Summary:

The desert landscape is full of wonder and awe-inspiring elements. With the great variety of shapes and patterns found in the desert, it has become one of the most enticing locations to photograph in the world.

That said, desert photography can be challenging and is not for the faint of heart. The heat can be intense and the weather can be unpredictable. The desert sand is fragile, making finding suitable compositions effortful.

Also, because of the monotonous tones and colors found in the desert, a subtle difference in lighting can alter the success of a photoshoot entirely.

It takes practice and skill to turn a desert landscape into a stunning image. But, with the right tools and preparation, your photoshoot can render images that are both unique and breathtaking. Let’s start at the beginning – with your camera equipment.

Gear

1. Lenses

With the vast hills and dunes in the desert,  there is no limit to the perspectives or angles that you can photograph.

Use wide-angle lenses to capture broader scenes and emphasize the immensity of the desert. Wide-angle lenses are also ideal for emphasizing attractive patterns that are close to you. To highlight the intricate details in your foreground, I recommend using a 14-24mm lens. 

To zoom in on the beautiful details, I like using a 70-200mm telephoto lens. I find it ideal for honing in on intricate features that are visually interesting. This lens makes the contours of the hills dominant within the frame which makes for picturesque compositions.

Though it would seem that using a wide-angle lens would be the best way to capture the vast desert, this isn’t always true. Sometimes, this can lead the viewer to a sense of emptiness. Occasionally, with large objects, it’s better to focus on the smaller details.

Focusing on the smaller, intricate details give the viewer both visual interest and a visual anchor. It provides a sense of depth that catches the eye and stimulates the mind to ponder what it is seeing.

Another factor to consider while using a telephoto lens is the physical movement of the lens. Prime lenses or internal zoom lenses should be used.

If the lens slides back and forth externally to zoom or focus, the sand can become trapped in the external casing. Because of the tightly fitted lens casing, it is impossible to clean the sand. Once the sand gets inside the lens, lens repair is needed.

I don’t recommend changing lenses on the desert dunes. The amount of damage a few grains of sand can do on the interiors of cameras and lenses would astound you.

If you’re planning on using different lenses for your photoshoot, try bringing two cameras with you. Swapping out cameras with different lenses is an excellent way to change your focal length in the desert. This will not only save your expensive camera from sand but will also provide different perspectives on your landscape.

If you are unable to take two cameras and are determined to switch lenses, do it in a protected area. If there’s wind, wait until it has died down. Turn your back to the wind and change lenses as quickly as possible.

I also suggest swapping items inside of a wind deterrent such as a backpack for extra protection from the sand. Note that, if the wind is strong, this will not be advisable and it’s best not to change lenses.  

2. Camera

Ironically, the best shots of sands dunes are when the sand is blowing full-on in the wind. And if your equipment is vulnerable to sand, your photographic endeavor will end before it’s started.

Camera bodies come weather-sealed. Weather-sealed cameras are designed to resist inclement weather and protect your camera from moisture and dust. However, most of the time, weather-sealing will not be enough to protect your camera from the desert’s sand. This is especially true if you are in windy conditions.

One way to protect your camera from sand is to use an underwater housing. Underwater housing essentially waterproofs your camera equipment.

While water is not usually a problem in the desert, this waterproof housing encases the camera, keeping out all small debris and particulates including the dreaded sand.

These housings aren’t exactly user-friendly, and they can’t be used with a tripod, but in the end, they will protect your expensive investment and allow your camera to live another day.

If you’re not fond of the idea of using an underwater housing, consider using a plastic bag to protect your camera.

To do this, take a clear plastic bag and cut a tightly fit hole for the front of your lens. Secure any critical areas with rubber bands. This will help eliminate any sand grains from falling into the exposed part of the lens barrel.

Using a plastic bag won’t work in extreme conditions, but it is better than nothing.

3. Camera bag

Another essential tool in your desert photography arsenal is the camera bag.

Not all camera bags are created equal. Some are designed merely to carry your items. Some are designed to protect and carry your things. Because sand is your camera equipment worst enemy, you want the best camera bag protection that you can buy.

When taking photos of the desert,  the best type of camera bag to use it a backpack. Backpacks will allow you to easily and comfortably carry your camera gear over long distances. For extra protection, be sure to bring a camera bag that is weatherproof. This will help protect your gear from the desert debris or sand.

