(Map courtesy Google of course)
My itinerary was as follows:A - Started off in Las Vegas
B - Rhyolite, Nevada
C - Death Valley National Park, California
D - Lee Vining, California (Mono Lake)
E - Valley of Fire, Nevada
F - Zion National Park, Utah
My Photography Specific Tips:
Rhyolite, Nevada - Really interesting place to photograph, I was more intreged by some of the junk around the ruins over the ruins themselves, but I may still revisit those pictures.
Death Valley - I happened to stumble across some amazing light mid day at Zabriskie Point it was amazing, not a single shadow, and I think it really allowed for some unique photography. Yes, that's right.. mid day. I visited the dunes for sunrise, and sunset. Personally I was more impressed with sunrise, it was truly amazing actually. The light was great. At sunset, it seemed like your hiking around in 38 degree heat for golden hour - and as it turns out you are.. I'm sure when I go back, I'll do the same, but whatever you do, don't miss sunrise!
Mono Lake - The south Tufa seems to be the best place in the park, by most accounts it's the best place to photograph.