- Check the Weather and Scout Ahead of Time<\/a><\/li>
- Avoid Midday Shoots<\/a><\/li>
- Pack the Right Gear & Equipment<\/a><\/li>
- Stack Composition Tools<\/a><\/li>
- Take a Panoramic Shot<\/a><\/li>
- Use Flash (not always, but try it)<\/a><\/li>
- Capture Sunset Silhouettes<\/a><\/li>
- Catch the Stars<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Desert Photography Tip 1: Check the Weather and Scout Ahead of Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It goes without saying, when you plan to spend time in the desert, keeping yourself safe will require a bit of due diligence. In fact, you\u2019ll notice the safety theme recurs often throughout the tips below. One of the first ways to stay safe during your desert photography session is to check the weather in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early on in the planning portion of your desert photography shoot, check the forecasted conditions for the time and location of your session. I can tell you up front that you\u2019ll probably want to plan your trip sometime in the spring or fall, when the weather is cooler. Even then, you\u2019ll need to make preparations to stay safe, but it\u2019s a good place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Desert Photography Ideas: Location Scouting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"desert](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/desert-photography-tips-lin-and-jirsa-composition.jpg\")
Photo by Lin & Jirsa Photography<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n Regardless of whether you plan to shoot during the day or at night, make sure to show up early and scout the location. This will help you in two ways. First, for safety reasons, you can familiarize yourself with the terrain and decide on where you\u2019ll shoot. Secondly, scouting locations in advance will help you plan out some of your shots and craft more creative, compelling compositions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Desert Photography Ideas, Tip 2. Avoid Midday Shoots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"desert](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/desert-photography-pexels-tom\u00c3\u00a1\u00c5\u00a1-mal\u00c3\u00adk.jpg\")
Photo by Tom\u00e1\u0161 Mal\u00edk<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve dialed in a date and location, check for the hottest times of the day and try to shoot around those times (not through them). While you can shoot at all hours of the day, I recommend avoiding midday shoots in the desert whenever possible. Aside from the challenges of shooting during the hottest hours, the lighting is also less interesting with fewer shadows on the ground. Moreover, deserts are known for epic, colorful sunrises and sunsets, so why not take full advantage of what the location has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip 3. Pack the Right Gear & Equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The desert can test the ruggedness of both you and your gear, so pack accordingly. Here\u2019s a quick look at some of the recommended gear and equipment to take along on your desert photography session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Desert Photography Ideas: Camera Gear<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to the camera gear you\u2019ll want to take into the desert, aim for weather-resistant gear that also enhances your photography, and always place a strong emphasis on keeping your gear clean. The desert is rife with elements that would hope to destroy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lenses<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
- Wide-Angle and Telephoto Lenses (with Lens Hoods):<\/strong> Like camera bodies, lens choice remains fairly wide open when capturing photos in the desert. Because the desert provides such a vast open space, for example, a telephoto lens often works perfectly well for capturing wide shots. Whatever you can safely carry without causing too much strain, take it along. Try to use lens hoods for whichever lenses you choose as well to minimize glare from the desert sun.<\/li>
- UV Filters:<\/strong> In order to better protect your sensor from the bright light and your glass from the sand, it\u2019s a good idea to place UV filters<\/a> on your lenses.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Accessories<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
- Towel:<\/strong> Depending on when you schedule your shoot, you may spend a bit of time shooting under direct sunlight. You can help avoid overheating your gear by taking along a small towel that you can place over the camera to protect it from the sun.<\/li>
- Tripod:<\/strong> Tripods<\/a> come in handy for a wide variety of situations, and they\u2019re great to keep on hand for desert photography shoots for extra stability when needed (such as shooting under the starry night sky). If you plan to walk a great distance, you\u2019ll have to consider the weight of everything you carry, including your tripod. At the very least, ensure the tripod is rated for more than the amount of weight in gear you plan to place on it, and get one that is also compact for packing.<\/li>
- Cable Release:<\/strong> Along with a tripod, a cable release<\/a> will help you further stabilize your desert photography shots and avoid blur caused by shaky hands, especially when shooting at night or with a slow shutter speed.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Lighting<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
