Early Morning at Sossusvlei, a photo from Hardap, South

Photographer's Note

The first picture that I ever posted on TE was from Sossusvlei. I have processed another one that I rather like. This is the note I attached to that very first TE post;
'The sand dunes at Sossusvlei are the highest in the world. Namibia is a great African country to visit and I would recommend it to anyone slightly nervous about visiting Africa. The roads are very well maintained even though most are gravel. Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990 after a war. However, the infrastructure built by South Africa has been reasonably well maintained. There are about 3 million people in a vast country and the second least densely populated in the world (according to Wikipedia. Much is desert but is stunningly beautiful with very different rock formations. The sightings of animals are less frequent (except in Etosha) than in typical safari countries because of the harsh conditions but the thrill of coming across them is wonderful. The standard of accommodation can be excellent, whether tented camps, lodges or the hotels/guesthouses in the capital of Windhoek. Anyone interested in star gazing should visit the Sossusvlei area (or indeed other areas of Namibia)as there is no light pollution'.

ktanska, tyro, besnard, ikeharel, gildasjan, cornejo, Royaldevon, pili51, CLODO, adores, delpeoples, dale54, ChrisJ, Graal, Gigidusud oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

willperrett (14215) 2015-09-14 6:31

Hello Ann

Where have you been hiding this little beauty all this time? I love the simple, minimalist geometry of this scene: wonderful framing. It's strange that the sky is so neutral in the early morning, but somehow that adds to the impact of the orange dunes. A stunner.

Kind regards

Will

ktanska (45126) 2015-09-14 6:34

Hi Ann,
Darker exposure is perfect for showing shapes of these dune with contrasty result. And your viewpoint at the top gives the strongest perspective. Interesting to see the wind blowing sand on the top.
Kari

besnard (59196) 2015-09-14 6:42

Bonjour Ann
Une trčs belle photo qui me rappelle d'agréables souvenirs. Je me vois marcher et grimper sur ces dunes, sűrement l'un pari mes nombreux voyages qui m'a le plus plu.
merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

tyro (30513) 2015-09-14 6:48

Crikey, Ann, what have you been doing secreting this stunning image up your sleeve (or on your hard drive) for almost a decade? But perhaps your now greater abilities at processing have allowed you to make the very most of this fine photograph?

The strong contrasts of light and shade and the simple and limited colour palette give fabulous impact to this image as also does the strong composition in which the crests of the dunes snake wonderfully from the nearest foreground to the horizon.

Gorgeous light and colours, perfect exposure and stunning details and sharpness throughout.

An interesting note too - even if it is a copy of one you wrote some years ago!

Stunning!

Kind Regards,

John.

dta (98848) 2015-09-14 6:55

Hello ,
Something different from Sossusvlei : the high POV , the perspective of the sinuous line of dunes crests , the wonderful warm and lateral light , all these elements maake this capture wonderful .
regards

BennyV (34780) 2015-09-14 7:04

Hello Ann

Wow, terrific light, colour and shadow. The curve of the top of the line of dunes is most impressive too. The PP shows (e.g. the sky does not look very natural), but it doesn't decrease the effect of the shot, on the contrary! It adds an other-worldly kind of beauty to the scene. And I absolutley like the result.

Cheers

Benny

lousat (140070) 2015-09-14 8:36

Hi Ann,a pic that reminds me the moroccan desert of Merzouge,i sleep in a tent to start my day very early to see the spectacle of sunrise lights on the dunes.And your shot is truly fantastic,great perspective and very bright colors,i like it!! Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano

gildasjan (43826) 2015-09-14 9:46

Bonsoir Ann
Le jeu de lumičre est sublime avec ces ombres denses.La petite partie de ciel dans cette composition avec cette variation de luminosité crée le bon contraste des couleurs.C'est du trčs bon job photographique.
J'aime beaucoup.
Bonne soirée
Amicalement
Gildas

cornejo (61504) 2015-09-14 11:00

Hi Ann, excellent photography of this pretty and interesting composition with beautiful dunes, beautifully captured in this beautiful image with good sharpness, depth, beautiful light, color and quality. Excellent and interesting work well done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

Good evening and happy week.
Best wishes from the south of Spain.
Angel.

