When you visit a scene that is a photographic icon you don't want to just get the image that everybody gets. Hopefully, you want to get something different. You are a creative photographer and as such you don't just want to copy what has been done before. You want your composition to stand out. You want to include some character. Here is an image of the famous mitten of Monument Valley.

As you can see, the valley (and higher up were most people photograph this place from) has no vegetation other then low shrubbs. After all, this is a desert. So you can include a moon to add a little something. Everyone and their uncle has this image. Now how about looking around. Try to find something different. Find anything that stands out.

          I started walking a bit (to the left). I found something that would really help the composition, add something different and break away from the typical death valley images. What is more, is that it introduces some character into the image. So, here we go:

As you can see the sun in now very low. This dead tree trunk adds so much to this image. As usual, we are not satisfied with just one image. Walk around, attempt another angle, refine the composition, and shoot, shoot, shoot. Shoot difference images:

Never be satisfied with what you see. Always be looking for something different, something that stands out. Do your best to get an image of an iconic place that is as powerful as the iconic images, but that nobody else has.

          Look around, explore.