Deadvlei Photography Tips | Namibia

Over the last 10 years of landscape photography I have been lucky enough to visit some of the most iconic photography locations in the world. In this new series of short videos I look back at some standout locations and provide my insights, experiences and photos. The first video in this series focuses on Deadvlei in the Namib desert of Namibia which has become one of the most famous landscape photography locations in the world. If you’re planning to visit Deadvlei, I hope these tips are useful, if you’re not visiting, I hope it’s interesting enough to keep you watching :-)
Let me know what you think of the format - does it work? Does the lack of video footage from the location make it less interesting? Interested to hear peoples thoughts.
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[@beverleybirchley1534]

Off there next week. We’ll probably only get a single visit this time but your video will help us to get the most out of it. Thank you!

[@StephenStarkman]

Great video and concept James! I've visited Deadvlei once and I think your tips nailed it.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Stephen Starkman thank you Stephen 👍

[@talkingebikes]

Very useful. Namibia is on my immediate bucket list.

[@RobinWhalley]

Great video James. This is a great idea to share the location experience and very valuable. Often when visiting locations like this you need everything possible to get it right and you may only have one chance. I'm going to recommend this video in my monthly newsletter and I hope you do more.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Robin Whalley thanks very much Robin! Really appreciate that 👍

[@kingkong101100]

Useful for me as an amateur hobby photographer...I am planning to go there this December.

[@davidmccormack2227]

James, I enjoyed this. I think it works because you edited it so well. The images you provided were perfect examples and the movement you added to the images was tasteful. Well done! Best, Dave

[@JamesBrewphoto]

David McCormack thanks David - much appreciated 👍

[@scoellphotography]

Nice one James, think it works well, full of useful info and a good story so would be very useful for someone looking to visit, I know what you mean about rushing to a location to only find another massive hike

[@JamesBrewphoto]

VdubPhotogLife thank you! I've got a few other ideas for similar videos focusing on key locations

[@cherylhanna-truscott6222]

Very well done. I learned something about landscape photography (I'm basically a portraitist) even if I never get to Namibia.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Cheryl Hanna-Truscott thank you Cheryl. Much appreciated 🙂

[@ian_worth]

Excellent James, great idea about sharing your past experiences. I wish I could do the same for my travels, sadly they were all captured on film as it was some while ago. Excellent shots buddy from a stunning location.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

ian worth thanks very much Ian 👍

[@BosePhotography]

Love the black and white image at 7:34 James. This was a great idea for a video, a good way of covering some of those locations you've visited before starting the YT channel. Some really useful advice as well if we ever make it to Namibia! S.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Sam and Hannah Bose Photography thanks Sam! I was worried that it may not work so I'm pleased that it was engaging 👍

[@markboweringphotography4408]

That was a great vlog and a great idea to retrospectively talk about a place you have photographed. I have so many places I wished I had vlogged. As I get older and the grey matter is getting weak the vlogs are a real blessing for me to recap my journey. Look forward to your next one.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Mark Bowering Photography thank you Mark 👍

[@ChrisandSohee]

Excellent Video, Keep up the good work!

[@RalphGoldsmith]

Great idea for a format. I'm sure your tips and information will be invaluable to anyone planning a trip there.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Ralph Goldsmith Cheers Ralph

[@TheWorldofPierre]

Great video mate! Sometimes I feel the same ... overwhelmed. I stop worrying about shooting and just enjoy the moment.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

The World of Pierre thank you! Totally agree

[@brianmaneely]

I like the idea of the format, James. I've had a similar idea, though more about telling the story behind images. Great shots, too!