Tue (93592) 2015-09-14 11:46

Hello Ann,
What a fantastic photo! The reddish colour of the sand is beautiful and I love the contrast with the very dark shadows. The top of the dunes meanders so beautifully through the centre of the photo. The pattern of the small rocks is great too and almost adds the impression that this photo was taken on Mars.
Lars

Royaldevon (86564) 2015-09-14 12:10

Hello Ann,

You have closeted this for quite a number of years! Did you forget about it? Whatever, I'm pleased that you have shared it now, for it is a stunning photograph from Namibia. The light and the shadows reveal the steep, undulating nature of the dunes, almost like a wave travelling across the sea.
What a contrast is visible in the very pale, grey sky.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

Silvio1953 (223103) 2015-09-14 13:15

Ciao Ann, fascinating desert view, fantastic light and wonderful warm colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

holmertz (103732) 2015-09-14 13:25

Hello Ann,
i had to check up that first photo of yours to see if my memory was correct, and it was. I remember that photo well, and I notice I gave you the second two points smiley you received here. I was thinking already then that you seemed to be a talented photographer ;-).
I liked that photo partly because you had placed two persons perfectly on the dune, but I would say this one is artistically even better. I am amazed that you have kept it away for so long. The curves of the dunes and the play of light and shaded areas is stunning. And no matter how much I usually appreciate to see people in photos I am relieved that there are no brightly dressed women walking across the dune for the pleasure of the tourists. This is pure natural beauty and it doesn't need anything else.
Kind regards,
Gert

Periko (9107) 2015-09-14 13:54

Hello Ann
I don't know why, but I love deserts, so I like this photo. Beautiful shades and curves as well as a balanced exposure.

tfs
Pedro

PiotrF (56188) 2015-09-14 15:08

Hello Ann,
Beautiful desert landscape. Very good light, nice composition.I like the strong contrasts of light and shadows.
Excellent work.
Regards
Piotr

macjake (98544) 2015-09-14 15:44

Hi Ann
easy to see why you'd want to post a photo from here!
you could have even left the sky OUT of the frame, just focusing in on the dunes, the shapes, the shadows, the patterns, the contrasts...its a beauty!

if you have any more, i'd say keep posting them!
well presented
cheers
craig

emka (158962) 2015-09-14 23:39

Hello Ann, I thought that you went to namibia, but it is an archive picture. Marvelous view of the dunes in Sossusvlei. The early morning walk is an unforgettable experience. Amazing colours and shapes. Fabulous composition.
What a pity that Rosemary left the side, jher pictures specially from the dunes were also spectacular.

Warm regard s Malgo

dkmurphys (79209) 2015-09-15 0:12

Hi Ann,
Maybe one of the best captures from that desert. Spectacular and amazing, lovely image.

Daniel

jjcordier (79299) 2015-09-15 0:26

Ann
Somptueuse photo de ces dunes namibiennes. La cręte des dunes sert d'ossature ŕ l'image et les couleurs chaudes sont splendides.
Amicalement
JJ

mauro61 (53429) 2015-09-15 0:50

ciao Ann,
fantastica immagine ottimo l'effetto della luce e delle ombre su queste dune,
saluti
Maurizio

CLODO (45118) 2015-09-15 2:10

Hi Ann

taken in 2006 and published in 2015! It took you ages to decide to post it, and I don't understand why, but I am pleased because I was not part of TE in 2006!
Superb curves enhanced by the lateral sunlight, many ochre hues and we can discover the wind blowing at the highest dune .
hats off and congratulations
CLODO

rasterman (479) 2015-09-16 0:45

Hello Ann,

Nice photo with beautiful warm colors.
Good composition, lighting and contrast.
I love the texture and shadows and bright areas of the sand. A fantastic job as always.
TFS