- Flashes & Light Stands:<\/strong> If you plan to incorporate flash as one of your desert photography ideas, you\u2019ll obviously need to take along flashes. If you\u2019re trying to overpower the sun, you\u2019re going to need more powerful flashes, like a couple of Profoto B10<\/a> or Flashpoint eVOLV 200<\/a> flashes, or anything with 200-500 watt seconds of power and a small, portable build.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
General Desert Equipment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The most important equipment you can take into the desert is that which helps you keep you safe…and alive. Here are some recommendations for general desert comfort and possible survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Water:<\/strong> Try to take at least two liters of water on foot and somewhere in the neighborhood of five gallons to keep in your car or tent. In case anything goes wrong and you find yourself stranded for some time, you don\u2019t want to run out of water.<\/li>
- Sun Blockers:<\/strong> Minimize direct contact between the sun and your skin. To help avoid getting sunburned, wear the following:\n
- \n
- Sunscreen<\/li>\n
- A wide-brimmed hat<\/li>\n
- Long sleeves<\/li>\n
- Pants<\/li>\n
- Hiking Boots<\/li>\n
- Sunglasses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>
- GPS:<\/strong> Depending on the remoteness of your location, your phone may not get reception, in which case it will not allow you to call out or map your location. GPS devices can help in these instances and track your movement so that you\u2019re able to retrace your steps and leave the same way you came.<\/li>
- Light:<\/strong> Taking along a light source like a flashlight or headlamp<\/a> will help you in a couple ways. First, you can use these light sources to safely navigate the desert floor should you get caught away from your car or tent after dark. These lights can also be used creatively for night photography shots, which we\u2019ll cover in more detail below.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bonus Tip:<\/strong> Always make sure that somebody knows where you\u2019re going and when you expect to be back. This holds true regardless of whether you plan to go alone or with friends. Share these details with somebody who will not be joining you on the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Desert Photography Tip 4. Stack Composition Tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Among the other desert photography ideas on this list, this one holds true for most genres, including portrait and landscape photography. Your images will almost always benefit from what I like to call compositional stacking. This approach calls for combining compositional elements like leading lines and patterns, for example, to add depth and visual interest to your photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Brenizer-Method-Panoramic-Stitching-wide-angle-pano-stitch-strobe-1a.jpg\")
Photo by SLR Lounge (featuring symmetry, shallow depth of field, rule of thirds, lighting, and other compositional techniques)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n Many desert locations lean more to the desolate side of the spectrum in terms of objects in the scene, which makes it harder to focus on a particular subject within the frame. While this becomes less of an issue if you take someone or something along to photograph, you can combine these tools to more easily identify an existing subject and take better desert photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Size & Space<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
- Subjects for Scale:<\/strong> One common factor deserts share, whether they be hot, semi-arid, coastal or cold, is that they consist of large open spaces. In order to give the viewer a better sense of the grand scale of the scene, include a subject (ideally another person or your vehicle) in the frame. If you\u2019re there alone and can trigger the shutter remotely, make it an epic selfie!<\/li>
- Negative Space:<\/strong> Similar to the tip above, take advantage of the negative space in the wide open desert environment to draw focus to your subject.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Balance<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
- Rule of Thirds:<\/strong> Just about everyone knows the rule of thirds. In case you\u2019re absolutely brand new to photography, the rule of thirds calls for dividing the frame up into thirds, both vertically and horizontally. The subject in the frame is then placed on one of the dividing lines, preferably with the desired focal point (such as a person\u2019s head) placed on one of the intersecting points of the vertical and horizontal thirds. It\u2019s true that it is widely used, but for good reason. Even if you\u2019re short on subjects, place the horizon on the upper or lower third and automatically make the image better than it would\u2019ve otherwise been.<\/li>
- Symmetry:<\/strong> Look for symmetry in the scene to help balance your image and create a more striking composition.<\/li>
