Sossusvlei is one of the most photographed landscape hotspots in Southern Africa. This place is the home of some of the best desert landscape images around. On the one hand, this is a good thing because you expect to get good images when you go there and you will not be disappointed. On the other hand, does it make you a good photographer if your awesome images are the same as thousands of others from the same place? If our images do not stand out we are not any better than all the other photographers. So, how do we put things of a famous place together to end up with an image that is still clearly true to the character of the place but different from all the iconic images? In other words, I want to create an image that when people look at it they instantly know that it is a Sossusvlei image without feeling let down that the image is "just another Sossusvlei copy."

          This is difficult to do because it is a fairly small area and you only have to work with what is there. It is not as if you can walk this way or that way and dramatically change your vantage point. It is not as if you can find wildflowers or something strong in the foreground to create something different. This foreground does not change. Others have already shot the little differences in the crust of the ground. Let us look at an image:

This image classically represents Sossusvlei. Yet, there is something about this image that I have not seen in many other images from Sossusvlei. This image has a distinctive mood that creates a sense of wonder. The image is very simplistic. So, what makes this image different and what is it about the simplicity that gives it some wonder?

• Firstly, this image was taken in August, the windy month. This adds to the mood. Just look at the sand being blown around in the background. Many people do not go to Sossusvlei in August for photography but I like the effects the blown sand makes. Being sandblasted is not a pleasant experience but it is worth it for the images you can get.

• Secondly, the timing of the shot is really important. The wind blows in gusts. You want to time the taking of the image so that there is a strong gust in the background but prior to the gust getting to you. You want to take the image right as the gust begins in the distance. If you wait too long the sand just saps all the contrast out of the image. It looks like a dirty rag was in front of the lens. So, you want the action of the sand in the air in the background but you also want your foreground to be clear.

• Thirdly, and as usual, go early. This image was taken before sunrise. The faint clouds in the sky make this image. It adds to the mood. It adds color.

• Lastly, place something strong in the foreground.

When you get to the place you want to photograph look around. Spend some time just studying the place. Look where the action is (wind, color, interesting objects and elements). Shoot the action, even in landscape imagery.

          Go for simplicity but create some sense of wonder.