Discovering a Hoodoo Often Mistaken for the Alien Throne
The Valley of Dreams in Ah‑Shi‑Sle‑Pah is a landscape that pulls photographers in with its surreal badlands, delicate hoodoos, and iconic formations like the Alien Throne. Sites like Photographers Trail Notes have helped many of us navigate the maze of ridges and washes to reach these landmarks.
On my first visit, I photographed the real Alien Throne. But on my second trip, while exploring the northeastern side of the eroding hill system, I spotted a hoodoo perched on a narrow spur — one that looked strikingly similar to the Alien Throne at first glance.
After checking my plotted GPS points, I realized this was the same formation that many hikers and even YouTubers had mistaken for the Alien Throne. Jerry Arizona, in his King of Wings / Valley of Dreams (Ah-Shi-Sie-Pah), New Mexico – Trail Guide, even admitted he photographed this hoodoo thinking it was the real thing. That curiosity pushed me to scramble up the shale slope and get a closer look.
Approaching the Hoodoo
This hoodoo sits on a narrow sandstone perch that drops sharply on three sides. Photographing it from below is nearly impossible, so I circled the formation looking for a workable angle.
– South slope: too steep
– North slope: obstructed and cluttered
– East slope: offered a clean angle but lacked foreground interest
– West ridge switchback: revealed the composition I ultimately chose
Photographic Composition Analysis
Low Vantage Point for Monumental Presence
I intentionally shot from a low angle to minimize the horizon line and give the hoodoo a towering, monumental feel. This perspective also emphasized the underside of the capstone — one of the most sculptural aspects of the formation.
Foreground Framing
The stones on either side of the path act as natural framing elements, guiding the viewer’s eye toward the hoodoo.
I chose not to focus stack here:
- The blurred left foreground helps de‑emphasize the soil crust
- The right foreground remains sharp enough to add texture and depth
- The mid‑path stone anchors the composition without competing
This selective focus supports the visual flow toward the hoodoo’s pedestal and capstone.
Subject Placement and Flow
The hoodoo leans slightly forward and to the right, so I placed it off‑center to give it room to “lean into” the frame. The viewer’s eye naturally travels:
foreground → pedestal → capstone → sky
This creates a dynamic Z‑shaped flow that feels intentional and balanced.
Light, Texture, and Color Harmony
The overcast late‑day sky acted as a giant softbox, reducing harsh contrast and allowing the hoodoo’s textures to shine:
- Vertical striations on the pedestal
- Ribbed erosion under the capstone
- Layered sandstone bedding
The palette becomes almost monochromatic — warm browns and grays — with the sky acting as the only cool anchor. This harmony keeps the viewer focused on form rather than color.
Technical Execution
I shot manually, as usual, using the full 15 stops of dynamic range available.
With the sky evenly diffused, a single exposure was enough — no need for bracketing.
- Pattern metering
- Focus peaking
- Hyperfocal distance applied
- 31mm at f/5
- ISO 100
- 1/100 sec
The histogram confirmed I captured the full tonal range without clipping.
Why This Hoodoo Is So Unique
This formation deserves recognition of its own. While it resembles the Alien Throne from certain angles, its structure is fundamentally different:
A Multi‑Columned Pedestal
The base is composed of several fused pillars with vertical striations that resemble curtains or cathedral columns. It feels architectural — more like a natural monument than a throne.
A Thick, Layered Capstone
Unlike the Alien Throne’s smoother, flatter top, this capstone is:
- Thicker
- More irregular
- Layered like a sandstone shield
- Sculpted underneath with erosion channels and folds
The underside looks almost like draped fabric — a geological sculpture frozen in time.
A Forward‑Leaning Posture
The capstone thrusts outward, giving the hoodoo a sense of motion and tension. It feels expressive, almost alive.
This hoodoo may not have an official name, but it should. It’s one of the most compelling formations in the Valley of Dreams — a sentinel standing watch over the badlands.
