How to Shoot Perfect Desert Photography Image

Your Guide to Effortless Desert Photography

Hello, photographers! How is your time going? Have you ever tried desert photography? It is comparatively harder than any other form of photography? As you need some precaution, safety gear, advanced camera gears, etc. As a result, we can say that it is quite different from any other form of photography. In this tutorial, we will discuss “how to shoot a perfect desert photography?” 

The Common Desert Photography Tips 

When you are working in the desert, you need to take some precautions to survive in the extreme heat and no water. It is challenging and risky too. Let me give you some necessary tips that will help you to make decisions. 

  • As a photographer, you need to check out the weather and scout time. 
  • Strictly avoid the midday shoots. 
  • You need to always look for the perfect gear and equipment. 
  • For a smart output, sometimes you need to take a panoramic shot 
  • You need to use the flash according to the situation
  • Dress properly and take care of your health
  • You need to carry a plethora of water bottles to survive in the extreme weather 
  • From the survey, we have seen that you should need a 24-105mm zoom lens or a 70-200mm telephoto lens to capture the beauty of the desert.
  • If you like to capture beautiful desert photography, capture the desert land with stars
  • You can capture the sunset silhouettes. 
  • Panoramic shots are always great for desert land. 

The Top Gear For Desert Photography That You Should Have  

  • You must need a tripod to start shooting in a desert land. 
  • Wide range of lenses from wide-angle to telephoto
  • Extra SD card and batteries 
  • A focus lope 
  • Sometimes you might need a remote control camera for advanced shooting. 
  • You can add a flash unit if you need extra light 
  • Heat-protected attire 
  • Make sure you have garbage bags 
  • Cable release 

While shooting in the desert land, you must have all these gears or equipment. Otherwise, it will be a tough job to survive there. 

How To Shoot Desert Photography | Tips and Tricks 

Prepare Yourself for Desert Photography 

Photographer

As a photographer, initially, you need to prepare yourself for desert photography. The very first thing that you need to consider is that you need to go there according to the weather tolerance. Please check out the highest temperature of that desert land. You need to wear attire depending on the hotness. 

The most common things that you can keep with you are 

  • A wide hat for protecting you from the extreme heat. 
  • Several bottles of water to stay hydrated 
  • Use a sunglass and screen for additional protection 
  • GPS
  • Cover your neck properly 
  • Sometimes you might need hiking boots to walk in the desert land. 

Choosing The Perfect Lens For Desert Photography 

Perfect Lens For Desert Photography

I think it is one of the hardest things here. Choosing the perfect lens is utterly important. Naturally, a desert landscape consists of endless sand and sky. It is an organic process to capture all the objects in one frame. I normally suggest you use 80-200mm as the main lens. 

When you use a wide-angle lens there is a certain chance that you can capture a crystal-clear view. Your target audience would like to know the details of the situation. As a photographer, it is your basic duty to portray the scenario in detail and provide information as much as possible. 

In every area there is a hidden beauty, you need to portray that beauty with your skills. 

Using Filters For Shooting In The Desert 

Using Filters For Shooting In The Desert

Some photographers are totally in the opposite mindset regarding this. However, using an additional filter will give you the advantage of protecting your equipment and some other things. It will help your lens not to be scratched by sand. I believe it will enrich your security a lot. Whenever you are going for desert photography, you must remember this fact. It will protect your gear from a serious accident.  

As A Professional Photographer, We Suggest You Use A Tripod 

Tripod

Do you love to take a steady picture of the desert? A tripod will help you to do that. Sometimes you need to work hours after hours in the desert land and it is an industrious job to do. However, having a tripod will release your pressure and make it super easy. 

Sometimes you are planning to shoot in broad daylight and there will be heavy wind all day long in the desert land. In that case, a tripod is helpful and gives you an added advantage against extreme weather. 

Even when you are planning to shoot at night, a tripod will be helpful. The sand will be hot and there will be extreme weather. An extra precaution is always needed. 

Remote Trigger 

Remote Trigger

If you have found there is any risk, use a remote trigger. It is highly important like there will be an awkward situation in the desert and suddenly you have a scenic view to capture. How do you operate it? You need to take it remotely. In that case, sometimes you might use a remote control camera. 

Spare Batteries and Memory Card 

Camera Batteries, Dissert Photography

It is not a great idea to change the batteries and memory card in the desert land. It might be damaged due to the extreme weather. In that case, if it is highly needed you can do that quickly. Just you need to open and insert the battery into the devices quickly. The extreme heat might damage the battery quickly. 

Some Extra Batteries and an SD Card 

Camera SD Card

As a professional photographer, you need to carry some extra batteries and SD cards too while shooting in the desert. In the desert land, you cannot buy an SD card instantly. In that case, you need to go a long way to the market to buy any product. So we suggest you keep it in mind while shooting in the desert. 

Cleaning Kits 

Cleaning Kits

All the things that we have discussed earlier are very important in the context of desert photography. Besides that, you must have a cleaning kit to tackle the urgent situation. 

If you work on a sunny day, there is a chance that the wind might come heavily. 

It might create scratches on the lens of the camera. And damage the necessary utilities. Cleaning kits are important in every situation of a photographer’s life. 

