The Olympus E-M1X at work within the Atacama Desert, Chile
Mud, sandstorms, chilly circumstances and contrasting excessive warmth are all components that come into play when photographing in one of many driest locations on earth.
Chile’s Atacama Desert is named the driest non-polar location on the planet, with some areas by no means receiving a drop of rainfall in over 57 years. It’s dry, huge and oh so photogenic. With the E-M1X constructed with business main climate proofing, I put it to the take a look at in San Pedro de Atacama, an excellent base for exploring the opposite worldly landscapes of the desert.
From salt flats to volcanic skylines the realm is a photographer’s playground of all issues naturally lovely, carved by sturdy winds and intense climate circumstances. When photographing in places like this it’s important to have gear that may face up to a bit of powerful love. Realizing that the Olympus OM-D E-M1X can deal with virtually something meant I might deal with composing my photographs with out worrying if the dunes have been whipping up sand or if I wanted to relaxation the digicam on the salt flats whereas photographing flamingos.
The variety that exists within the Atacama Desert is sort of unbelievable. A spot the place you’d suppose nothing can reside is full of wildlife, flowers and vegetation that thrive in a panorama of extremities. On the Atacama Salt Flat, you’ll discover a flamboyance of Flamingos nibbling on the algae of the shallow lagoons. Making lovely topics to compose in opposition to the backdrop of the Andes Mountain vary, I used the M.Zuiko 300mm f4 lens with the E-M1X to seize a collection of pictures of those sleek birdies.
Now, I’ll share a bit of confession, I hardly ever journey with a tripod. I hate lugging them round and since I do know the Olympus/OM SYSTEM cameras have such unbelievable picture stabilisation, it’s actually onerous to justify carrying the additional weight. As a substitute, if I have to steadiness myself when taking pictures with the 300mm telephoto lens I merely lie on the bottom and relaxation it on one thing strong. On this case it was the crusted salt discovered on the shores of the salt lakes that meant I might {photograph} the flamingos from a distance and seize sharp pictures.
One other space of the desert not so considerable with wildlife however strikingly lovely is the Valley of the Moon or El Valle de la Luna. With a crater-like look brought on by a distinction of salt and sand, the panorama is someplace that’s onerous to imagine is even actual. It took me some time to take all of it in and work out a composition that may do the surroundings justice, switching out the M.Zuiko 7-14mm large angle lens for the M.Zuiko 40-150mm f2.8 attempting to seize a wide range of views to showcase the fantastic thing about this location.
Captured with the M.Zuiko 40-150mm f2.8
Captured with the M.Zuiko 7-14 mm f2.8
Ultimately, I wasn’t pleased with my first set of pictures and returned at dawn on my final day within the space to strive once more. Whereas the primary day I visited was calm and clear (maybe the rationale I felt my photographs have been a bit of flat), as luck would have it, the ultimate dawn was on a day the place a sand storm was predicted and winds have been gusting as much as 71km per hour. With winds that sturdy, the final place you need to be is on a sand dune! However…I figured I’d solely be there as soon as so ventured up the dune and tried once more.
Sand was blasting the E-M1X however the dawn placed on probably the greatest reveals I’ve ever seen. Clouds have been full of dancing gentle that appeared to hover above the sand dune offering a surprising distinction to the arid landscapes beneath. If it wasn’t for the climate proofing, I might’ve needed to pack up and head again to the automotive however the E-M1X walked away in significantly better situation that I did with sand in my eyes, ears and pores and skin that felt like I’d been scorched by the solar.
The place to Keep in San Pedro de Atacama?
I stayed on the unbelievable Alto Atacama, a posh that seems to mix into it’s desert environment. Take a peek at my Visible Resort Overview from the keep!
Associated articles:
Photographing the Valle de la Luna, Chile
How one can Use Your Digital camera in Excessive Environments
Changing into a Skilled Journey Photographer
Whats up! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as knowledgeable journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this website is from my private expertise on the street. I hope it’s helpful in your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences all over the world.