Also, remember to avoid setting your camera bag down on the sand. Doing so will likely get sand on your bag and if your bag is open the sand will likely get into your camera gear. You don’t get to short circuit your photoshoot after all the work of getting to your location. Hold your bag or hang it on your tripod when you’re taking stuff out.

4. Tripod

A quality tripod is essential for good photography. The only way to avoid camera shake, especially in high winds, is to stabilize the camera with a sturdy, quality tripod.

The best tripods can be taken apart and cleaned. This quality is essential in desert photography as there is no way to avoid sand getting inside your tripod. This type of tripod is typically pricier than regular ones, but are built to last and are well worth their price.

Consider using tripod shoes to help stabilize your tripod and prevent it from sinking in the sand. I keep my tripod shoes in a Ziploc inside my camera bag after the photoshoot. Doing so helps keep any stray bits of sand from contaminating other camera gear inside my bag.

When setting up your tripod, try not to bury your tripod’s locking mechanisms under the sand. More than any other part of your tripod, these are highly susceptible to sand damage. For example, if your tripod has a twist or flip locks on the legs, be sure they stay above ground.

When it’s time to pack up the tripod, inspect the tubing for any grains of sand. Remove all debris before closing them. If any sand or debris is left, it could scratch the tripod or make the legs stick.

To extend the life of your tripod, take the tripod apart and clean it thoroughly as soon as possible after your desert shoot. This will minimize any damage done during the shoot.

5. UV filter/ Clear Filter

Using a lens filter will help prevent any scratches from dust, debris or accidental drops.

I don’t use lens filters for protection because I don’t mind small scratches in the front of my lenses. This is simply a personal preference, and a greater discussion about this will be available in a different post. 

However, if you are worried about the sand damaging the front of your lens, using a lens filter can be a good solution.

If you are shooting the dunes while it’s windy, the sand may scratch your lens. This is especially true if the wind is high and your lens has prolonged exposure. If sand is whirling about you, you will want some lens protection.

Scratched lenses are difficult to repair and a quality filter is an inexpensive form of protection for a costly lens.

Preparation

Desert photography can be challenging. The heat can be intense, the weather unpredictable and the desert creatures can be dangerous. But none of this dims the sheer beauty that is the desert. Though it’s one of the world’s harshest environment, it can be photographed successfully through appropriate planning and care.

Planning a safe and successful photoshoot includes preparing your equipment, packing appropriate clothing, and stocking up on supplies. 

1. Batteries and Memory Cards

Before leaving on your photographic journey, charge all of your batteries and empty your memory cards.  If you try to switch batteries or memory cards while in the open desert, you might get sand or debris in your camera and ruin your camera.

2. Clothing

Your camera equipment is not the only thing that needs protecting. Your skin needs to be protected as well. The desert is a harsh environment. Dehydration, sunburn and sand-chaffed skin are all part of the desert experience. For protection, it is essential to equip yourself with the proper clothing and accouterments.

To protect your head from UV rays and severe sunburn, wear a UV resistant hat that is lightweight and will withstand wind and sand.

I like wearing a cotton shirt when shooting in the desert. Though in most outdoor environments, cotton is the worst fabric to wear because it doesn’t maintain body heat, in the desert, this cooling ability works to your advantage. The type of cotton should be quick-dry for both environmental factors and human sweat.

Also, have a down jacket as a part of your protection plan. The desert is a land of extremes: both hot and cold. Be prepared to protect yourself from either temperature.

3. Small Flashlight or Headlamp

Bring a small flashlight or headlamp in case you end up staying in the desert past sunset. Flashlights can also come in handy if you are planning to shoot at night and are in need of artificial lighting. If you can be creative enough with your lighting this small addition can bring out the best in your photographs. 

3. Eye Protection

Your eyes are one of the most valuable and sensitive parts of your body; thus you should be generous with your budget for protection. 

Bring a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and sand. I recommend getting glasses with photochromic lenses. Photochromic lenses are designed to adjust to the changing light conditions. These lenses can be used in low-light conditions, which is ideal during windy desert nights.

For extreme winds, eye protection in the form of goggles works best because they encase your entire eye area,  preventing any sand from reaching your eyes.

Also, consider attaching a strap to both your sunglasses and goggles. Doing so makes it easier to put them on and off while taking your photos. This will minimize the hassle of putting your glasses away. It will also lessen the amount of time your eyes are exposed to the elements.

