White Desert at Sunset, a photo from New Valley, Inland

Photographer's Note

White Desert
The area to the north-east of Qasr el-Farafra is renowned for its spectacular scenery. Although it’s closer to Farafra Oasis, it’s easier to get an excursion from Bahariya oasis, further north and closer to Cairo. The best thing to do to fully enjoy this surrealist place is to stay overnight, feel the absolute silence, the stars over your head and the magic light of sunset and sunrise. That’s what I did and also had the chance to meet a mr. Fox trying to steal our garbage in the middle of the night, which was a funny bonus. The chalk-white landscape is strewn with alien shapes, boulders of brilliant white which thrust up from the surface of the desert. At night, the clear night of noon intensifies the shapes and at sunset they turn into shimmering gold. Many of the formations are given descriptive names – sculpted by the harsh desert winds into weird shapes which constantly change over time. There are ‘monoliths’ and ‘mushrooms’, ‘ice cream cones’, ‘tents’, ‘crickets’ or ‘horses’, to name just a few of them. At some places the chalky ground looks like solified waves.

This was taken half an hour before sunset, not far from the campsite. I would like to show more images but I got out of WSs for today :(

amfdj, PaulVDV, carper, isabela_sor, gildasjan, IgorDeleze, JCG, sleon, Vaarna, gneufeld, kiks, danos, JBotelho, luisafonso, Scharan, nivaldo, Gerrit, Didi, parbo, Glint, ChrisJ, derek3755, Tue, syd1946, Henryk_Bilor, Photo65Net, wolves00, ribeiroantonio, bostankorkulugu, AiresSantos, Truja, lucasgalodoido, adores, paura, Cricri, manatee, siolaw, xuaxo, axiotea, josepmarin, bibiweb, Bluejeans, stego, Benedict ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

siggi (1419) 2008-06-17 11:30

Hello Ricardo,
Wonderful scene. Amazing landscape. Good POV, very good capture.
Regards Siegfried

amfdj (1986) 2008-06-17 11:30

Hi Ricordo,
A very surrealistic view. Well composed and beautiful colors.
Regards,
Eddie

PaulVDV (62944) 2008-06-17 11:30

Hello Ricardo,
A very good composition and real nice colours of this White Desert. You've choosen the right time of the day for this picture.
Years ago I've also visited the White Desert but I haven't been on this same beautiful place.
Regards, Paul

leo61 (0) 2008-06-17 11:30

Hi Ricardo!
Great place,great shot.It looks a bit oversharpened at my monitor.
Anyway ,you found a good POV to present these bizarre sculptures,created by nature.Great colors and contrast.
Regards,leo
see you on thursday in the quarterfinal.......

gildasjan (43826) 2008-06-17 11:34

Bonjour Ricardo
Tout simplement très beau cette image et sa délicieuse lumière.
Bravo!!
Amicalement
Gildas

isabela_sor (47748) 2008-06-17 11:35 [Comment]

Show Comment

mesutilgim (0) 2008-06-17 11:36

Hi Ricardo,
Amazing scener. Like Mars on earth !
You have utilised a good pov and captured perectly. Good depth of sharpness and amazing light balance.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

IgorDeleze (585) 2008-06-17 11:40

Hello Ricardo,
Very nice shot and landscape under a great light.
Greetings.
Igor

dta (98848) 2008-06-17 11:40

Hello Ricardo ,
A fantastic landscape , with incredible shapes and colors . Great picture !
Regards
Denis

coco (30439) 2008-06-17 11:43

Hi Ricardo.

Splendid and unusual view of this desert. I like very much this photo and it looks really nice.

REgards.

JCG (35153) 2008-06-17 11:46

Hi Ricardo,

I did not know that there were icebergs in the Egyptian desert!!! Superb photograph and you seized a marvellous light emphasizing this strange landscape, I like much. An image with an exceptional relief. Thank you Ricardo, very interesting.

With all my friendships and a very good evening,

Jean-Charles

ccameraguy (383) 2008-06-17 11:51

Hello Ricardo,

A terrific image from Eqypt. Most interesting detail and colour in this location. Very informative about the location as well.

Thanks for sharing.

Bill

sleon (9402) 2008-06-17 11:52

Hi Ricardo
What an incredible landscape. The evening sun brings out a nice range of tones and textures. This must have been a special experience.
Regards, susanna

recepyuksel (18640) 2008-06-17 12:03 [Comment]

Show Comment

japiey (10163) 2008-06-17 12:27

Hi Ricardo,

A great share for the world..
Through words, through visions...
Good composition, perfect light balancing.
Worthy capture.
All the best.

jp

gneufeld (15890) 2008-06-17 12:35

Hi Ricardo,
A most unusual image presented very well. The landscape is very eye catching and the colors and light very well managed. TFS. Gerald

Vaarna (303) 2008-06-17 12:36

I used to hate Egypt because of all the hotels and tourists. Now i see one reason to go there one more. Thanks Ricardo!

kiks (12805) 2008-06-17 13:00

Incredible landschape! I've never seen it before. It seems almost icebergs at the desert. Fantastic work.
Best regards
KIKs

danos (110407) 2008-06-17 13:34

Ola Ricardo,
really this is an impressive shot from this unknown color of the desert.I like the shades of the scene as the unique sharpness and clarity of the scene.A well documentary capture that i never seen.Splendid shot and informative note.Well done.

Regards,danos

JBotelho (149) 2008-06-17 13:54

Olá Ricardo
Fantástica fotografia, com muito boa definição e excelentes cores. É de facto uma paisagem surrealista. Deve ter sido muito agradável observá-la ao vivo. Ficamos a aguadar mais dessa viagem...
Abraço.
João Botelho

luisafonso (862) 2008-06-17 14:11

Só falta dizeres o porquê daquele branco...
Grande cenário, não há dúvida disso. A foto é "pretty straightforward", mas com tanta beleza posso dizer-te que é uma vencedora. Quero ver mais please.

Scharan (14144) 2008-06-17 16:05

Uma foto espetacular Ricardo!
Cenário incrível...é uma obra de arte.
Cores deslumbrantes, parabéns pelo trabalho.
GA
Vera

nivaldo (15417) 2008-06-17 17:37

Olá Ricardo!
Estive também no Egito recentemente (Abril), mas apenas em "aglomerados urbanos" do Cairo e outras cidades menores, também densamente povoadas, no percurso do Cruzeiro do Nilo, entre Aswan e Luxor.Com relação as belezas NATURAIS do Egito não vi nada igual como o que agora vejo nessa sua excelente fotografia. Um belo registro, sim, parabéns!
Um abraço, já de volta ao meu RECIFE(Brasil) ,
Nivaldo

Gerrit (62042) 2008-06-17 18:25

Hi Ricardo,
spectaculair place and salt formations, Fantastic colours.
Regards. Gerrit

Didi (61589) 2008-06-17 18:34

Hi Ricardo
Shame to me I never went there in my own birth country and in the seventies this place was not open for tourism and local people prefer to spend holidays in Alexandria.
Very magnificient foreground and this place it's magic.
Obrigado.

parbo (11092) 2008-06-17 18:59

Olá Ricardo,

I'm still curios about scale of your frame because I'm not sure is it taken from plane or one of highest point? But any how I like it a lot because fantastic contrast between dessert sand and white; Seems like a sugar glazer on cake. Spectacular one with your well detailed informative note.

Parabéns e Abraço!

Ertugrul

Glint (6171) 2008-06-17 22:15

hello Ricardo,
from the thumbnail it looke like it was the top of clouds taken from an aeroplane. This is a stunning and surreal image. The evening light has given it an extra touch of magic.
regards
Bev

zeynepe (0) 2008-06-17 23:13

Hi Ricordo,
As if everywhere is covered by snow.
As if this country is being hidden under white.
As if the wind is so big and powerful that it takes up snow on the desert…
This image takes me to the Neverland ….
Superb :)
Warm regards,
Zeynep

derek3755 (2341) 2008-06-17 23:56

Hello Ricardo

looks like an amazing place, like the composition and POV, beautiful warm light.

Regards
Derek

Tue (92402) 2008-06-18 1:25

Hi Ricardo,
Such an amazing landscape, it looks really special and the photo gives an excellent idea of all the impressive sculptures of nature in the desert here. The shapes are beautiful and the view is enhanced by the warm, low sunlight. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

syd1946 (1167) 2008-06-18 1:25

Hello Ricardo,
I am impressed from this strange landscape composition...Looks like you have been in another planet so far from the earth...
Amazing coloring and lighting,you found the nature's beauty in a desert!

Have a nice day,
Thomas

Paolo (41258) 2008-06-18 1:33

What a fantastic view...unreal...with snow on the sand!
;P
great view Ricardo, with excellen tones, light and quality.
thanks, ciao

ChrisJ (171852) 2008-06-18 3:01

Ola Ricardo

Wow! It looks like another planet. Good sharpness & repetition of the salt piles, with excellent textures, revealed by the crosslighting. Tfs!

sacavem (18620) 2008-06-18 3:33

Olá Ricardo,

Que paisagem encantadora a perder de vista.Grande trip a vossa. O primeiro plano tem uma luz muito bonita,
Amazing landscape. Good POV, very good capture.
Filipe

carper (96) 2008-06-18 3:41

a fantastic place Ricardo,
marvelous shot here, good composition and a very good quality a pleasure to look at, fine photojob, have a nice evening.
gr. jaap

jonathan_hart (21276) 2008-06-18 4:02

interesting and surprising place,
fine light and exposure
regards
jo

delkoo (68) 2008-06-18 4:22

hi Ricardo
i would like to go in this place, i have seen several broadcasts on it and i am very attracted by the contrast of the colors and shapes of this area.
thanks to share with us this splendid view.

didier

albertz (2468) 2008-06-18 6:18

Surreal but nice.. your timing is perfect to emphasize a mood in this shot. Well done.

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2008-06-18 10:04

Hello
Like a snow cakes :). Amazing place. Godd composition and light.
Regards

alvaraalto (42804) 2008-06-18 10:25

Hi Ricardo,

At first sight I thought you lost your way and was end up in Antarctica. I’ve seen more astonishing images from the dessert but this one is certainly one of the most extraordinary.

Groet Rob

emka (158198) 2008-06-18 10:33

Hi Ricardo,
Very interesting photo. What are these formations made of? Chalk, salt? Amazing landscape.

Regards

Malgorzata

berek (50518) 2008-06-18 10:58

Ola my friend,
so interesting desert under the sunset. nice simple view. greetings.
Burak

Photo65Net (43144) 2008-06-18 12:35

Ricardo,
Amazing one !
I'm speechless, you composed perfectly with this unique natural landscape.
Great job,
Regards,
JB.

wolves00 (152) 2008-06-18 12:43

Ricardo,

A very unusual subject which has been shot extremely well. The colors and light have been very well managed and your note is excellent.

TFS

Richard.

