Sand dunes are fascinating and they can be very photogenic. How do we bring the best out in them?

Here are some tricks and tips to help you make some impressive sand dune images:

• Sand dunes need to be shot when the light is really at a low angle (early morning or around sunset). This makes one side of the dune bright and the other side dark (in shadow). It creates contrast. It creates a sharp ridgeline (the human eye always follows lines). If you are close to the sand, low light brings out the texture. It makes the ripples in the sand more pronounced. This kind of light brings out more of the color in the sand. Your number one thing to remember when shooting sand dunes is low angled light.

• Include something for scale. Without the fully grown and reasonably tall trees in the foreground you would not have any idea how tall this dune is. It is the trees that give you a sense of scale. The scale provides the wonder because this is a tall dune.

• The ridgeline is usually where it is at for photography.

• Flat diffused light does not flatter sand dunes.

• Sand can ruin your gear. Be careful changing lenses. Keep your gear covered when not in use. Also take care of yourself, take and drink lots of water.

• Be careful. These sand dunes may look lifeless at first glance but beware, there may be snakes. We encountered a sidewinder on these dunes.

• Equally dangerous are people. They may not be dangerous for you but they are for your photography. Including a human in your image may enhance it but bear in mind that humans leave footprints and too many footprints ruin sand dune images. They tread a sharp ridgeline into a flat one very quickly.

How about getting some great sand dune images?