Perhaps the most famous landscape in Namibia, Sossusvlei and its neighboring Deadvlei provide a dramatic desert scene that draws photographers from around the world. The vivid, orange-red dunes of Sossusvlei are some of the highest in the world, rising over 300 meters. Capturing these dunes at sunrise or sunset, when the light creates sharp contrasts between illuminated sand and deep shadows, is a must.
Just a short distance from Sossusvlei lies Deadvlei, a white clay pan where ancient camelthorn trees stand against a stark backdrop of cracked earth, deep blue sky, and towering red dunes. The contrast between the white pan, black trees, and vibrant dunes creates one of the most surreal and striking landscapes on the planet. The minimalism and stark beauty of this scene make it an ideal subject for artistic landscape photography.
During our landscape photography workshop, we make sure to visit at different times of day, under different light conditions, so that we make optimal use of the photogenic nature of these sites.
2. The Raw Beauty of the Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast, named for the numerous shipwrecks and whale bones that litter its shores, is one of the most desolate and haunting places on earth. Fog rolls in from the cold Benguela Current, cloaking the desert landscape in a mist that adds a mysterious quality to the scenery. The coast is dotted with rusting shipwrecks, wind-sculpted dunes, and rocky outcrops that make for powerful compositions.
For photographers, the Skeleton Coast offers a unique blend of rugged ocean views and barren desert landscapes, providing opportunities for both seascape and desert photography in a single location. The coast’s remote and unspoiled beauty challenges you to capture the essence of isolation and untamed wilderness.
3. The Ethereal Kolmanskop Ghost Town
Few places in the world offer as much atmosphere as Kolmanskop, a once-thriving diamond mining town now reclaimed by the desert. As the shifting sands of the Namib Desert engulf its abandoned buildings, Kolmanskop has become a hauntingly beautiful destination for photographers. Sunlight pours through broken windows, casting dramatic light and shadow over rooms filled with drifting sand.
Kolmanskop’s eerie blend of history and nature offers photographers a chance to capture the passage of time, decay, and the relentless power of the desert. The textures of the weathered wood, the peeling paint, and the swirling sands create an abundance of visual interest, ideal for creative compositions. Every room and hallway tells a story of abandonment and reclamation, making it a playground for photographers who enjoy capturing moody, evocative scenes. With its unique appeal, Kolmanskop is a somewhat eerie but essential element of a landscape photography tour in Namibia.
4. The Quiver Tree Forest at Keetmanshoop