Desert Sunset
Evening view over the Nambung National Park in Western Australia. Somehow a random branch has found itself in the midst of the desolate landscape....
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Evening view over the Nambung National Park in Western Australia. Somehow a random branch has found itself in the midst of the desolate landscape.
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Jan, 2015Views
4109
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Awards
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Landscapes In Black And White Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Creative Travels Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Shadows In Nature Photo Contest
Featured
Contest Finalist in Sun Flares Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Shadows Photo Contest by Focal Press
Curator's Choice
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
All Star
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
Genius
Emotions
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Platinum
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sbastienlopezmassoni
July 06, 2015
superb composition , this phototure have got a really personal style.
Platinum
Platinum
coops82
March 21, 2016
Love it ! I wouldn't have thought it would come up so good in black and white !
Platinum
Platinum
michaeltillman
December 18, 2016
I must say, "this is an excellent shot." The depth and texture is fantastic.
PRO+
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
The photograph was taken deep within the Nambung National Park, about a 2 hour drive north of Perth in Western Australia. Within the national park are large areas of white sand desert, which is where this image was taken.Time
As can be seen from the photograph, the sun was low in the sky and the shadows across the sand dune desert were growing longer by the minute. This was one of the last shots of the day, late in the evening, before making my way back across the desert to my car. I actually loved the dead branch so much, I carried it, together with all my photography equipment, across some pretty exhausting desert and back to my car, and then home. The branch now resides in my back garden.Lighting
It was a frenzied time as the light was changing by the minute and I would reposition myself and the camera to try and capture as much of the mood as I could. I also managed to take some beautiful yet softer colour shots during this time.Equipment
The shot was taken using my tried, 'tired' and trusted Canon 1Ds Mark II. The camera being about ten years old now gets me thinking about upgrading, but that is another story. The lens was a canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8l II USM and the tripod supporting the shot was literally millimetres from the desert floor, while I was pretty much laying down while composing.Inspiration
The Nambung National Park is magnificent - for me anyway. It is well known for the Pinnacles Desert which resides within it - a large area with some mysterious weathered rocks, which are most likely the result of fossilised trees. I could be wrong. Anyway, along the road to get to the Pinnacles are mountains of sand amongst the bush land. I will often drive north from Perth and explore these random deserts with perfect white sand. For this shot, I found myself on the far side of the desert, perhaps the furthest I have ventured and looking around I could see that I had perhaps been the only visitor for years - perhaps ever to this spot. If I had fallen, would I ever be found? These were the kinds of thoughts which came to mind, followed by the question "How can I show this in a photo? How can I make that art?". Then I noticed a random branch in the middle of the empty wondrous space. The sun was setting - it just all came together. How could I not get this shot?Editing
Photographing into the sun, as all photographers know isn't easy. I bracketed the shot and managed to capture everything without falling back on HDR processing. I converted to black and white and sculpted the contrast, that was about all I needed to do, to bring this image to life.In my camera bag
I always take a spare battery; so many times I have been caught out with dead batteries at critical moments. I mostly use one lens, my 16 - 35mm wide angle, but depending on where I am going, I may take a telephoto, just in case. I am yet to capture any quality shots of emu's in the desert, but I now take the telephoto as it is impossible to get up close to them, they are just too fast - if they spot you. Should I mention the circular polarizer? If you are taking landscapes, it is a must in my opinion.Feedback
Always be clear to yourself what it is about the scene you are investigating that you would like to capture. Then make sure you do your best to capture that and only that. Everything else is interference and will distract from the final image. During processing, remember what that something was and be faithful to bringing it forward. Be bold. Saying that, there is no formula, just pay attention and enjoy.
