Caravan on the Sea of Salt, a photo from Afar, North

Photographer's Note

You might have seen the close up of my camel 揟he Welcoming Committee.� at the salt mine. This is the one of the many lines of camel caravan on the way to the salt mine. They will be loaded up with chunks of salt and begin their days-long journey across the desert to a market town where the slabs are sold to merchants and loaded on to trucks. For centuries the Afar people have mined rich salt deposits left behind from Red Sea floods in the region.

Northern Ethiopia's Afar depression梐lso called the Danakil depression梚s one of the hottest places on Earth. Parts of the region are more than 300 feet below sea level, forming a cauldron where temperatures reach above 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and active volcanoes roil. It was well over 100 degree when we were here. It is not recommended to travel here after March. The ideal time it January and February.

holmertz, ikeharel, Gigidusud, cornejo, worldcitizen, jcpix, nikkitta, abmdsudi, jjcordier, COSTANTINO, CLODO, timecapturer, PaulVDV, Kielia, saxo042, cebe, daddo, delpeoples, Wanda1, mkamionka, ourania, Herquin, ChrisJ, adores, annjackman, Angshu, tatadalou, Didi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

No_One (4) 2014-07-11 10:06

Hi Way
a minimal image but a very strong and equally deceptive one. The land could easily be seen as Ice, the way the sun glints as if Off Ice crystals is beautiful, and upper composition of the train of camels perfectly considered. A place that striking desolation and I place I would live to see.
thanks as always
Noel

holmertz (103564) 2014-07-11 10:09

Hello Way,
Seeing the thumbnail I first thought this was really the sea, but I quickly realized it was quite the contrary. What a strange place this is, so fascinating and terrifying at the same time. The long line of dromedars is absolutely stunning, especially in this age of modern infrastructure. But a long line of trucks along the horizon would never look that beautiful. I like very much the minimalism of this almost monochrome composition and the strangely cold light that makes me think of a northern winter.
Kind regards,
Gert

ikeharel (114499) 2014-07-11 10:17

A most impressive picture, Way, on an unusual location.
DOF and super clear view of the caravan.
The salt blanket over land is an outstanding sight, and well done on photo.
Nice weekend,
Ike

fds (9963) 2014-07-11 10:24

great image from this fantastic desert of salt
great composition with fantastic White tonality
great way lim

Gigidusud (21679) 2014-07-11 10:33

Hello my neighbor today!
Une sc鑞e extraordinaire au milieu du d閟ert. La couleur du sel et la lumi鑢e ferait penser � du froid alors qu'il fait plus de 100 degr閟, incroyable! Impossible pour moi de ne pas penser � ces pauvres animaux. Magnifique photo, j'aime beaucoup!
Merci pour le partage.
Gigi

cornejo (61504) 2014-07-11 10:59

Hello Way, I'm here again after my vacation. This is a great photograph of this super interesting sea salt, beautifully composed and captured this beautiful image with good sharpness, depth, interesting light, color and quality. Excellent and interesting job well done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

Good afternoon and happy weekend.
Warm greetings from southern Spain.
Angel.

EstudioChispa (2182) 2014-07-11 11:19

As always, Way, perfectly envisioned and executed. There is nothing more to say!
Best regards,
Russ
Austin, Texas
La Paz, BCS

worldcitizen (16226) 2014-07-11 11:21

Hello Way,
This minimalist view is wonderful. To me, it looks like the camels have been transported to Antarctica, and are trekking across the ice. It seems like a strange mix of desert animals, and "March of the penguins"! But we do know that this is, in fact, the desert. One where there is no orange sand, only salt. It's beautiful and fascinating.

jcpix (14030) 2014-07-11 12:30

Hi Way,

So sorry to read about the passing of your father, my sincere condolences.

Tough to transition from that, but I'm happy to see you back here once again, and hopeully TE can be a bit of a nice distraction.

A wildly fascinating shot you have here, so little...and yet, so much! Almost completely abstract in nature, but the caravan of camels breaks the "silence" with both subtlety and strength. Now, take cover from the sun. :) Take good care. All the very best.