4. Water

I cannot stress this point enough: Water, Water, Water!

Too many hikers have died from heatstroke because they didn’t include enough water for their journey. In my pack, I typically carry at least two bottles of water when hiking long distances.

Something to bear in mind, the amount of water required for each individual varies based on the level of fitness, weather conditions, and amount of physical activity. Females carry more water in their bodies, and because of this, they require more water than men do.

That said, it’s better to have too much water than too little. A good rule of thumb is to carry at least two liters of water in your vehicle. Another rule of thumb is to carry twice the amount of water as food. In the desert having water is more important than food, thus prepare accordingly.

Using a water consumption calculator is a good way to get a better estimate of how much water you should bring with you. To stay on the safer side bring more water than the calculator recommends. Because the desert is barren, plan for lack of water, not for the spring that the maps say exists. It is better to be safe than dead.

Now that we’ve discussed camera equipment and preparation for the desert let’s talk about compositional ideas for desert photography.

Composition

The desert landscape is full of wonder and awe-inspiring elements. The shapes and patterns found in the desert are some of nature’s most spectacular design. To highlight these features, here are some of my recommendations for framing your compositions:

1. Add  Mystery

Don’t oversell the story by being too literal in your presentation of the subject. A taste of mystery adds to the intrigue in an image. It entices viewers to be more involved in your visual narrative. Whenever I use dune ridges as my central foreground, I try to cover a good portion of my background with it so that only some dunes in the horizon are visible.

2. Keep it Simple

Deserts are often very simple scenes with repeating elements such as lines or shapes. When composing your images keep it simple and focus on key elements you are trying to emphasize rather than trying to capture every element within your frame. In deserts photography, less is usually more. 

For example, rather than trying to capture an entire valley of sand dunes simply focus on one sand dune and the intricate patterns and shapes it has to offer. Keeping your images simple will leave your readers with a clear idea of the story you are trying to tell.

2. Include Context

Give your images context by including objects in your composition. You can create context by adding desert elements such as animals and plants. Introducing objects in your frame can add life to your image and enhance the emotions it conveys.

For example, you can combine a lone flower with the vast desert in your frame to evoke feelings of hope. Or you can include desert animals to demonstrate the wildness of the desert landscape.

3. Use Backlighting

Backlighting has a way of infusing drama into an image. It accentuates shape and form and can flood our images with life in a way that other types of light cannot.

If you’re photographing desert elements such as cactuses or camels, backlighting can be a great way to enhance your composition. It can be used to create separation between your subject and background.

The backlit subject is often reduced to a silhouette which can be stunning. Depending on the direction and intensity of light, the subject can fall into a silhouette with a beautiful glow all around it.

4. Look for Patterns

Get up close and personal with the patterns and shapes of the dunes. A dune might look like every other dune until you get intimate with its details. Look for the unique characteristics that will improve your composition such as squiggly lines, zebra-shaped patterns or gentle ridges. These patterns, when combined with the right light, can be visually fascinating. Rocks and hillsides can also provide an impressive backdrop as their patterns contrast with the dune.

5. Avoid the Biggest Dunes

I try to avoid shooting dunes that are a lot taller than the dunes around it. Often, shooting on top of a high dune makes the surrounding dunes seem much smaller than they are. This rarely makes a good composition.

6. Use Leading Lines

Leading lines are lines that draw the eye. There are different types of leading lines found in the desert that can be used to create an attractive layout. 

The wind whips the sand into lines that are easy for the eye to follow. These lines can be effective navigational components that will draw the viewer into your landscape.

You can also use dune ridges to lead the viewer into your image. Dune ridges vary in size, shape, and pattern. Because they are so varied, they can be repeatedly photographed and not tire the viewer.

Placing ridges and lines close to your camera can be a powerful way to lead the viewers into a scene. It’s a natural response to look at what appears closest to the camera and then follow it through to the background.

Leading Lines are also effective in guiding the viewers toward the focal point of an image. Placing the subject where the lines converge helps give it more importance and draw the viewer’s attention to it.  

7. Demonstrate Scale

It can be hard to demonstrate the vastness of landscapes in a two-dimensional image. To go about this, photographers often use reference points.

Reference points are elements in your composition that will help your audience distinguish the relative sizes of elements within your scene.