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2008-06-18 16:59

never heard of this place before and never seen a pic of it... looks like a desert in antartica... weird... and very impressive... cheers rcrd...

krkt

jmdias (115208) 2008-06-18 17:17

ricardo

é uma bela foto, uma paisagem inusitada por suas cores e formas. A luz está perfeita e o pov também.Parece até um mar coberto de icebergs. lindo trabalho, parabéns

abraços

jorge

AiresSantos (56155) 2008-06-19 2:26

OLa Ricardo
Uma imagem do deserto diferente do habitual. Ate parece noutro planeta. Excelente POV e cores. Gosto da luz quente e das sombras criadas
Um abraço Amigo
Aires

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2008-06-19 4:26

Este é um daqueles sítios que eu gostaria mesmo de visitar, tanto pela beleza natural como pelo significado geológico.
Mas, tenho que me contentar com a tua foto, para já!!!!
Gosto muito das cores quentes do pôr-do-sol e quanto ao passar uma noite imagino que será muito semelhante à noite que passei no Botswana, no lago salgado seco do centro do país.
Um abraço,
António

Truja (4953) 2008-06-19 8:45

Olá Ricardo,
te felicito por la excelente fotografía y por su carácter diferenciador, puesto que es una vista inusual del desierto, es diferente a todas: por colores, por contenido, por texturas y matices!!

Un fuerte abraço, parabéns,

Jordi

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2008-06-19 10:20

Olá Ricardo,
uma foto bem interessante essa mesmo, uma paisagem que nunca imaginei existir. Ainda bem que existe o TE pra compartilhar esse mundo com agente. Gostei do contraste da imagem.
Parabéns e Abraço

adores (46979) 2008-06-19 17:10

Olá Ricardo!
Uma paisagem bem diferente, sem dúvida. O efeito é tremendo, quase parece outro planeta.Gosto muito das formas e da luz.O pov está muito bom. Deve valer bem a pena.

paura (25802) 2008-06-19 17:38

Lindísisma, Ric.
Noto um significastivo acréscimo de técnica em suas fotos. Uma beleza aqui.

Abraço

Paulo

Stepan (27210) 2008-06-19 23:08

The contrast between the sand and the chalk must be really amazing and produce great light effects as the sun goes down. Really unusual.
Stéphane

gilou530 (34) 2008-06-20 5:37

salut ricardo
un paysage irréel avec ces statues et sculptures naturelles du sel, une belle PDC qui donne toute la beauté du paysage
amitiés
gilbert

Angshu (56760) 2008-06-21 0:40

Ola Ricardo
Amazing place...the salt & the sand creates such a wonderful contrast, but it's also the amazing structures which attract most. The light is absolutely sublime & I'm sure the best to capture these landscapes. Amazing, almost unreal!
Friendly Regards
Angshu
PS : Liked your Petra shots a lot :-)

Cricri (176) 2008-06-21 11:10

Hola Ricardo,
Un paysage incroyable et fantastique, il doit être en effet merveilleux de visiter un tel endroit, bel effet de la lumiére sur ses formes particuliéres
Have a nice Weekend for you
cricri

manatee (4668) 2008-06-21 14:45

Recientemente vi un documental de este lugar es increible como la erosion ha jugado un papel imprtante en este lugar, me gusta mcuho ea formacion y es un lugar unico, ademas si le ponemos tu estilo y toque pues muhco mejor, me gusta mcuho el color banquecino azuladoq ue tienes con el contraste de las arenas, es un lugar magico y lunar parece sacado de Star wars

Un abraco grande amigo mio.
Muchas gracias por tu ayuda y tus consejos

Elias

siolaw (38294) 2008-06-22 0:12

Ola Ricardo
A strange landscape indeed! It looks like piles of salt.. Good lateral light enhancing colors and textures. Sharp details in this quality picture.
Parabens!
Laurent

pablominto (53746) 2008-06-22 4:11

Hello Ricardo,

Indeed it is a strange landscape, with an extra-terrestrial feeling to it!
Good detail, and the colour palette has an attraction of its own...
The frame is well divided and the late afternoon sunlight has a fine effect!