Friendly wishes,

Jason

pajaran (116971) 2014-07-11 13:35

Pozdrav.
interesantan tekst o rudniku soli sa opisom ...
Lep pogled na karavan i trenutak ...
Dobar trenutak snimka, kontrast i perspektiva, lepo pokazano mesto i trenutak.
Lep Caravan on the Sea of Salt.
Dobar rad, lepo uhvacen trenutak sa kamilama.
Sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Paja.

Greetings.
An interesting article about the salt mine with a description ...
Nice view of the station wagon and moment ...
Good time recording, contrast and perspective, nice place and moment shown.
Beautiful Caravan on the Sea of Salt.
Good work, nice captured moment with Camille.
All the best for the weekend, good luck.
Paja.

dta (98848) 2014-07-11 14:31

Hello Way ,
A quite intriguing thumbnail , and a minimalist shot . fantastic effect of the caravan of camels at the horizon between light blue salt and white sky .
A, amazing capture .

kasianowak (17676) 2014-07-11 14:43

Hi Way
Amazing landscape beautifully presented in this image. Masterpiece of composition with the glistening foreground which looks as if it had been taken out of the Antarctic and the long line of camels which create a strong sense of place to the opposite. Perfect minimalism.
Best wishes
Kasia

nikkitta (17070) 2014-07-11 16:22

Salt and camels in a minimalist composition Way
Like the different and bright shades of blue at the front, like some attractive magical mirror

Very interesting/ informative note
Regards
Maria
Just read what Jason said about your father, if so receive also my condolences, a very sad experience that only time helps to heal

adidas5nb (5743) 2014-07-11 19:01

this is an absolute stunner. i cant even describe how beautiful and engrossing the shot it.love the composition and the light.
regards
dwaipayan

abmdsudi (95869) 2014-07-11 20:08

Sabaidee Way
Your photography is always breathtakingly wonderful, thanks to the interesting narratives and here we have a sort of vast moonscape and so surreal that it doesn抰 seem to be a part of the Earth at all. The caravans of camels & human figs on the horizon put everything into perspective of a journey into another world and time definitely not a place for everybody. This is absolutely amazing, taken from this point of view filled with softness and most delicate colours & hues and full marks to exposure control. Despite its extreme heat and inhospitability, this tells of a 'relaxed' morning. Brill shot, Congrats and TFS
Best regards

jjcordier (79299) 2014-07-11 22:24

Way
Fantastique photo de ce paysage onirique. Magnifique exploitation photographique de cette incroyable caravane et de la mer de sel qui donne presque l'illusion d'une banquise.
Amicalement
JJ

COSTANTINO (117700) 2014-07-11 22:47

Good morningnmy dear friend
original version
minimalistic shot taken in an artistic way
showing on of the many lines of camel
caravan on the way to the salt mine
perfecly executed
have a nice weekedn
Costantino

emka (158710) 2014-07-12 0:04

Hello dear Way, Amazing photo of this caravan. Even in a dune it would be great to see but on the salty surface and with so many camels is awesome. Fantastic shot.

I read what you wrote to Lisa. I am so sorry about your dad. My sincere condolences. I remember all you wrote about your dramatic childhood. Your father had interesting life for sure. Good that after many unsafe years he found calm place and gave you and your brothers and sisters happy life. My parents had also hard life. My father survived three wars.

All the best

MAlgo

CLODO (45118) 2014-07-12 0:06

Hi Way

A minimalist picture but really effective with the small line of camels walking at the horizon on the salted ground.
thank you for making us discover these unusual areas.
Cheers
CLODO

Kamilutka (8107) 2014-07-12 2:09

Hello Way,
superb picture with composition of just few elements yet placed in the frame in very elegant and well planned way. Love the POV you chose and the perspective you achieved as a result.Well photographed structure of the salt which makes the foreground more interesting.
Thanks for sharing and all the best
Regards
Kamila

timecapturer (49288) 2014-07-12 3:05

Hello Way
minimalist magic this. So compelling, simple and irresistible! Love it!

Enjoy your weekend - B.

