Stark Beauty, a photo from Hardap, South

Photographer's Note

Think of Namibia and, for most people, the stark landscape of Deadvlei pops into their minds. Much photographed, this austere landscape never ceases to amaze and enthrall. Deadvlei means dead marsh or lake; the cracked pan floor indicates that water once filled this shallow indentation and at that time there would have been a small camel-thorn forest. Today all that remains are the dried out skeletons of 600 year old trees.

Here is a larger version

This photograph is copyright of Rosemary Walden - © Rosemary Walden 2013. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of the image in any form is prohibited. You may not, except with my express written permission, copy, reproduce, download, distribute or exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system

snunney, ikeharel, goodwill, Cricri, Romano46, bayno, ourania, frunchy, delpeoples, jcpix, annjackman, jjcordier, bukitgolfb301, marabu61, krzychu30, macjake, macondo, Angshu, adores, CLODO ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

snunney (130967) 2013-08-23 8:51

Hello Rosemary,
A landscape composition with a strong element of graphism accentuated by the saturated colours. Superb colour contrasts and clarity. The depth is quite amazing.

alive (1362) 2013-08-23 8:52

Olá Rosemary!
A photo with great composition.
Good and beautiful colors.
Good clearness.
A picture with great depth.
Congratulations.
Luis (Portugal)

No_One (4) 2013-08-23 9:13

hi Rosemary,
I have learned a lot from your gallery of thsi stunning country, and to me this has become the scene that will always make think Namibia. Beautiful in its arid glory, and the dead trees look fantastic contrasted against eh bright sand. Wonderful vision. Someday I will see this in person!
All the best
Noel

jurek1951 (42198) 2013-08-23 9:39

Hi,
What a excellent landscape photography.
Excellent composition and point of view.
Great color and details.
Georg

goodwill (4274) 2013-08-23 9:42

Hi Rosemary,
The beauty lies in the fact that the skeletons still attract the admirers, though they are 600 years old.
Thats the power of your notes which makes me speechless and exclaim in wonder the brazen landscape.
In the absence of water bodies, this wood must be brittle and highly inflammable.
Aperture of 18....was is too bright?
Anxious to know.

Regards,

Rajeev

jemaflor (146412) 2013-08-23 9:49

Hi Rosemary,
Always an interesting and original landscape, well taken, good colors and light capture, good effect with the curve of the died branche.

Romano46 (18472) 2013-08-23 9:56

Ciao Rosemary
ancora un paesaggio incantato della Namibia con le sue tinte forti e i contrasti di luci estremi che a me piacciono immensamente.
In queste tue foto la natura appare in tutta la sua magnificenza e la tua tecnica di ripresa valorizzata dall'uso appropriato di un grandangolo e di un punto di ripresa molto basso la esalta al massimo.
Il tutto senza trascurare una nitidezza di tutto rispetto.
Sei sempre bravissima.
Ciao e buon fine settimana
Romano

Cricri (176) 2013-08-23 9:58

Hi Rosemary
Un paysage extraordinaire, sec, chaud, splendide a voir, pour sa composition incroyable et ces couleurs magnifiques, le ciel s'ajoute a la beauté du paysage, j'aime beaucoup
Belle soirée
cricri

Raz13 (137) 2013-08-23 10:02

Hi Rosemary,
You've impressed me with yet another photo.
A superb composition with live vibrant colours.
This is Excellent!!!

Raz

bayno (18348) 2013-08-23 10:03

Hello Rosemary,
I saw the wide version and the details are magnificent, I do not understand why we can not post here directly a wide version, maybe in September, I hope the staff will do something, I think this was the only site where we see these photo thumbnails 800 px your shot is beautiful, looks like a lunar landscape, wonderful colors and a well composed image...
warmn regards,
Valter

Royaldevon (85678) 2013-08-23 10:34

Hello Rosemary,

This does look an austere place but, nevertheless, a very attractively photographable place. You have composed it extremely well, the deadpan, edged with the red and orange sand dunes, occupying 2/3rds, whilst the sky completes the picture.
The ancient tree skeletons in the f/g are strongly placed and certainly impact as the focal image. The appear like lithe gymnasts, performing a routine, which must have been continuing for nearly 600 years! The other tree skeletons make a good diagonal link into the m/g.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

AROBN54 (11475) 2013-08-23 10:37

Simply incredible, Rosemary!
Just stunning colors, light, contrasts, depth... Those stark, tree skeletons give a surreal look to the whole scene and contrast beautifully with the lighter colored sands along with the blue of the sky and white clouds. Very simple and yet so - totally amazing. You do a grand job of showing what beauty can be found there. Many thanks and kindest wishes,
Shelly

EstudioChispa (2182) 2013-08-23 10:52

Stunning image, Rosemary -- both as a documentary shot and as art. The color composition here is very instructive, layered from the pale ground through the red hills to the great blue sky. By keeping the clouds in only half of the frame (they never do what I say! What is your secret?) you have balanced the greater distance of the horizon on the right as compared to the nearer hills on the left. And of course, that bent branch reaching into the FG really grabs the viewer and brings him/her into the scene!

As usual, thanks for the lessons!

Russ
Austin, Texas

Glint (6171) 2013-08-23 11:50

Hello Rosemar,
sometimes you see a photo and say out loud WOW! This is a beauty. The contrasts are compelling. It's spareness appealing. Top class.
Bev

holmertz (102096) 2013-08-23 11:59

Hello Rosemary,
Salvador Dali would have loved this scenery, I am sure. It reminds me very much of a surrealist paining. It's truly fascinating and you have captured it from a very good POV and with superb light and colours.
Kind regards,
Gert

yquem46 (38752) 2013-08-23 12:14

Hi rosemary
Strong colors and contrast, well in adequation with the reality of this landscape
Splendidly done, have a nice evening
patrick

ourania (51103) 2013-08-23 12:33

Hello Rosemary,
this scenery is unique and always mesmerising and I like how your picture is not a mere depiction of it but a creative and artistic approach that has used its characteristic in a very stylish way. The placement of the trees and the dynamism of your point of view and composition makes them look like modern ballet dancers in a dramatic and captivating choreography. The colours are stark too, each colour having almost no variations but wonderful richness and vividness. The juxtaposition of the tense trees to the fleeting clouds is very interesting too. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great weekend,
Ourania

frunchy (1800) 2013-08-23 12:57

Hello Rosemary,

the foremost branch of this Image looks like... i can't describe it, but it caught my Attention.

Magnificient clear sky and Colors. An ideal Scene to use the polarizer.

TFS, F.

carlo62 (81265) 2013-08-23 15:23

Ciao Rosemary
una foto magnifica, i colori sono splendidi e ben suddivisi nella composizione.
Ottima la profondità.
Ogni tanto si vedono foto di questo paesaggio molto particolare, ce ne sono di bellissime e questa ne fa sicuramente parte.
Saluti
Carlo

delpeoples (60342) 2013-08-23 19:47

Dear Rosemary

I couldn't resist this one, particularly with 3 hours to kill between flights at Abu Dhabi Airport ;) with 23 hours of flying and a 3 hour bus ride from Dublin to Tyrone I can't guarantee ill be back on TE before you leave.

The photo is stunning, on a par with your Paternoster series, which is among my favourites of your extensive and beautiful gallery. The stark colours, amazing natural sculptures and textures are a real feast for these tired eyes. Top shot, there's not much more I can say, and certainly nothing I could say to improve it.

Happy holidays and who knows if we'll catch up in Eire, hopefully! I'll be on email.

