Martian Landscape
I remember seeing a photo of Deadvlei where the dried bush in the dunes against the off-white clay pan looked like stars against a red sky in a different galaxy...
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I remember seeing a photo of Deadvlei where the dried bush in the dunes against the off-white clay pan looked like stars against a red sky in a different galaxy, and I wanted to go there some day and see the same. This is my version
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You can never go wrong with any photo you click at Deadvlei. You will never get enough of the Mars like landscape at Sossusvlei, driving through the dunes, watching Gemsbok and Ostriches climbing on dunes in the distance is an experience for a lifetime
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You can never go wrong with any photo you click at Deadvlei. You will never get enough of the Mars like landscape at Sossusvlei, driving through the dunes, watching Gemsbok and Ostriches climbing on dunes in the distance is an experience for a lifetime
Read less
Mar, 2021Views
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Awards
Contender in the Photography Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Summer Views Award
Flawless Summer Award
Achievement in Originality
Zenith Award
Top Pick Award
Staff Favorite
Halfway22 Award
Contest Finalist in My Best Capture Photo Contest vol2
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 21
Spring 21 Award
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo at Deadvlei in Namibia. This had been on my bucket list for years, with its surreal landscapes that almost feel like they are from Outer spaceTime
The photo was taken at about 11am, but the events leading up to this were absolutely unlike what you would expect in the Namib desert. My wife and me reached Sossusvlei at about 8 am, and along the way, it was covered in fog, which then gave way to dense clouds and some gloomy weather with rain. We were not prepared for the cold weather as the last 4 days had all been very warm, almost bordering on scorching hot. I had been imagining shooting photos of the Camelthorn trees with their shadows creating patterns on the dunes, which seemed really distant. We kept lurking on the pan, trying out different perspectives and filling my memory cards away, and just then the clouds got a little thin and the sun shone through this blanket of clouds allowing me to add more life to the scenes I had been shooting.Lighting
When the drizzle stopped and the sun started to shine through the clouds, as it was near mid-day, the sun was almost right above, lighting the whole pan, restricting shadows and adding a soft glow to the scene. I went looking for the most perfect setting with no people, and limited shadows and used the light to my advantage to create an Extra-terrestrial landscape version from my perspectiveEquipment
I used a Canon EOS 70D, with EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM. I did not use any other additional equipmentInspiration
I remember seeing a photo of Deadvlei, many years ago, where the dried bush in the dunes against the off-white clay pan looked like stars against a red sky in a different galaxy, and I wanted to go there some day and see the same. I decided to wait as long as it may take, for the sun to come out and light the place up. I had been following the weather forecast on my phone, and it had said the sun would be out by 1 pm, I was lucky, it started to shine earlier, and allowed me to recreate what I believe a Martian landscape would look likeEditing
My post-processing workflow is generally minimal. I shoot all my photos in RAW, and as a wildlife photographer, my post-processing always involves some contrast adjustments, white balance and color corrections, and some sharpening. For this image, I did the same, and a little bit of dodging and burning to bring out exactly what I saw in my head at the time of shooting.In my camera bag
My bag always has a 70-300 f4 lens, which is a versatile focal length, and gives a great bokeh. I also carry a 50mm,f 1.8 which is not only cheap, but also provides such crisp portraits on my crop-sensor. When I am out for wildlife photography, my EF 100-400mm is my favorite lens to use, and more recently for landscape as well. I also have an ultra wide 8mm lens that I sometimes use to create new perspectives. My cameras are usually 2 bodies, one is a Canon EOS 550D, which was the camera I started my photography with, and is almost 12 years old, but works like magic till date, and the other, my primary body, is the Canon EOS 70D. When out in the African bush, My 70D takes the 100-400, and the 550D takes the 70-300mmFeedback
Namib desert is a difficult terrain, and the roads to the destination are dirt roads, with wildlife moving along the roads. Plan a few hours additionally, taking into consideration the probability of delays from flat tires. Also, whatever be the weather, hot or cold, in the desert you will lose water from your body, with all the hiking, so don't forget to keep yourself hydrated. When it comes to technicality, while I do believe in the rules, my advice would be to get creative, get low, and don't hesitate to get a little dirty if you have to. Wait for the light, and wait for people to move. You can't ask people to make way for your photographs, and so patience and waiting for the right opening is all you need to create magic here