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Brian Maneely thanks Brian 👍

[@4rr44E]

Looks like an amazing place James. I too recently went to Iceland and didn’t document it in video - regrettably. But you did a great job with the photos you captured.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Thanks very much Steve! Iceland is a dream location for me. One day! 🙂

[@brucepnp1]

Your images were awesome with my favorite being the b&w. I found this video to be very useful and informative. I liked how you mention using a longer lens. Thanks for sharing.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Bruce Patterson Photography cheers Bruce 👍

[@acidsnow5915]

wow Namibia looks amazings! as usual some beautiful shots :)

[@JamesBrewphoto]

ACID SNOW thanks very much! Namibia is one of my favourite countries :-)

[@fredrikwardhoff]

Excellent video and stunning pictures of course... 👍🏼

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Excellent shot indeed thanks very much

[@CJamesPhoto]

Very useful info man, would love to go there one day... you got some very interesting and cool photos. Thanks for sharing 😁

[@JamesBrewphoto]

CJamesPhoto thanks very much! I would highly recommend it, Namibia is incredible!

[@veryjr2966]

Hi James- thanks for sharing. Enjoy this format since I believe one can benefit from other people’s experiences (or failures for that matter). Been there several times over a span of two decades and would agree in that it takes at least 2 nights stay to fully exploit the photographic potential even in this age where Apps like Photo Pills or TPE and google maps go a long way in helping to plan the stay and “pre- scout” / pre-visualize” the location. But as you said - once you’re there you’re overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and seemingly endless photographic opps that the key is to stay focussed and work the location. I find the biggest challenge to be taking images that add a different angle to what is arguably one of the most photographed location in Africa, perhaps in the southern hemisphere. It is literally photographed to death... I recall when I first saw the image by Frans Lanting where he contrasted the black tree trunks against the still sunlit dunes as a backdrop with a telephoto lens. It blew me away because here was a new angle (at least that’s how I perceived it). Keep going with this format - you deserve a way bigger subscriber base!

[@JamesBrewphoto]

very JR Thank you very very much! Massively appreciate your kind words. I was worried the concept wouldn't work so your comments are very encouraging indeed :-)

[@dwelker3778]

I enjoyed your presentation. Though not "live and on location," you provided images that helped to portray the location well and the added commentary on what to do if you are there was enjoyable.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

D Welker thanks very much. Really appreciate your feedback. I wasn't sure if it would work or not

[@TimKirkPhotos]

Amazing photos man! Thanks for sharing.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Timothy Kirk thanks Timothy 👍

[@derekgillan7314]

Excellent once again. thx

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Haggis Eater thanks Haggis :-)

[@DiegoMcCartney]

Thanks for sharing James. I’d struggle so much here that’d I’d just go for experience. 😂😂

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Diego McCartney haha a wise choice

[@TatianaCelticWind]

James, you took amazing shots in Namibia 👍 My husband has some photos from the same places you visited. Stunning!!! I would love to travel there for photography. At the moment I am trying to decide which camera to buy for landscape & wildlife (I live in Ireland). I watched your video on Nikon D7500 and D8500 they are both pricey. Would you recommend Nikon D5600? I want to get a clear picture if I need to print off photos in the future.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Thanks very much! I don't have any experience of the D5600 so cannot really advise on that. I would say that you can't really go too wrong with any of the Nikon cameras. In my experience they tend to always been reliable and deliver excellent image quality 👍

[@TatianaCelticWind]

@@JamesBrewphoto Thank you James

[@trembichmovingmoments8778]

Good style for videos, though you are very talented at vlogging and I hope you keep those up as the main focus. Cheers! =)

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Trembich Moving Moments thanks very much! I'll hopefully be back out shooting as normal tomorrow 👍

[@matrishva]

Thank you...going in August this year....thus will help. Shall I carry 14-24 f/2.8 lens ? Ofcourse am taking 70-200

[@silverpassion3588]

An absolute great video tips on photogrph Deadvlei. We are a grp of photographers and intend to visit Deadvlei. One of our interest is astro photography, ie shooting star trails and milkway using the trees as back drop. How is it possible to stay for the night (some star trails may take 3 hrs or more) since the 2nd gate closes ard 8pm if we understand correctly. Are we allowed to stay inside?

[@garrywilliams1619]

nice work, 😙👍

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Garry Williams thanks Garry

[@WayneRobertsonPhotography]

Great video James what an amazing place. You got some really nice images too, the black and white works really well 👍🏻 Looks like you got some fantastic light on the day you were there, well done.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Thanks very much Wayne :-)