Please Include The Natural Patterns For Shooting In The Desert 

Desert Photography

You need to display the nature of what it looks like. Do not try to experiment a lot. If you experiment a lot that will certainly ruin nature and eventually, it looks bad. 

You know the desert has a hidden beauty that will attract thousands of visitors to come and enjoy the scenic view of the desert. You know that the beauty of the desert might change according to time. In every specific time zone, it has its beauty. I prefer to shoot in the evening. 

For A Good Shot, You Can Use A Low Angle Lighting 

low angle lighting in the desert land

If you love landscape photography, desert land is the best place to explore. Here, you will get ample space to explore yourself as a photographer. Lots of things to do here. The wave of the desert is mesmerizing and certainly, you will fall in love with it. 

We have noticed different scenic views of desert land in different periods. Sequentially, morning, evening, and noon have several scenic views that you can capture. If you take the picture at a low angle, you can portray more details to the users. 

You Can Take Photos After Sunset For Stunning Silhouettes 

Silhoutte, Desert Photography

Do not think like that after sunset I have nothing to explore. We can assure you that after sunset you can take some lovely photos in the desert that will blow up your mind. 

Have a close look at the above picture! What do you think about this image? It looks stunning huh! You can use this image as an aesthetic wallpaper

I can say it will be a breathtaking photograph. As a professional photographer, you should not miss this chance! 

Desert Sky and Bloom Photography 

Desert Sky Photography

Desert sky photography is another interesting thing that you can try as a professional photographer. Let me give you some necessary tips and tricks. 

  • Do not take pictures with the back of the sun. You will not get a crystal clear image. 
  • For a smart view, you need to point the camera perpendicular to the direction of the sunlight. 
  • A UV filter could be a smart solution for perfect desert photography. 
  • Capture the sky with blue and cloud parts. 
  • When you capture the sky, please emphasize the blue part of the sky. 
  • It will be great if you capture a bird with the blue sky and desert sand. All of them will make a story for the visitors.

You Can Capture The Night Sky 

Capture The Night Sky

On a moon-lit-night, you can capture the desert sky and it would be amazing to see. The night sky is always appealing to the romantic person even if it is in the desert. In that case, you can take a powerful lens to capture the stars in the sky with a beautiful blue portion of the desert land. 

We suggest you use the Nikon series while shooting something precious. In that case, you can also use the remote control camera if you are not able to be present during that time. 

We know that capturing the sky is always a challenging task, especially in a desert land. There will be some wild animals too. So you need to ensure maximum safety while shooting at night. 

Capture The Sunset Properly 

sunset

On a moonlit night, you can capture the desert sky and it would be amazing to see. The night sky is always appealing to the romantic person even if it is in the desert. In that case, you can take a powerful lens to capture the stars in the sky with a beautiful blue portion of the desert land. 

We suggest you use the Nikon series while shooting something precious. In that case, you can also use the remote control camera if you are not able to be present during that time. 

We know that capturing the sky is always a challenging task, especially in a desert land. 

There will be some wild animals too. So you need to ensure maximum safety while shooting at night. 

We noticed the sunset in the ocean. It is a scenic place to enjoy. However, the sunset in the desert is also beautiful. It has another appeal to the audience. When you capture the sunset video, you need to capture the sands, clouds, sky, and scenic natural beauty together. I believe all of them will make a blended appeal to the audience. 

Have a close look at this picture! It looks mesmerizing! It is a pure combination of all like the sun, mesmerizing beauty of the desert, and also the beautiful cloud. In that case, we are suggesting you use the two-third ratio of photography. Keep the subject in a side corner and try to focus it differently, I believe it will look fascinating. 

For A Smart View, You Can Add Some Desert Animals Too 

Animals

If you like to portray realistic desert photography, try to add some animals. I believe that will be an additional beauty to the users.

Have a close look at the above picture! It looks eye-catchy. A tiger is posing on the desert land. Instead of a fresh desert picture composed of sand and sky, you can take it with a heinous animal. I believe it will intensify the picture and eventually, it will become famous. 

Desert Sea Photography 

Namib-Desert-And-Sea-DC1217

It is one of the most powerful creations by the creators. The ocean and desert meet at a point and they look beautiful. It is one of the most exciting things to explore as a tourist and a photographer. In Jeddah, you can explore that beauty and it looks eye-pleasing. As a photographer, you need to confirm the maximum beauty here like the waves, blue ocean, and the scenic beauty of the desert. It will be great if you take this picture during sunset. 

Final Few Words | How to Shoot a Perfect Desert Photography Image

If you follow all these tips and tricks carefully, there is a great chance to succeed. If you are a novice photographer and trying to develop your skills, maintain all of these tricks and try again and again. Keep a thing in mind that desert photography is always challenging and you just need some extra precaution.  

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FAQ | Desert Photography

Why is Desert Photography Challenging? 

We know that desert photography is always challenging due to extreme weather, heavy winds, and the fear of wild animals. Besides that, there is a chance of damaging the device. 

What is the Best Setting for Desert Photography? 

You need almost the same setting as landscape photography. The appropriate ratio could be f/8 and f/11. Besides that, we are suggesting you use low ISO. You can also check out the aperture priority mode and shutter speed. 

How Do You Protect Your Camera in the Desert?

We are suggesting you use a UV filter to survive in the desert land. It will protect the camera from heavy damage in the desert.