PaulVDV (63444) 2014-07-12 4:11

Hello Way,
What an amazing landscape! It looks almost extraterrestrial. But then we see the wellknown animals.
A caravan as we know from the stories, all nicely in a row.
Best regards, Paul

wolf38 (30) 2014-07-12 7:21

Hello Way. A very interesting photo with a masterful composition. The depth is replaced here by the different levels. The colors and light are best. Overall a great shot.
Rgds, Wolfgang.

Kielia (24077) 2014-07-12 8:03

Hello Way,
what a spectacular view! You have chosen an excellently working POV to present this desolated piece of nature. And you managed the difficult light conditions very well. The composition is excellent; my compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

siudzi (34141) 2014-07-12 13:24

Hi Way,
Wow! What a superb post in your gallery! Your idea for this image and perfectly selected POV built a fantastic scene. Truly original, creative and unique. Love it! Very well done.

Best,
Gosia

lousat (139926) 2014-07-12 16:04

Hi Way,another time a step ahead! A fantastic scenery caught in a fantastic pic!!Spectacular exposure to take the light reflections on the salt in the best way,impressive detail too on the caravan despite the distance,perfect masterwork!!Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano.

InasiaJones (31566) 2014-07-13 3:31

Hi Way,

Very strong work here, for so many reasons.

First, you caught the head of the caravan, which for me is crucial. Otherwise, it would have been a lousy shot... from your own high standards. You needed that leading man, which makes all the difference in the quality of this meaningful scene.

Then it's this incredible salt texture, looking like an icy surface where snow have hardened on top. The colour atmosphere of this desert appears subdued and crystalline at the same time, an aura that can only be achieved through backlit conditions. You were very lucky to have this overcast sky that was diffusing the light throughout, bouncing back on the ground softly and allowing you to shoot directly in front of the sun.

And of course, the composition is admirable, with the horizon highly perched, and the caravan far away in the distance to increase the feeling of desolation, but still, close enough to distinct their silhouette and not confusing them... with polar bears... :-p))

A very unique and inspired photo from an extraordinary location.

Congratulations!

Andr�

saxo042 (38078) 2014-07-13 7:25

Hi Way,
A very artistic picture with the long line of the caravan against light blue "sea of salt". An interesting note, I think I would like to avoid this place in the future, too hot for me!
Kind regards
Gunnar

cebe (1491) 2014-07-13 8:08

Hello Way,
Absolute great shot! Efficient minimalist composition, nice texture in the foreground, caravan pleasingly placed at the horizon line. Incredible place, plenty of exoticism of course with that salt and the camels.
Warm regards,
Claude

ktanska (45046) 2014-07-13 8:31

Hi Way,
That salt flat looks very pure. like a chalked wall shining on backlight. And that caravan is certainly timeless. Classic minimalistic composition.
Kari

Oceania (5202) 2014-07-14 6:46

Hi Way,

Your pictures always give the dramatic visual impact. This one is no exception. The composition is neat but delivered such artful result. Thanks for sharing.

mesutilgim (0) 2014-07-14 13:02

Hello Way,
Wonderfull scenery perfect captured !
A real masterwork with it's pov, layout and compo.
Nice framed and enriched with interestingg notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

daddo (28748) 2014-07-14 19:37

Beyond incredible. Masterful shot that gives a sense of the enormity of the salt pans due to the tiny figures and the placement of them in the composition. Master stroke. My sincere compliments Way. Klaudio.

delpeoples (60342) 2014-07-15 3:47

Dear Way

Ooh that's warm! Even if I only know centigrade, 100F must be boiling! Here you combine such fascinating and compelling elements: the line of camels and the amazing phenomena of the salt pan. Your composition is superb, creating a very artistic Rule of Thirds composition that seems almost abstract. Stunning perspective and depth, aswell as a compelling graphism. Well done, this is fantastic.

Hugs to you and your family
Lisa
PS: I wrote you a message in the Forum, I hope you got it. I'm thinking of you. Take care, dear friend.

