Help Shooting in the Desert.

[45R]

I'm going to do some shooting in the desert this weekend near Death Vally. I have a UV filter and the lens hood. Is there anything else I need that is essential for shooting in hot, dry areas.

TIA


45R

[Penguin_101_1]

Sunscreen and Water

:wink:

[Belmondo]

I shoot a lot in the desert (no choice), and the one piece of advice I would pass along is to shoot RAW. White balance can be really tricky, especiallyif it's a little hazy. RAW files are much easier to correct. Also, a CirPol filter can be very useful.

Greater concerns are your own tending to your own safety and comfort, staying hydrated, and maintaining the ability to keep your equipment out of the sun when it's not actually in use.

[45R]

Thanks guys. I have a 100oz CamelBak that I take everywere with me when I go shooting. Its alot of weight but H20 is a good thing!

Thanks for the advice on shooting in RAW. I really need one of those CF/HDD drives to drop files into when I am done shooting.

Shoot schedule.
Desert
Air Craft Carrier
Japanese Garden

Its going to be awesome!!!!!

[GPR1]

A polarizing filter is excellent for cutting glare and punching up skies.

Greg

[robertwgross]

I'm going to do some shooting in the desert this weekend near Death Vally. I have a UV filter and the lens hood. Is there anything else I need that is essential for shooting in hot, dry areas.


I would suggest a good camera. They come in handy out in the desert.

Last week in Death Valley the temperature got to F 122. That will bake your muffins! It gets so hot there that a photographer can't even think straight. I mean, just look at Belmondo! <joke>

I recommend to get up very early and shoot before and after sunrise, then quit for the period of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The exception is if a storm blows over the desert. If you can beat the blowing sand, the landscapes can be nice with a dramatic sky overhead.

---Bob Gross---

[Vegas Poboy]

You may want to invest into a good tripod, depending on the time of day that your shooting you may want to take to shots & layer them together. The first expose for the bright areas & the second on the shadows. If not look into a ND filter.

[rickyd]

Be sure to take a circular polarizer! I find here in the desert (Phoenix) that you get a real color 'POP' from the natural colors with a polarizing filter and IF you get a desert summer thunder storm the dark blue sky contrasted to brilliant white cumulus clouds is incredible. Remember the 90degree rule when using it. ie: polarizer most effective when pointed 90 degrees to angle of dthe sun. Good Luck.