Hugs
Lisa

jcpix (14030) 2013-08-23 21:44

Hi Rosemary,

This is fantastic! We've seen many a picture of this landscape, all of which are beautiful, but this one for me stands out. I don't recall seeing one previously that featured a tree in the foreground with such a pronounced curved "arm." This composition and perspective really feels to place me on location, as if I'm standing there taking the picture myself...and I wish I were! :) Such fascinating terrain, looks very "dreamscape" and surreal. The colors are amazing, especially set under the blue sky. A really intriguing image. Thanks for sharing this view. Have a great weekend. Take care.

Friendly regards,

Jason

annjackman (23019) 2013-08-23 22:59

Hello Rosemary,
When we were were in this area we did not actually get to Deadvlei because the itenerary for the group did not include it. I remember being very disappointed at the time. Your photo is framed in way that shows very well both a close-up view of the old trees and the vast desert landscape. A very unique and beautiful place which is well described by the title. Gorgeous clarity and colours but then we wouldn't get anything less from you!
Best wishes, Ann

jjcordier (79299) 2013-08-23 23:04

Rosemary
Ta série de photos de Namibie est excellente. Cette photo est très belle, bien composée, lumineuse et avec de belles couleurs saturées.
Amicalement
JJ

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2013-08-24 1:30

Hello dear Rosemary

Welcome back to your country. Very impressive and breathtaking landscape image at all, well representing deserted abut also fantatsic attraciveness. Panfocus appraoch has established so clear and sharp image as such, Wonderful image at all!

Thanks a lot and have a good day! Takero

willperrett (14195) 2013-08-24 3:42

Hello Rosemary
Simple, dramatic and empty landscape. I love your low viewpoint, which really makes the most of the dead tree in the foreground. Good stuff.
Regards
Will

rigoletto (34279) 2013-08-24 4:03

as a traveller, i've so far been a fan of europe, enjoying africa only from other's photos. but seeing tanzania and morocco in last 4 months changed many things. the variety of the african climate and landscapes, its untouched wildlife, warmth of its people, admiring the documentary-shown places with my own eyes just made me go wild about africa. this famous place, i've seen many times from your (or some other photog's) lenses, but i can feel the excitement of seeing this place with my own eyes. the colors, shapes and clear light are all just great.

williewhistler (16606) 2013-08-24 4:19

Hello Rosemary,
you have made super use of the wide angle lens to compose a lovely shot with the dead trees giving so much depth and interest to the shot.
I do enjoy the trademark saturated colouring and pin sharp details.
Have a great weekend,,
Les.

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2013-08-24 4:33

hi, a nice composition here. Like the warmth of the atmosphere and the rich colours a lot. The branches of the tree in foreground nicely enhanced the depth of it. A superb landscape indeed. Tfs.
S

HimalAnda (10671) 2013-08-24 5:13

Hello Rosemary,

This is a place I hope I will see before the end of my life! It's so beautiful...
The colors are wonderful, the composition is good (even if I think it would have been better if the tree on the left was not cropped) and the sharpness is excellent.
A very nice picture!

Stéphane

marabu61 (11587) 2013-08-24 5:26

Hello Rosemary
Oh yes, this scene just cries out Namibia in all senses. To me it, as a lover of desert landscapes this ticks all the boxes.
The wide open landscape, the gorgeous african sky above, the lovely sand dunes and the remains of the dead trees, it all add up to a fantastic composition.
We have plans to visit Namibia in one of our next trips, but have yet to decide on when is the best season for it?
have a great weekend
Daniel

krzychu30 (15512) 2013-08-24 10:17

Hello Rosemary,
the landscape or generally speaking the nature in Namibia can be hostile and sometimes dangerous for us,but it doesn´t change the fact,that it´s also very picturesque and beautiful.
Excellently composed image with vivid and nicely contrasting colors(contrast between blue sky and rusty hills in the distance is magnificent!)

Have a nice weekend
Krzysztof

macjake (98262) 2013-08-24 12:36

Hi Rosemary
again, Namibia shows its beauty.
and yes, this place may have been photographed to death, sorry for the pun :)

Looking at this, i wonder how hard it is to photograph here with this lighting! do most of your shots come out too overexposed in the sky? looks like it can happen easily.

