Invasion of the dunes

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted March 10, 20082,004 views22 comments

In November and December I traveled in Namibia for a photo project I'm working on, and to make final arrangements for the photo trip I'm leading there in May this year.

One of the places we'll visit is an old and deserted diamond mining town near the Namibian coast. The dunes are slowly claiming back their territory, covering this little town with sand. The result is a very surreal and eery place, but stunningly beautiful.

As always, your comments are greatly appreciated.

D2Xs, AF-S 12-24, 3.6s @ f/16, ISO 100, tripod

Update: this image is now featured in the April 2011 issue of National Geographic as a double page spread.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Todd Caudle on March 10, 2008 at 11:39 AM

This is absolute magic! The light is extraordinary, the comp is perfect.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 472 Posts, 3705 Comments

Comment posted by David Cobb on March 10, 2008 at 12:31 PM

I've always loved photos from this place Marsel and your photo is absolutely beautiful.

David M. Cobb

Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on March 10, 2008 at 1:21 PM

Terrific image Marsel, and a really nice composition.

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by Mitch Erwin on March 10, 2008 at 1:24 PM

How surreal! What an absolutely fascinating place to see. Great composition and lighting to this is fantastic!

Registered on April 24, 2006, 98 Posts, 656 Comments

Comment posted by Jacco Rens on March 10, 2008 at 3:06 PM

Stunning picture Marsel, love the balance of light in this fine composition. It's the door that is half open, that finishes this picture!

Goed gedaan hoor! ;-)

Registered on November 18, 2005, 8 Posts, 108 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on March 10, 2008 at 3:23 PM

Absolutely fantastic image! What an amazing location, and your composition is awesome! I remember Darwin's image from this location as well. Wonderful image!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Windom on March 10, 2008 at 5:45 PM

One of the best M&N images I've seen.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 176 Posts, 2302 Comments

Comment posted by Mel Ladewig on March 11, 2008 at 3:51 PM

I've seen images from this area before, but this is by far the best I've seen (in my opinion).

Registered on July 24, 2005, 114 Posts, 1205 Comments

Comment posted by Winnie Ho on March 11, 2008 at 4:01 PM

Absolutely stunning! Fantastic lighting. The story helps, as I was not sure if this was real or recreated in a studio somewhere. I am fascinated by this. Have been coming back to look at it a few times. Do you know how long it will be before these towns are fully reclaimed?

Registered on January 6, 2008, 93 Posts, 1788 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Gloth on March 11, 2008 at 6:24 PM

Super image. Beautifully composed. Great light and color. Stunning shot.

Registered on August 29, 2007, 96 Posts, 1003 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on March 11, 2008 at 6:42 PM

Well spotted. The composition is great and the lighting perfect.

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on March 11, 2008 at 11:07 PM

Incredible scene. Congratulations.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Staubus on March 12, 2008 at 11:05 PM

I've been taking abandoned house photos for about 20 years and really appreciate a good one. This is about the best one I've ever seen! Very surreal. The indirect lighting was perfect.

Kent in SD

Registered on November 11, 2003, 121 Posts, 2098 Comments

Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on March 13, 2008 at 9:30 PM

Fascinating and beautiful, Marsel, love the colors and the texture / shapes in the sand, excellent comp too, well done

Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on March 14, 2008 at 5:49 AM

Thanks for all the comments, much appreciated.

@ Winnie: I don't think it will ever happen, because this place is protected. The government will never let this town disappear, it's just too special.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Sam Chrysanthou on March 17, 2008 at 4:05 PM

Beautiful colour and love the framing of the door within the door. You definitely capture the moody beauty in the loss of human presence here.

Registered on December 18, 2007, 71 Posts, 1191 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Dawson on March 17, 2008 at 8:49 PM

What a great image, the light makes this almost surreal, fantastic image and title!

Registered on February 4, 2006, 364 Posts, 8872 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on March 18, 2008 at 5:24 PM

Wow! Marsel! Eerie but beautiful is right! This has something of an Alfred Hitchcock appeal. I absolutely love the comp you created here. What a dramatic image and story about Nature. Congratulations on the photo and the EP for it! Just outstanding!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on March 19, 2008 at 5:04 PM

Beautifully done, Marsel! Prompts one to ponder how many ghosts have walked through those doorways. Congratulations on the EP!

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Darren White on March 21, 2008 at 1:01 AM

A fine art, decor image at it's best!!!!!

Registered on May 29, 2006, 193 Posts, 855 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Rouch on March 24, 2008 at 12:31 PM

Wow1 I'd not seen this before the EP. It's great. Congratulations on such an excellent production.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 159 Posts, 1014 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on August 20, 2011 at 4:37 PM

Reminds me of a Salvador Dali painting Marsel. Wonderful and original work!

I would call this "The Sands Of Time"...

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments