Sossuscape, a photo from Hardap, South

Photographer's Note

The red sand dunes of Sossusvlei are some of the oldest and highest in the world, the highest named "Big Daddy" being approximately 325m high

I found that depending on the time of day, intensity and angle of the sun the dunes could appear to be in various colours ranging from beige, to peach, to orange to red.

Surrounded by the tall dunes is a dry pan called the Dead Vlei which many years ago stopped receiving water and everything became parched and dry, now once lush trees stand petrified like sentinels guarding the pan.

geoant68, sevy, sevy, timecapturer, zanzi, Curious_Eye, JimmyPop, Angshu, axiotea, CLODO, Cricri, bebbetto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jimkil (1706) 2011-07-07 22:32

Kia Ora
Looks like a stage scene rather than a photograph ;-), enthralling work, just as good as Andre's shot I have just seen. Top stuff, this country looks pure delight.
Regards
Jim

geoant68 (331) 2011-07-07 22:50

Hi Wanda,
the scenery is really fascinating with the orange backdrop to make it an artistic event here in TE. Excellent presentation with the dead trunks of the trees to are so well presented.

Peter

jjcordier (79299) 2011-07-07 22:53

Wanda
Magnifique photo! Composition, lumi鑢e et couleurs impeccables et beau travail sur les mati鑢es. Du grand art!
Amicalement
JJ

Suppiluliuma (3931) 2011-07-07 23:03

This one is spectacular Dear Wanda. Not only the surprising contrast between the fore and backgrounds, or the orange color of the sanddune, but more than that, the fact that the details of the dune's bushes are so real, so close and 3D, the dead trees in front look somewhat out of reality.

Cheers,

TFS.

Erdem

samson (2250) 2011-07-07 23:05

Hi Wanda

From the thumbnail, I thought this was a night shot of the trees under the stars. When I saw this picture , I was wondering why you did not use a tripod to shoot the stars. Then I read your note

Amazing that sand dunes can be so high. Lovely picture

regards
sam

JFS (32459) 2011-07-07 23:15

Beautiful shot, it seems unreal. Africa offers such an incredible and amazing images! Fantastic composition and light. Thanks Wanda!

andre_clavel (892) 2011-07-07 23:30

bonjour Wanda,
Une image Magnifique !!!!
La perspective et la couleur de la dune en arri鑢e plan, donne une dimension compl鑤ement surr閍liste � l'ensemble, bravo ...
amicalement,
andr�

smarcell (19965) 2011-07-08 0:02

I know that the subject is great by itself, but you have managed to make something special.
Then the soft light of the sunset, I suppose, gives the right touch.
Cheers
Stefano

Bartleby (13552) 2011-07-08 0:44

Hi Wanda,
wow, this is superb! The orange, textured background is a treat to the eyes and those tree make perfect silhouettes. Love it.

Philippe

sevy (58) 2011-07-08 0:58

Hello Wanda,

Very graphic the use of the shadow to put variation in the composition. It allowed to well draw the silhouettes of the dead trees and to underline the orange color of the sand.
I like a lot.

Yves.

BennyV (34772) 2011-07-08 1:21

Hi Wanda,

What a surreal image, the hey sticking out in the dune like scratches, or like distant fireworks. An amazing capture with a superb balance of light. Tops!

Benny

patdeph (35750) 2011-07-08 1:34

hello Wanda
surely the most original picture of these dunes of Namibia,and maybe the most beautiful!I love the way you have framed,impossible to guess that this is dune behind the trees.We could think of a wall,but there is the grasses,like a fine painting ,tones on tones,on the sand.The light could not be more beautiful!Congratulations!
Regards
Pascale

sandpiper (6788) 2011-07-08 1:59

Hi Wanda

Perfect composition and a fantastic shot in general. Great work.

