Brad Templeton's Photography
Black Rock City at Night

Black Rock City at Night

Black Rock City shows its true nature as a city at night. For amazing as it is to witness the instant city in the desert by day, at night it lights up beyond any ordinary small town, made more amazing by the fact that it is entirely off the power grid.

Camps light up, sometimes literally like a Christmas tree, since Christmas lights are popular. Art is illuminated -- sometimes the illumination is the art. I attempted a night panorama with only limited success.

Of course, a large part of the light at night is fire. The pyres are few at the start but the night of the burn is an orgy of fire of which the burn is only one part.

BRC also comes alive at night simply because the day is too hot for many activities.

Is Burning Man friendly to morning people? Perhaps not, but at the same time they get to see the city in a mode the night people never see -- lit by the delecate desert sunset light, cool, and relatively quiet and empty.

The moon rises over the Man.
(1280 x 854 - 44K)
The moon rises over the Man.
Another view of the Man at night, with a fire already present at some installation.
(1280 x 854 - 40K)
Another view of the Man at night, with a fire already present at some installation.
Every year, a fabulous Opera is done on a stage constructed specially for it.  The stage is burned during the performance.
(1280 x 854 - 40K)
Every year, a fabulous Opera is done on a stage constructed specially for it. The stage is burned during the performance.
The flying saucer roamed the playa all night.
(1280 x 854 - 78K)
The flying saucer roamed the playa all night.
A close up of the Opera stage burning while performers dance.
(1280 x 854 - 53K)
A close up of the Opera stage burning while performers dance.
The stage in full fire.  Note how Pepe, the designer, arranged to have the flames shoot out the mouths and eyes of his demons.
(683 x 1024 - 35K)
The stage in full fire. Note how Pepe, the designer, arranged to have the flames shoot out the mouths and eyes of his demons.
A poor shot, but all I got, of K. in her glowstick suit.  She had on black clothes and built a network of sticks.  It was cool to see her walk at night.
(683 x 1024 - 31K)
A poor shot, but all I got, of K. in her glowstick suit. She had on black clothes and built a network of sticks. It was cool to see her walk at night.
Another shot of K., in front of ARF's glowing tunnel.
(1280 x 854 - 69K)
Another shot of K., in front of ARF's glowing tunnel.

Burning Man 1999 Index

The Art of Burning Man | Sights | Events and Performance | Miscellaneous
Black Rock City at Night | The Burn

Panoramic Photos for this trip