John

federico (6109) 2015-09-17 14:37

hello Ann wonderfull lights and shadows, great tone, perfect composition, definitely a really well done image from the desert
regards
Fred

jemaflor (148368) 2015-09-17 23:36

Hi Ann,
great photo, wonderful landscape, well captured with this contrast of light, pleasant warm tones, tfs.

i9l2y1m8a8t3 (4814) 2015-09-18 11:04

O my goodness. Speechless, envy and simply in awe. The colours are definitely stunning, plus the curvy lines and the great contrasts between the 2 colours. Thanks for sharing this one, it's as if I with you (there) already. Someday, I shall set foot into this majestic earth. TFS, Ann

Best regards

batalay (41261) 2015-09-19 19:36

Hello Ann,

Such a pristine scene, one shot by a Rover on the surface of Mars. The edges are so sharp, so well delineated.

Have a good Sunday,

Bulent

carlo62 (81265) 2015-09-29 15:46

Ciao Ann
i colori di questa terra sono fantastici, ma in questa foto hai giocato perfettamente con luci e ombre, ottenendo un risultato magnifico e di grande effetto visivo.
Saluti
Carlo

adores (46979) 2015-09-30 16:22

Hi Ann!
One day, I'll go there:)!The desert is always so magical and mysterious, I've seen several already and I never get tired. This photo is great, the light and shadows, the textures, the shape of the dunes... really great!

delpeoples (60342) 2015-10-01 4:30

Dear Ann

A superb photo, a piece of art and gorgeous play of light and shade. The textures are stunning and I love the tight framing. What a wonderful place Namibia is, and how lucky you are to see it.

Warmest wishes
Lisa

mesutilgim (0) 2015-10-11 11:04

Hello Ann,
A topclass "masterpiece" in your gallery.
Very nice graphical effect. Nice framed.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

ChrisJ (172442) 2015-10-13 15:26

Hello Ann

Wow! Makes me want to hop on a plane for Namibia! I like the wind blowing the sand at the top and the high contrast. Good color, sharpness and saturation. The red orange dune contrasts well with the grey blue sky. Tfs.

Cricri (176) 2015-10-15 21:56

Hi Ann
Quelle beauté! le jeu ombre, les formes des dunes, vraiment une merveilleuse image
belle journée
cricri

Graal (103040) 2015-10-24 10:55

Hello Ann,
view of dune is beautiful. I like the game of light with shadows. Good pov also. Nice warm light and hue.
Have a nice evening.
Aleksander

Matyas (0) 2015-10-29 1:14

Hello Ann! Amazing cosmic landscape. Wonderful light and shadow. Excellent brightness and colours. Good contrast and sharpness. Very good cut and frame. Well done!

Gigidusud (21679) 2015-11-01 9:40

Hello Ann,
Beautiful capture of this sand dune the light is fantastic and the graphic is great. I love it!
Best regards.
Gigi

mkamionka (75255) 2015-11-02 6:50

Hi Ann,
this is spectacular. I love deserts. I had he pleasure to live in California for a couple of years and since then deserts are my favourite type of landscape. My dream is exactly to visit Namibia, Australia or Northern Chile/Bolivia. This picture explains why. This is just so beautiful! I like colors, and shapes. I know however how difficult it is to capture. As you say, early morning or late evening) may be the best. The patterns are fresh not damaged by people and there are no other tourists around...
Great POV here, you have thought it through very well -the dunes make fantastic complicated curve and the shadows make it feel three dimensional.
Excellent work!
M

npecanhuk (79329) 2015-11-02 7:00

Hi Ann!
Very interesting and beautiful picture, though a bit menace-looking!
Special regards to the colors, exposure and composition!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

claudeD (47754) 2015-11-12 10:38

Hello Ann,

wow! what a wonderful composition to show us this typical view from Namibia.Excellent light management and perfect sharpness. I like the shot very much.Very well done.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

JC