Selected Burning Man Panoramas

VR Tour

I have been shooting Panoramas of Burning Man since 1998. Here is a selection of a variety of different types. Each year the favourite is still usually the giant one of all Black Rock City, shot from some tower near the center. However, all 11 of those are not included here, to instead present more variety. Go to the appropriate page for each year (there's an index at the top of each page) to peruse each city in detail. You can also check out my page of best selected panoramas from around the world. Donors to BRAF may purchase large prints of these photos. I keep several on my walls, and an 20 foot long one wrapped around my staircase. Every time I go up the stairs I imagine myself in Black Rock City.

These are in reverse chronological order. My favourite though, is still the large panorama of 2002.

2011

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City viewed from Temple at Night

From the temple in 2011 at night.

2010

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Full Circle around Man, from the edge

The conclave performs before the burn, 360 view from edge of circle.

2009

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Central Playa with ring of art cars around Man, on fire.

The man burning, viewed from the Esplanade

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From the Temple at night

The playa from the Temple

2008

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The Temple on Fire in 360 degrees

This is a 360 degree shot while the Temple is burning in 2008. It shows the city in a circle around the temple, and since I'm somewhat deep in the crowd, you also see the crowd behind me and their faces as they watch the burn. Some are crying, some are slack-jawed. You can also see that it's the coldest night we had on the playa.

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Black Rock City 2008 from tower of Babel Sunday Morning

Sunrise after the burn from the Tower of Babel, an 11 storey steel tower in the deep playa in 2008.

2007

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Remnant of intense rainbow

2007 featured a huge double rainbow. Expecting rain, I was not ready to shoot a panorama but I did catch the end of the rainbow from the top of the RV. I like the great clarity of the light, and the weather, and everybody being out watching.

2006

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Burn Circle from boomlift as Man bursts into flames

In 2006 I was in a cherry picker for the burn, to capture it all.

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BRC, detailes from 5 and Esplanade, Friday afternoon

Another of the giant panoramas with a different perspective, at about 5 o'clock.

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Fire Conclave dances around the Man, from boomlift

Before the burn, the fire conclave spins fire all around the man.

2005

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Sunset over Center Camp Super Tall

Wide angle shot from a boomlift high above center camp in 2005

2004

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Detail view of whole city from cherry picker

While 10am was a lousy time to shoot -- poor light, few people out -- this boomlift perspective allowed me to sit exactly in the weighted center of the city to capture its shape in an understandable way.

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Temple of Stars

This was perhaps the grandest of the temples, and it deserved a large panorama.

2003

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Burning Man 03 from Embassy

This shot, from our own camp at 7, used the latest Canon 1ds, creating one of the most detailed shots I ever made. It centers on the playa, rather than the city.

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City at night, from the Man

This year featured a man platform stable enough to capture a night shot from the Man, with the cars around it. The man glowed enough to light the area around him.

2002

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Friday afternoon, storm approaches, from keyhole

2002 was my first year with digital, but a great tower in center camp and some great luck with interesting weather produced one that is still my favourite today.

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BRC at night, from Keyhole

That same fine tower afforded the first chance at a good night panorama. Burning Man must be seen at night to be fully appreciated.

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Inside center camp cafe, as people juggle

An effort to capture the bustle of the cafe with many moving people.

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Group prepares for Critical Tits

In 2002, Critical Tits was smaller and the Man made a good panorama platform for it.

2000

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First Camp

There was no tower in 2000, so I shot from the viewing platform of First Camp in sunset.

1999

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NO CAPTION

This wide angle shows the smaller city of 1999, with the last of the old center camp cafes.

1998

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Detailed view of 1998 from Refinery

While not up to my current quality technically, this was my first ever giant panorama of my first Burning Man, so it keeps a place in the heart.