But this photo doesn't show us that over exposed sky, looks great.

love the contrasting dark death sticks against all the other bright colors.
its a wow factor for me!
cheers
craig

PS
we don't seem to see many sunrise or sunset or Blue Hour photo's from here...any reasons why?

dkmurphys (79209) 2013-08-24 13:18

Hi Rosemary,
Incredible show offered by the nature and thank god you were there to show us some pieces. Lovely colors and textures, well taken.
Have a nice day.

Daniel

drt100 (4038) 2013-08-24 14:44

Indeed it is stark. Makes me feel thirsty. Nice view from the low position - artistic wood shapes. The sky is a really rich blue. Technically very good.

David

adidas5nb (5743) 2013-08-25 0:13

thats an amazing shot.really like the warm bright sharp colors,along with the great pov.just is so beautiful
regards
dwaipayan

ktanska (44492) 2013-08-25 1:38

Hi Rosemary,
That curving branch and it's shadow are just great details giving this view very strong 3D feeling. And with f/18 everything is still sharp. A truely unforgettable place.
Kari

wolf38 (30) 2013-08-25 2:32

Hello Rosemary. Dand, mountains, trees withered, - and a wonderful sky. The Namibian landscape is fantastic. Strong colors, best technical quality.
Rgds, Wolfgang.

macondo (20449) 2013-08-25 3:50

Hi Rosemary.
I'm looking at this at its original size, and it's quite breathtaking, with the arching close-up branch, the subtle perspective effect created by the trees and dunes closing to a vanishing point, and the brilliant clouds. It's certainly stark, but also beautiful, like much of outback Australia. Very pleasing colour rendition without going overboard with saturation.
Regards,
Andrew

saxo042 (38078) 2013-08-25 7:00

Hi Rosemary
The peculiar tree trunk and its shadow are well placed and provide a fine part of the picture. A quite surrealistic scene, something makes me think of Salvador Dali.
Kind regards
Gunnar

Silvio1953 (220759) 2013-08-26 9:12

Ciao Rosemary, great view of fantastic desert, lovely composition with dead tree, fine details, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

mesutilgim (0) 2013-08-26 12:24

Hello Rosemary,
Another topclass capture in your gallery !
Very good layout and interesting notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Angshu (56760) 2013-08-26 22:00

Hello Rosemary!
Your pictures from your home country are all stunning! Deadvlei for sure is the most symbol, at least photographically & has been photographed zillion times. Yet you seem to show us a somewhat different view. The dead tree in the FG with the arched branch pivots the picture superbly. Great depth which is critical for this shot with fine contrast! Excellent!
Best Regards
Angshu

adores (46979) 2013-09-06 8:08

Hi Rosemary!
Impossible not to like this landscape! Seems from another planet, sad and beautiful at the same time. I like the different tonalities of the dry earth and the shapes of the dead trees. A fabulous sky also. Never get tired of seeing photos of this place.

CLODO (45116) 2013-09-10 4:54

hi Rosemary

Good use of the wide angle to emphasis this stunning natural are, with superb contrasting colors. I particularly like the bent branch and its shadow which contrast with the straight lines of the picture.
Cheers
CLODO

sayeed_rahman (6461) 2014-10-12 13:08

Hey Rose, well, i just dissevered your photos from the south Nam, it is just fantastic, i think you have brought Namibia to the pages of TE with great appeal, the kind of stuff that would make people want to think about Namibia. I want to go there too. I think all your photos deserve appreciation for the effort, variety and presentation and overall appeal. Great work. I might want to mention the harsh colours, could you be using a warming filter ? Or is it just your equipment, a constant is the narrow aperture at wide angle which works very well.

In this one i like the strong curve of the dead tree/branch, i think it leads us into the simplicity and depth of the composition very well.

ciao
sayeed