for the perfect shot. Thanks for the link...I will most definitely check it out!

Happytourist: I am going to look into the books, I think they will come in handy. I'm gonna go check out Barnes and Nobles on my lunch break...thank you!!!

Just curious, why El Reno and not Oklahoma City? Live here so not sure what your draw is to El Reno --the prison?

For photo ops in Santa Fe, the Farmer's Market on Sat and Tue, has wonderful opportunities. However, you MUST ask permission to photograph anything there -- people, the vegetable stand, anything. I was with a photo class so they were pretty willing. Same goes for the Palace of the Governors in the plaza area.

Landscape shots were the best at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu. Also, we had permission to shoot the graveyard in Madrid, just outside of Santa Fe. Very interesting spot! The courtyards in Taos make for great photos as well.

Beach Girl: I just picked a random little town on the map that was along our way. We are trying to avoid major cities until we get to New Mexico. We are only staying for a night and probably won't even see much of the area. We are mainly going just for New Mexico.

Thank you SO much for those tips! I did read in one of my books, that at the pueblos, some you can pay a fee to photograph, and some will not even let you. One of the first things I learned in college was that you always ask permission to take a photograph of a person...but I know that New Mexico is a bit different in regards to photography. Thanks for letting me know about asking, sometimes I get so camera happy I get in my own world...now I will have it in the front of my mind at all times!

Well, El Reno is definitely a random small town. Nothing special but easy on/off for I-40 with fast food stops and gas stations.

Hope I wasn't lecturing on photography etiquette - you wouldn't believe how many people just take pictures even when the person is waving "no, no".

Hope you get some great shots!