Wanda1 (15142) 2014-07-16 2:40

Hi Way,
I love this idea of the vast inhospitable landscape filling the majority of the frame with its monochrome hues and then the tiny figures of the caravan that punctuate the horizon. It really brings to reality the harsh existence and age old tradition of these people that collect the salt. Great work!
Regards
Wanda

mkamionka (75049) 2014-07-16 7:33

Hi Way,
wow, this is so beautiful. I like such extraordinary landscapes. I admire the depth of the field here from the details of the salt surface in the foreground up to the last camel on the horizon.
Very impressive work! The destination is on my list but also taking into account the safety I will probably never have a chance to go there.
Great to be able to see it in your gallery. Hoping to see more from this trip soon.
M

ourania (51103) 2014-07-17 9:24

Hello Way,
amazing how this hot place looks like a vast area covered in ice. The dual impression given by the gritty texture and the soft, graduating colour is mesmerizing. I like very much how we are enticed to explore this texture from the immediate foreground and how it leads us to a surprising, graphical and vibrant row of camels in the distant background. It's great how you have the camels cross the frame and how any information stops with them. Superb work in capturing and presenting this rare scene, accompanied by an excellent note too. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

Herquin (7789) 2014-07-17 22:58

Bonjour Way,

bonne id閑 d'avoir plac� la file de la caravane de chameaux sur la ligne d'horizon , cela donne une magnifique photo graphique aux lignes 閜ur閑s .

Une superbe prise de vue .

Christian .

ChrisJ (172378) 2014-07-25 6:42

Hello Way,

Fantastic sight of the camels along the horizon in a caravan. The thumbnail does not do this justice. Good sharpness and textural details in the fg salt. I like the minimalist colour & composition. Well framed and composed. Tfs!

adores (46979) 2014-07-27 13:28

Hi Way!
Looks like a mirage! Just wonderful, the line of camels in background, the textures of the salt... A great quality shot!

annjackman (23019) 2014-07-28 22:43

Hello Way,
This is an amazing picture. You have achieved incredible visual impact with a very minimalistic image. I like the horizon is on the 'third' and the way that the camel caravan breaks the horizon. Subtle colours and excellent clarity.
Kind Regards, Ann

jemaflor (148146) 2014-08-28 23:30

Hi Way,
Well taken, interesting depth with this large FG, nice light well managed, impressive caravan in the desert. Tfs.

Angshu (56760) 2014-09-04 22:31

Sabaidie Way
An amazing, unique and inspired picture!
In the thumbnail what looks like a flow of ants, opens up in this picture as a fantastic procxession of camels. I loved the exture and the sheen of the salt in the FG...its difficult to think that this is not hardened ice.

We see the guide in front of the camel train...I read somewhere that they are chosen because of their special ability to read the desert and determine exactly where they are. To be in error by even a few miles can bring certain death in a place where water is measured in drops, and nothing grows for thousands of miles.

Your picture also mirrors the desolation of the desert...

Fantastic!
Best Regards
Angshu

mayjayne (7204) 2014-09-07 2:53

Dear Way Lim,

What a superb shot. A confirmation of 'less is more'. I simply love it.

TFS,
May

tulipan7 (804) 2014-09-14 1:39

Seems so simple and I think that's exactly where the beauty of this photo is... Exquisite!

tatadalou (7459) 2014-10-05 2:20

Hello Way,
This one is so minimalistic, just a line of camels in a white universe. there's a beautiful light on the salt in the foreground. good job.
Regards,
Delphine

Didi (61589) 2015-01-12 16:53

Hi Way
Very nice deep foreground and well framed composition
Hope to see more picture of you in Trekearth
Best wishes for a happy new year 2015

npecanhuk (79329) 2015-01-12 17:08

Hello Way!
Magnificent picture! Superb photo job!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, chosen pov and composition are all oustanding photo qualities that I truly loved!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

taypejka (1689) 2015-01-22 7:22

Hello Way!

Incredible view and great perspective.In addition, very good clarity and sharpness of the photo. I like it a lot.
best regards
emila

Photo Information

Copyright: Way Lim (Waylim) (25436)
Genre: 风景
Medium: 彩色
Date Taken: 2014-03-26
Categories: 日常生活, 自然, Transportation
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): WHITE COLOUR, Favorites - landscape 06, CLODO's selection XVI, Salines, Kasia's Favourites 5 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2014-07-11 9:52
Favorites: 1 [view]