Those popular dead trees...

[Morkel Erasmus]

On our recent road-trip through Namibia, we couldn't resist also making our way to the now-famous Dead Vlei in the Namib desert.
I had been here before in 1995, but we didn't even know about this spot back then, and only visited the larger Sossusvlei.

The problem these days is that a place that is photographed as often as this can risk not feeling new and jawdropping on your first visit. Nevertheless, I was happy with some of the images I walked away with here.

Techs:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8 @ 14mm
f16 | 1/25 SS | ISO-200

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - Tough to get something not previously done here. I like the detail of the near tree juxtaposed against the silhouettes of the bg trees.

TFS,
Rachel

[Mike Hitchen]

A very different perspective, and very effective I think.

[Luis Patacao]

Hi Morkel, i absolutelly agree with your statement here. As for the image i don`t love the composition, but i do enjoy the detail on the FG tree.
I might suggest a similar approach but in a panoramic view in order to really stand out the main tree vs the sea of "dead" bg trees. Just my personal opinion.

Cheers

[Andrew McLachlan]

Very nice capture Morkel....I really like how you framed the foreground tree in this composition!!!

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks folks. I knew this composition would not work for everybody. Got a couple more to share in time...

[Don Railton]

Hi Morkel

Consider putting a gradient from the bottom up to lighten the FG and see what you think. I understand your predicament in this well shot location, but not many images feature the FG like you have, so I think lightening the FG will draw there eye more to this and make your "difference" stand out. I used an exposure layer at +10% (on exposure and Gamma)...

DON