Greetings,
Pablo -

xuaxo (6854) 2008-06-22 12:27

Olá Ricardo,
Isto é neve no deserto ou é alguma daquelas fotos recentes da NASA da superfície de Marte?
Neve não deve ser, pois está só nuns pedaços. De Marte também é estranho. Deve ser de um planeta ainda mais estrambólico.
Magnífico, Ricardo. Essa dormida no deserto valeu ouro.
Só falta algo que indique a escala. Mas algo podia "estragar" o aspecto mágico do sítio. Falta só saber a escala; por exemplo a largura da primeira "mancha" em primeiro plano, ou a altura daqueles "cogumelos" lá atrás ao meio.
Um abraço,
F

axiotea (21651) 2008-06-22 13:17

Olà Ricardo
Long time no see ;)
A spectacular landscape with fantastic light which gave nice golden color to some of the 'chalk sculptures'. it's really an eye catcher and I for sure would like to visit such a place. I think you did well in spending a night under the stars!
Cheers
Marilyn

NMaverick (0) 2008-06-23 0:02

Hi Ricardo, beautiful picture no more words to describe what I see here. The shadow textures make the mood and the afternoon light adds the extra touch that was needed.
TFS
Nick

josepmarin (59385) 2008-06-23 10:13

Olá Ricardo,
el fuerte viento del desierto ha esculpido estas formaciones tan curiosas y caprichosas, que se destacan sobre un paisaje que parece polar. No me hubiera sorprendido ver por aquí un oso blanco.
Buena composición, cuya sencillez y grafismo tienen un fuerte atractivo visual, con una gran luz y un colorido perfecto.
Un abrazo,
Josep

bibiweb (8) 2008-06-24 3:43

Ola Ricardo,
The first thing that comes to my mind looking at this photo is WOW!! :o)
I've never been to the white desert but every time I see a picture from this place I say to myself that I must really go there one day. Your photo is no exception and I get the impression that this was taken on another planet. The low light is very good here and I love the contrast between the warm colored sand and those white forms.
Have a nice day.
Bibi

Bluejeans (64251) 2008-06-24 5:52

Oi amigo ,
Parece uma foto de outro planeta , as cores e sombras ficaram magnificas devido a posição baixa do sol , nunca tinha visto nada assim , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

keribar (43841) 2008-06-25 22:43

Ola my friend,
I see this place for the first time in my lige and I am really stunned with this incredible view rendered perfectly with your wide-angle. I am on my way to Egypt soon at the end of the year, but I am fraid these remote places are not on the agenda. However Lisbon is. I am preparing a combined exhibition of Lisbon-Istanbul at the Jeronimos Monastery, probably during the first week of September: Hope to see you
( And perhaps the cats) then
Friendly yours - Izzet

stego (24132) 2008-06-29 20:10

Olá Ricardo,
Nem sei que te diga... Está... mesmo fantástica... Deve ser uma experiência e tanto apreciar essa paisagem única e completamente deserta! Se ver esta fotografia já é, imagino ao vivo. Bela compo e luz.
Os desertos fascinam-me imenso, talvez ainda mais que as montanhas (que por sinal são muitas vezes tb. algo desérticos) e, embora tenha estado brevemente apenas num ou noutro bocadinho do Sahara, fiquei com a sensação que os desertos do Egipto conseguem ser muito mais "hardcore", pois não têm um vestígio sequer de vegetação. Costumo gracejar que as partes de deserto que vi na Tunísia e Marrocos são luxuriantes comparados com o que vi em Luxor, Assuão e na margem africana do Mar Vermelho.
TFS, Um abraço, José.

Benedict (7076) 2008-07-02 22:17

hi ric,
looks like scattered snow all over.
a flawless work.
Benedict

Urs (14082) 2010-02-12 3:42

Ola Ricardo

That is a real moonscape, did you fly to the moon? No, of course not, but it's a strange place. Excellent contrasts and fine color hues with high sharpness. A place to take countless photographs, but not to live there, it's not hospitable at all.

Thanks for your critique of my market shot. I uploaded the last one only because there were requests to do so. I intended to switch to Chinese New Year's mode - tomorrow is New Years eve.

Best regards
Urs