Kolmanskop in Namibia is a fascinating place. In fact, Namibia is a fascinating country. If you would like to take a photographic workshop from me in these very places click on the workshops menu item located at the top of the site. This ghost town is situated in the desert. When I say desert I mean sand and nothing else. The place looks dead, lifeless. When an entire scene looks a certain way try to find something that suggests the opposite. It creates a healthy tension in the picture. It makes the viewer ask questions. So when things look dead and lifeless search for signs of life. Juxtapose the life in contrast to the dead. Here is an example:

The plant introduces life into a scene that seems to suggest that life has left. It brings interest, questions, and mystery. In this scene it bring color to the colorless background.

          The same idea can be used on many other fronts. When everything is frozen find something that is not. When everything is flowing find something that is not. Show contrasts. Try to find that which seem impossibly opposite.

          Here is another scene that would suggest death except for the contrasting evidence of life. The life makes the image dynamic. It raises questions: what made the tracks? Did the animal belonging to the one set of tracks go after the other? Did it survive? How does it survive in this place? Am I safe standing here?

          When we add life to the dead we end up with dynamic imagery, imagery that is evocative. Always be looking for contrasting opposites and attempt to capture them.