To get the feeling of distance, I hike to the South Rim of the Chisos Mountains and look out over the desert, all the way to the river. Capturing this on film takes patience. You might have to wait for a break in the clouds, for example, so you can give the sky room to work. Otherwise, it's just broad, wide-angle vistas. An agave plant is highlighted against the hills of Big Bend, Texas.
Plants provide another dimension.
The prickly pear, ocotillo and big cane cactus make wonderful close-ups. They exemplify the sharpness and protectiveness of the desert. Some desert plants bloom profusely, and a fragile blossom against the harsh landscape makes an arresting image. In contrast, the limestone of the Santa Elena and Boquillas Canyons has been carved by the Rio Grande. Reflections of canyon walls and fallen rocks in the river make intriguing photographs.