Salar de Uyuni; Bolivia - A unique place to visit and photograph – Photography Tips.
Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in WORLD, at just over 10,500 square kilometres (4086 square miles), and about 25 times the size of the Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA. Salar de Uyuni was formed during the uplift of the Andes mountains, and is surrounded by many other mountains with no drainage outlets. Salar de Uyuni is estimated to contain 10 billion tonnes of salt, although only 25,000 tonnes is extracted annually – leaving plenty left for the rest of us to admire, photograph…and if you really want to... taste!
Standing on the large expanse of salt for miles and miles gives one the impression of standing on a blank piece of paper, but instead of the nothingness one might associate with white paper, you catch yourself staring at awe at the beautifully shaped polyhedral figures of salt formed on the ground beneath you; the impressive mountains so far away that they only break the horizon slightly and the amazing blue sky which contrasts so brilliantly with the white crystal salt that you are lucky enough to be perched on.During the rainy season, the polyhedral figures disappear, immersed by about 20cm of water, and instead the white paper morphs into a huge mirror.
Without a doubt the salt flats provide a fantastic opportunity for photographers of all abilities and those with avid imaginations. Here are a few tips for taking original and exciting photos:
· If you have a DLSR camera, try to set your settings manually so that you have a large aperture (an aperture of f/22 will increase depth of field, as opposed to an aperture of f/4.5)
· If you possess a wide angle lens – use it, as this will allow a shallower depth of field (i.e. subjects further away will appear more in focus)
· If you have a simple digital camera, try to focus in between the objects, so that they both appear in focus.
· Be original! Choose props which you think you can do something with. For example – in the canon shot, an ashtray was used which was in the shape of a canon. Even an ear bud can make quite an effective prop.
It is very easy to take incredible pictures with any camera – because the scenery itself is so incredible
When is the best time for Photography?
All year round of course! But if you’re looking for something in particular to photograph then:
· The month of December is when the Flamingos appear, so it is possible to observe large quantities of these beautiful birds bathing and feeding at the Coloured Lagoon.
· The rainfall is low between April to November – however, some water still exist on the salt flats during these, so it is possible to photograph both the dry white salt, and the amazing mirror effect created by the water.
· The best time during the day is midday. During this time the sunlight is stronger, the colours are more intense, and you do not get shadows in your photos – perfect!
· Sunrise and sunset offer amazing photography opportunities, the colours are unique and the landscape is impressive.
For another great South American adventure - why not cycle down "the Worlds Most Dangerous Road" - intrigued? See this video, and I am sure you will be persuaded..
http://www.youtube.com/user/nopalot2012?feature=mhee#p/u/0/xSXx1shnBK4