Chris

SnapRJW (31631) 2011-07-08 2:23

Hello Wanda - I love this; the image has a "softness" not normally associated with the location, due, I think, to the fine exposure and light capture. The minute colour and tonal shift detail in the trees is remarkable as is the gradient on the base of the dune. The colours are superb and I congratulate you on a beautiful image. Best regards Rosemary

timecapturer (49288) 2011-07-08 3:19

Hi Wanda
Love this! so evocative and extremely eye-catching. An amazing composition and contrast of textures and detail. Perfect clarity and stunning colours make this a quality image and superb presentation. Well done!

Have a great weekend - Brian

deud (1920) 2011-07-08 6:20

tr鑣 belle photo!

bonne composition, couleurs et ambiance magnifiques.

merci.

Gerrit (62042) 2011-07-08 6:30

Dag Wanda,
wat een mooie foto.
Ik dacht vanuit de thumbnail even dat het een oranje lucht was. Een zeer bijzonder perspectief met die steile oranje zandduin.
Wondermooi.
groet, Gerrit

foibles3 (1479) 2011-07-08 10:31

A truly amazing image! The texture, light, and composition create a very mysterious almost sci-fi look.
Cheers!
David

COSTANTINO (117726) 2011-07-08 10:44

Hello
amazing photo with artistic presentation
nice details very wellcomposed
this scenery is really fascinating
original version,shot welldone and wellseen
regards
Costantino

zanzi (13690) 2011-07-08 11:52

Bonsoir Wanda
A brilliant picture somehow difficult to understand at first sight with this sand in a place where we would expect a sky.
I love it.
Bravo
Chris

tusharkmandal (3173) 2011-07-08 13:23

Hi Wanda,

This pic has a splendid effect. Looks like the pic is inverted but its not. The red soil looks like sky at first. Great capture.

Have Fun
Tushar

chawax (20764) 2011-07-08 14:21

Hi Wanda,
Great shot again ! I love the simplicity and the very good balance of your composition. The contrast between white and orange colours is great. Nice contrast too between the dark atmosphere from the dead trees and the warmer colours on the dune. Namibia really looks a fantastic place for photography !
Regards,
Olivier

Curious_Eye (1320) 2011-07-09 5:32

Hi Wanda,

A work of art. I particularly like the contrast between the foreground and the background; the composition, the colours and sharpness are also great.

Thanks for sharing!
Izabela

PS
Thank you also for reviewing my photo.

Waylim (25436) 2011-07-09 17:01

Hi Wanda, I love your approach here, I guess you do have to post something a bit different from Andre since you both are there at the same time. Otherwise it would look too similar and since the quality of your works are equaly good. While Andre shows the over all essence of the dune including the foreground and sky here you are showing the up close details of the two trees. I like the silhouette like quality to them againt the lightly illuminated sand dune yet they are still some lovely details of hte different bronw shades. Also I appreciate gradual change of shade from the light and the shadow. Beautiful and soft texture yet supper shape and clear in details. My complements. I was planning our next trip, we definately will consider Nabimia after seeing these beautiful shot from both of you.
Way

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2011-07-10 7:31

Hi Wanda.

Wowwwwwwwwwwwww!! My compliments for this picture. The lovely colours of the sand in the background are amazing!!!

Rgs, Oscar

Bournazel (0) 2011-07-11 5:44

bonjou Wanda
this is "the" classic shot of Namibia but always fascinating. I took and previously uploaded some picture of this place too.
You managed the light and the colors very well here gratulations indeed !
greatings from France
Vincent

Nard (6972) 2011-07-12 11:00

Hi Wanda
Waou, what a shot. I'm wondering how you can have a such result. That seems unreal, a picture of a movie, a fire storm. I like the white-grey ground, the dead trees, 2 lost ghost and this orange backgroud which looks like a fire sky with snow. Light, colors, graphical and really well done. Congratulation
Regards
bernard

npecanhuk (79329) 2011-07-12 17:59

Hi Wanda!
Simply perfect!
That place is fantastic and such a great source of subjects for wonderful pictures! However, talented eyes and technical knowledge allow some people to create jewels... that's the case!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

Rafer (0) 2011-07-18 23:08

Exxcelent shot, very nice forms and color..original idea!! Greetings

muratcaloglu (2) 2011-07-21 1:18

it is fabulous. your portfolio make an impression of being in South Africa and taking photo there..
congratulations

JimmyPop (32) 2011-07-21 2:15

Wonderful composition and wonderful subject to shoot! This really is fantastic!

