The greatest lesson that every photographer has to learn is that it is not the camera equipment or the editing that makes the image, but the lighting. And when you are travelling through the Namib Desert, camera in hand, keeping an eye out for that stunning sunset scene or an interesting desert creature, the lighting, and how you plan to work with it, can make or ruin your photo.
Photographing the otherworldly beauty of the Namib comes with plenty of challenges.
The desert’s relentless sun casts harsh light and unforgiving shadows, which forces the photographer to adopt a different approach to the way they take their photos. And for those who rise to the challenge, the rewards are beyond compare.
In this guide, we’re going to help you tame the desert light and bring home the sorts of epic images that will tell the story of the time you spent in one of the most fascinating places on earth.
The Magic of Photographing the Namib Desert
If you purposefully searched for a guide like this one, after researching your Namibia safari, you probably already know just how magical and how special the Namib Desert is for photographers.
This is the sort of fantasy destination that will toss a dazzling array of landscapes at your feet.
In the Sossusvlei, colossal red dunes, some reaching the dizzying heights of skyscrapers, rise majestically from the desert floor. Framing these giants against a dawn sky ablaze with fiery oranges and pinks, with their sculpted curves casting long, dramatic shadows, makes for the most incredible photo.
The Deadvlei, a destination further into the desert is home to scenes of haunting beauty. Here, ancient skeletal trees, bleached white by the relentless sun, stand like silent sentinels against the backdrop of the towering golden dunes. It’s a shuddering reminder of the desert’s unforgiving nature, yet one that begs to be captured through your lens.
And the desert’s magic extends beyond the sand. The Skeleton Coast, aptly named for the shipwrecks that litter its shores, offers a different kind of drama. Imagine the bleached bones of these vessels, consumed by sand and time, whispering tales of lost voyages against a backdrop of crashing waves and endless sky.
And amidst this vastness, with its unyielding dry weather, life persists. While in the desert you must keep your eyes peeled for desert-adapted animals including the majestic oryx with their long, spiralling horns, the graceful springboks leaping across the plains, or even the elusive desert elephants.
Buying New Camera Gear (for New Photographers)
The Namib Desert promises to be a photographic safari unlike any other and to make the most of your trip to this fascinating destination, you need to make sure that you have the right gear.
New photographers who are looking for the right gear for their trip have a much harder time than those who are already experienced and who already have most of their equipment ready to go.
Photography equipment can be unnecessarily complicated and when going through the near endless lists and comparison articles online, especially as a new photographer, all in search of the best camera and lenses, you can get caught up in the process to such an extent that you might end up buying gear that is not exactly suitable.
But don’t worry, for your desert trip, we’re going to simplify things for you.
We understand the excitement of picking up some new gear for a trip like this because we get just as excited when buying new gear to take with us to some amazing new place, and as such we also know the expenses that can be involved. The good news is that Namibia’s magic can be captured without needing the most high-end equipment.
Here’s what truly matters and what you should be buying, as a new photographer:
- A Sturdy Camera Body (DSLR or Mirrorless): You should invest in a reliable camera with a good quality sensor, for processing those finer details. A good camera will ensure that your photos capture the richness of the desert landscape. Canon and Nikon are both excellent makes for newbies, but we’d suggest Canon as they manufacture a more affordable and often higher quality entry level selection of cameras.
- A Wide-Angle Lens (16-35mm or Similar): The Namib’s vastness needs the right lens to capture it in its entirety. A wide-angle lens will help you capture the true scale of the breath taking dunes and panoramas.
- A Sturdy Tripod: For those incredible sunrise and sunset shots, or for capturing the Milky Way at night, a sturdy tripod is essential for crisp long exposures.
- Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: The desert conditions can drain batteries fast, and you’ll likely be snapping away endlessly anyway, which will also devour your battery power while also taking up loads of space on your memory card. Be sure to pack plenty of spare batteries and memory cards to ensure you capture everything on your Namibian adventure.
The Best Photography Gear for the Desert
It all really begins with your camera body. While having the right lens in the desert can be a game changer, it is the camera body and how it processes the reflective light of the desert sands that is important.
If you are buying a camera specifically for your trip, or if you are looking at your current camera’s specs to see if it will be suitable enough for your trip, you need to look for, or have, a camera model with excellent high ISO performance to handle low-light situations like sunrise and sunset. A camera with a terrible ISO performance will leave you with dark and grainy images. You should also opt for a camera with a powerful processor. This will ensure that your images have the best quality. This also means that in even the toughest lighting conditions, your images will retain their detail.
