Sangeeta_Dey_Photography

"Dancing in the Storm"

I was the kind of person who would sit inside the car or in a comfortable restaurant sipping cappuccino while waiting for the storm to subside. After all, I did...
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I was the kind of person who would sit inside the car or in a comfortable restaurant sipping cappuccino while waiting for the storm to subside. After all, I didn't want to get my hair messy or get my shoes dirty. While I have always been an outdoorsy person, the thought of getting inside sand dunes during high winds was like giving a cat a bath.

Therefore, imagine my shock when I was told that we will have to brave high winds inside the dunes of death valley. My first reaction was , "wait, that will ruin my camera ("and my hair", but could not say that loudly)." I forgot that I was complaining to these hardcore world class photographers who live for these storms. In fact, when they heard that high winds are approaching, they were smiling ear to ear, and probably they did not sleep through the night due to the excitement. Well, I could not sleep as well, but that was for a different reason. In the middle of the night, these same high winds sent my tent flying to a nearby bush. That's a story for another day. However, I have to say that stepping inside those intense conditions made me see things in a new light. For almost a month, every moving component of my gear made a "crunchy" noise because of sand particles in it. I still cannot understand how sand managed to get inside the deepest zippered pockets. Nonetheless, the camera worked fine, and now I have a new respect for my Nikon's capacity to handle these stormy conditions. Also, besides my fellow photographers, not having a single soul in the entire desert made me realize how much fun it is to shoot during these conditions when everyone has left. There are some things in life that you can only learn in a storm.
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May, 2016

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Awards

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Contest Finalist in Art in Nature Photo Contest

Peer Award

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Superb Composition

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Top Choice

+34

Absolute Masterpiece

+30

Magnificent Capture

All Star

Outstanding Creativity

Superior Skill

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Behind The Lens

Location

Mesquite Sand Dunes in the Death Valley National Park in California

Time

This was taken on March 21st, between 6 and 7 PM. We were aware that high winds are approaching. We timed it so that we were on the dunes during that time.

Lighting

I have been to Mesquite dunes a few times before, but always under calm conditions. However, stepping inside those intense conditions made me see the dunes in a new light. The sand particles flying off dunes catch the light and reflect them in ways that is not possible to see without the high winds. Also, depending on the direction and the speed of the wind, the light and patterns change by the minute. The whole scene is very dynamic offering multiple opportunities to catch the same scene in different ways.

Equipment

Camera: Nikon D810; Lens: Nikkor 70-200mm; Tripod: Really Right Stuff

Inspiration

Editing

This is a single exposure. As for post processing, I adjusted the highlights, shadows and contrasts. Also, made color adjustments to bring out the mood of the scene as well as highlight the flying sand so as to accentuate the light on it.

In my camera bag

Besides main camera body (D810), I have the holy trinity (Nikkor:14-24; 24-70; and 70-200mm). A polarizer, a few ND filters, remote shutter, spare batteries, and multiple lens cleaners. Also, I always carry a few plastic grocery bags that I use as coverups when changing lenses during precarious conditions so as to minimize damage to the sensor. Finally, my trusted RRS tripod goes everywhere with me.

Feedback

First and foremost, cover yourself in every possible way (use hats, full sleeve shirts, full pants, etc.). Sand gets everywhere and it is not a pleasant experience when sand starts hitting the skin. Before you enter the dunes, change to the lens you will be using. It is very difficult to change the lens when sand is flying everywhere. I recommend a long lens so that you have the capability to zoom in to capture the action in details. It is hard to walk on sand during normal conditions, but during high winds it is even more strenuous because of winds and visibility. Therefore, a long lens might even help you capture a scene faster than it would take you to walk to the scene. Be prepared to be disappointed when seeing photographs at the back of your LCD screens as you are shooting; it is very hard to understand if the photographs you are capturing are properly focussed because of reduced visibility. Finally, make sure all pockets of your camera bags are properly zippered. Trust me, even after all these precautions, you will be find sand in the deepest pockets of your clothes and bags. Most importantly, have fun.

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Sangeeta_Dey_Photography

Sangeeta_Dey_Photography

"Dancing in the Storm"

I was the kind of person who would sit inside the car or in a comfortable restaurant sipping cappuccino while waiting for the storm to subside. After all, I did... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Sangeeta_Dey_Photography

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I was the kind of person who would sit inside the car or in a comfortable restaurant sipping cappuccino while waiting for the storm to subside. After all, I did...
Read more

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