For example, if you are shooting a large dune, it’s hard to demonstrate its size if all the objects in the frame are similar sizes. Reference points will allow you to demonstrate the size of the dune.

To demonstrate scale you could place elements such as a person, animal, or plants in the frame. The reference points allow the viewers to visualize the size of the object by using an object that they can compare it to.

Using a reference point will allow you to demonstrate the scale and convey the grandness of the objects you are photographing.

8. Be Mindful

While exploring the dunes, try to stay between them. The valley created by dunes is perfect for walking as this keeps the ridges on top of the dunes pristine and photo-worthy for you or anyone else that comes behind you.



Dune ridges are the high prize for photographers, and as such, they are the most photographed part of the desert. Only cross a dune ridge when necessary. If possible, walk only on dunes that already have footprints or disturbed sand.

If you must walk along the fresh ridge of a dune, walk on the smooth side instead of on the ridge itself. This will keep the dune in good condition and prime for a shot.

 The main reason to climb a dune is to get a vantage point, so out of respect to other photographers, do this sparingly.

9. Look for Layers

Try to find layers in the natural forms of the desert to build compelling compositions. Many dune fields are surrounded by massive mountain ranges you can use to layer your dunes with. Another way you can use layers in your composition is by using vegetation such as cactuses and trees near mountain ranges or dunes. Placing the fresh vegetation in the foreground and layering in your background elements will create depth in your image.

Layers are most effective when they are high in contrast. For example, layering light dune in front of dark mountain ranges or layering bright green cactuses in front of dark mountains are great for creating engaging images.

10. Remember to Use the Rule of Third

The Rule of Thirds is one of the most well-known rules of composition. It posits that you should refrain from perfectly centered subjects in your photos. Instead, it suggests placing your subjects at natural focal points to create a more intriguing and well-balanced composition. These focal points occur at intersection points created by dividing your frame into thirds. 

Imagine applying a tic-tac-toe square over your frame. The result is a grid with nine equally sized rectangles. This process can be done either by using your imagination or using the grid view on your camera. 

Placing the subject within these focus points has the effect of creating tension and drawing the viewer’s eye into the composition. Observing this rule when composing your images will enable you to create pictures that engage the viewer as desired.

11. Keep Moving

The sun and clouds move and change positions throughout the day. This movement affects ambient light and continually creates new highlights and shadows. To take advantage of the evolving landscape of darkness and light, you must move with it.

Because lighting changes with time, timing can play a significant role in the ‘perfect’ shot. Considering timing, but don’t wait for the perfect light. Try to adapt and find compositions with the light you have. Dunes are continually shifting, and you might miss that one perfect shot if you wait too long. With a different view in every direction, the opportunities for a good shot are limitless.

Each view contains different subjects. The desert is one of the few landscapes where you can find a plethora of compositions for your images. Because sand is always shifting, the desert canvas offers new and exciting pictures constantly. Even though you are in the same location, the shifting light, shadow, and sand will guarantee that no two photos are the same.

12. Night Photography

One way to take your desert photos to the next level is shooting at night. The desert is an ideal place to shoot a night because it is usually isolated from light pollution.

When preparing to shoot at night, plan for these three elements: the Milkyway, the stars, and the moon. To create the compositions you want you will need to understand the orientation of these celestial objects. There are apps such as the Photographers Ephemeris that can help you plan accordingly.

It is essential that you have a tripod when shooting at night. Without a tripod capturing celestial objects becomes nearly impossible.

The next thing you need to consider is your exposure settings:  shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.

When shooting at night you will need to let in much more light than usual. This means that you will need to use high ISO and wide aperture values and longer shutter speeds to get a proper exposure.

If you want to capture the milky way and are unfamiliar with night photography, consider using the 500 rule as a baseline. The 500 rule states if you divide your focal length by 500 you will get the maximum shutter speed you can use before you begin to experience star trails.

For your ISO setting, 3200 is a good value to start with. Remember that higher ISO values will produce more noise. Try to find a balance between the exposure and noise being captured in your photo. For aperture, values between f/1.4 and f/2.8 typically work best and will capture sufficient light at night. 

Conclusion

Desert photography is an opportunity to record and highlight the beauty of one of the world’s harshest environments. It is not for the faint of heart but can be achieved successfully through appropriate planning and care. `