Weather sealing is also a good thing to have because the extra protection from dust and wind, which can be common desert companions, is a must.
Besides the camera body, you will also need one or two good lenses and a filter, if you won’t be doing much editing.
Aside from the camera body, here’s what else you should consider investing in:
- A Telephoto Lens: The Namib isn’t just about landscapes. You might also encounter fascinating wildlife like oryx and desert elephants while on your Namibia safari. A telephoto lens will allow you to zoom in and capture these creatures in stunning detail. A telephoto lens is also a lot more versatile than a fixed lens so, if you opt for a zoom lens with an aperture of around f2, you’ll only need one lens for your trip.
- Neutral Density (ND) Filters: For those long exposure shots that smooth out water flow and create a sense of movement in the clouds, a neutral density (ND) filter is a must-have. It will also help manage the harsh midday light, allowing you to use a slower shutter speed for creative effects without blowing out the image by letting in too much light.
- Circular Polarizer Filter: The desert sun can create a lot of glare, washing out colours and details in your photos. A circular polarizer UV filter cuts through this glare, enhancing the vibrancy of the blue sky and adding depth to your landscapes.
What to Specifically Capture in the Namib Desert
There are so many attractions in the desert and its surroundings to photograph. To help you create a bucket list of must-photograph images, we have a list of the scenes, the wildlife and the experiences that you should try to capture.
- The Ultra Dramatic Sunrises and Sunsets: The desert comes alive as the first rays of dawn paint the dunes in fiery oranges, pinks, and purples while in the late afternoons, the landscape again is set on fire by the stark colours of the setting sun. Such a breathtaking moment can be photographed using a wide-angle lens and a sturdy tripod, which will help you work with long exposures or timelapse images.
- The Textures and Patterns of the Sand Dunes: The Namib’s dunes are more than just sandy landscapes. While exploring the dunes you should look for close-up photographic opportunities that capture the intricate textures and patterns in the sand that have been sculpted by the changing winds. Here you can get creative and experiment with different lighting conditions to highlight the play of light and shadow on the sand.
- The Fascinating Contrasting Scenes of Life and Death: The desert’s harshness is juxtaposed by pockets of unexpected beauty, especially in areas where water is present. As you move through the desert you should be on the lookout for those gorgeous desert flowers that bloom defiantly against the arid backdrop, or the stark silhouette of a dead tree standing sentinel against the dunes. These contrasting scenes offer a powerful narrative about resilience and the circle of life in this desolate place.
- The Wildlife in Their Natural Habitat: Keep your eyes peeled for Namibia’s unique wildlife so that you can capture photos of oryx with their incredible horns, graceful springboks leaping across the plains, or even the famous desert elephants. A telephoto lens will be your best friend here.
- The Milky Way: Due to minimal light pollution, Namibia boasts some of the most incredible night skies. This means you can photograph the Milky Way in all its glory, using a tripod and long exposure settings, to reveal the breath taking full beauty of the stars above the stark desert landscape.
Why Booking Through a Travel Company is the Ideal
While Namibia’s beauty is undeniable, making your way through its vastness and capturing its magic can be challenging, especially if you have limited time. This is where a guided photography tour can be the better option. If you are on the fence about booking a guided Namibia tour for your photographic experience, here are a couple of the benefits you can look forward to:
- In-depth Knowledge: All experienced guides have an intimate understanding of the best locations and know exactly when and where the light will be most spectacular for photography. They’ll take you to hidden gems and secret spots, ensuring you capture the most breathtaking images.
- Permits and Restricted Areas: Access to certain areas may require permits, which a travel company can handle on your behalf. These companies will also ensure that you have the necessary permissions to photograph in restricted areas.
- Expert Guidance: Guides are not just tour leaders; they’re often seasoned photographers themselves. They’ll offer expert advice on camera settings, composition techniques, and navigating the challenges of desert photography, helping you take your skills to the next level.
- Safe and Comfortable Travel: You can fully focus on and enjoy capturing the magic of Namibia while your travel company takes care of the logistics. Your guide will provide safe and comfortable transportation throughout your journey, along with organising comfortable accommodation that allows you to recharge and be ready for the next adventure.