Kind regards,

Jamie

Angshu (56760) 2011-07-24 23:59

Dag dear Wanda!
The compression effect of the zoom makes this a beauty! I have seen lots of pictures of the Nambian dunes, but this is one of the most original I've seen, especially for the effect...the dune & tufts of grass appearing as a vertical wall behind the dead trees. Simply splendid!
Best Regards
Angshu

ManuMay (36447) 2011-07-25 0:03

Hi Wanda!

Amazing view and composition, great colours play and spectacular effect by the dune on the foregroung, very well seen and composed!!

Have a nice day...

Manu

axiotea (21651) 2011-08-09 6:24

Hello Wanda
I had a look at your gallery and I have a soft spot for this beautiful image which gives the impression to be on another planet :o! I love these 2 'sentinels' which stand perfectly out against the warm colour tones. The dry grass is also a nice detail to look!
It goes straight to my fav.
All the best
Marilyn

ravinmb (1303) 2011-08-23 3:06

Hi Wanda,

A very nice image and well composed format. I also love the worm color. Very nicely captured.

TFS & have a wonderful day.
Ravin

elkab (3780) 2011-09-07 7:09

Hi Wanda!
All perfect. Amazing and extremely eye-catching shot. Extraordinary composition and details. Perfect contrast of details, colors, clarity the shot. Well done!
Congratulations
eb

brianmcc (6223) 2011-09-08 11:15

hi wanda,
super composition and lovely orange colour with the sun shining on the sand in the background. looks like a martian landscape.
regards,
brian

i9l2y1m8a8t3 (4814) 2011-11-19 11:15

Greetings Wanda!

WOW! ASTONISHING!! This was on the featured photos in the Home of TE. My goodness, flabbergasted. I thought it was star trails, and I was about to ask you where the heck did you camped in Sossuvlei? WOW! The colors are remarkable, simply amazing! Great image, love the dramatic effect, the illussion and everything else! Great shot!

All the best,
Matt

CLODO (45118) 2011-11-20 0:16

Hi Wanda

I missed it!
I like the soft light which enhances the tones of the sand and the weeds on the slopes. The "silhouettes" of the dead trees are the subject, on the orange background.
Cheers
CLODO

Sorry: no more smileys today!

korbee (6619) 2012-01-03 12:52

Nice to meet you Wanda,your gallery has a lot of veriety and very interesting pictures!
This is a good composition,it the dune in the background is like a sort of sunset.
All the best for you in 2012..

jan

Cricri (176) 2012-01-13 5:56

BOnjour Wanda
Un style de photo qui m'attire, 鏰 semble surnaturel et magnifique par ces couleurs incroyable et sa composition, une image d'une grande beaut�
Belle journ閑
cricri

bebbetto (122) 2012-02-08 5:54

Hello Wanda.
...Only 80 points for this true masterpiece !
Many TE people, are blind ...
Kind regards

Hellas (7123) 2012-05-24 23:15

Εκπληκτική σύνθεση!
Φοβερή αντίθεση των πλάνων, ζεστό χρώμα και αψεγάδιαστη εστίαση!

Πολύ καλή δουλειά, μπράβο!

jga (1062) 2012-06-22 5:11

Hi wanda,
Beatiful photo, we expect the sky to be the background but we finally get finally a warm orange dune with small grasses on it.
I like the details of the trees too.
TFS
Julien

janraiski (558) 2012-06-22 7:08

Hello Wanda,

amazing photo, reminds almost surreal painting. I really like it.

Jan