- Patterns and Textures:<\/strong> Even the plainest deserts tend to offer up plenty of patterns and textures in the rocks and sand, not to mention any of the local plants. One thing you can do to capture more striking patterns and textures in the sand is to shoot perpendicular to the sun. The dramatic interplay of shadows and light that results from shooting this way will help you capture more interesting photos and add depth to the objects in your scene.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Depth and Direction<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
- Leading Lines:<\/strong> Some desert locations, like sandy dunes or dry lake beds, often feature naturally occurring lines that you can use to add visual interest to your photos and lead to a particular subject.<\/li>
- Foreground & Perspective:<\/strong> Try to avoid always going with the simple point-and-shoot approach in which you simply walk up to a scene and shoot it just as you\u2019re seeing it while standing there. Doing this for a couple of quick shots of an epic scene like the Grand Canyon might work, but the use of foreground elements and unique perspectives in the frame can go a long way.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tip 5. Take a Panoramic Shot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Windmills](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Brenizer-method-creative-techniques-panoramic-stitch-final.jpg\")
Photo by SLR Lounge<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n Given the vast expanse of space present in deserts, you might wonder why anyone would need to take a panoramic image as part of their desert photography portfolio. By using the Brenizer Method to capture a scene in the desert, you can take your wide angle portraits to the next level. Ryan Brenizer\u2019s panorama technique allows photographers to create an impossibly shallow depth of feel in wide angle photos that truly adds a surreal feel to portraits. Read our write-up on panoramic stitching<\/a> to learn more about how to use the Brenizer Method in your desert photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Desert Photography Ideas, Tip 6. Use Flash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not suggesting you always do this, but incorporating flash as one of your desert photography ideas can open up a ton of creative possibilities. In the video above from Adorama TV, for example, Daniel Norton uses flash and a softbox to enhance a series of portraits he captures on a dry lake bed in Boulder City, Nevada. A portable lighting setup and a bit of creative application will allow you to create studio-style portraits on the go, even in the middle of nowhere.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/div>Portraits in the Desert: Onset ep. 102<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Portraits](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/v_VYY6dX3oM\/0.jpg\")
![\"desert](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/sunset-silhouette-desert-photography-tips-pexels-pixabay.jpg\")
![\"desert](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/desert-photography-tips-milky-way-stars-night-sky.jpg\")
- Foreground & Perspective:<\/strong> Try to avoid always going with the simple point-and-shoot approach in which you simply walk up to a scene and shoot it just as you\u2019re seeing it while standing there. Doing this for a couple of quick shots of an epic scene like the Grand Canyon might work, but the use of foreground elements and unique perspectives in the frame can go a long way.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Symmetry:<\/strong> Look for symmetry in the scene to help balance your image and create a more striking composition.<\/li>
- Negative Space:<\/strong> Similar to the tip above, take advantage of the negative space in the wide open desert environment to draw focus to your subject.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Light:<\/strong> Taking along a light source like a flashlight or headlamp<\/a> will help you in a couple ways. First, you can use these light sources to safely navigate the desert floor should you get caught away from your car or tent after dark. These lights can also be used creatively for night photography shots, which we\u2019ll cover in more detail below.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Sun Blockers:<\/strong> Minimize direct contact between the sun and your skin. To help avoid getting sunburned, wear the following:\n
- Water:<\/strong> Try to take at least two liters of water on foot and somewhere in the neighborhood of five gallons to keep in your car or tent. In case anything goes wrong and you find yourself stranded for some time, you don\u2019t want to run out of water.<\/li>
- Tripod:<\/strong> Tripods<\/a> come in handy for a wide variety of situations, and they\u2019re great to keep on hand for desert photography shoots for extra stability when needed (such as shooting under the starry night sky). If you plan to walk a great distance, you\u2019ll have to consider the weight of everything you carry, including your tripod. At the very least, ensure the tripod is rated for more than the amount of weight in gear you plan to place on it, and get one that is also compact for packing.<\/li>
- UV Filters:<\/strong> In order to better protect your sensor from the bright light and your glass from the sand, it\u2019s a good idea to place UV filters<\/a> on your lenses.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Avoid Midday Shoots<\/a><\/li>