This is GREAT advice. I just got back from White Sands and all these tips are pure gold. I follow these tips when I shoot dunes, they really work. Especially Tip 4.5: Do not change lenses on the dunes!!!
Great tips as usual. Sand in focus/zoom rings are a costly repair. I use a rain shield and rubber band it tightly around the equipment to avoid this problem. If the weather is not looking great, I put it on before walking toward the dunes. If it's windy, I bury the tripod legs in the sand and frequently drape my bag or backpack around the tripod for extra support. When finished, I wait until I have returned to my car to clean the tripod legs before I collapse them. If possible, its best to rinse the legs off first, dry, then collapse them. Beautiful images Michael!
Great tips. My favourite images from my local dunes are just before golden hour. The light contrast between the shapes and the shadows is just phenomenal
Just finished “de-sanding” my gear with a brush and a Dyson after 2 nights wild camping at some remote dunes in South Wales. You do indeed have to embrace the sand 😜
During my recent trip to Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley I used the 70-200 F4 on my D500 (105-300 equivalent). My time was SO much more satisfying and productive than previous trips. It was blowing hard overnight and while on the dunes, we were first ones out in the morning, not a single footprint anywhere. Definitely agree telephoto is the way to go (learned that in one of your other videos regarding Mesquite Dunes specifically).
I recommend White Sands for your dunes excursion. Alamogordo is a great base camp 20 minutes away with good hotels and restaurants and supplies, the dunes are beautiful, you don’t need to walk far from your car for pristine dunes if you don’t want to, and the white gypsum sand photographs wonderfully. Just 90 minutes from El Paso Airport.
I am catching up on some of your videos. I love the tip ones. They are so focused, directed and succinct. All the tips are apropos of the topic and extremely useful. Great work.
I'll just put me and my gear in a plastic bubble and roll around on the dunes.....lololol. Great shots Michael. That amazing shot with the rain clouds, I remember you shot it with Nick Page. 😳
Great video Michael, I really enjoy the artistic creativity in your work, it’s highly inspiring and something to aspire to. Very positive. Many thanks. Pinder.
I shot White Sands last week using only a 50mm and occasionally an 85mm prime lens. I used a tripod and did some manual focus stacks that look pretty good so far. But on past trips I have used a 135mm to good advantage.
Scouting is all well & good, but the textures can change overnight depending on the wind. Also, if you run into problems with your tripod sinking into the sand try using old CDs under each leg to spread out the load and prevent the feet sinking and ruining the images due to tripod movement. That's IF you use a tripod (obviously).
That is definitely true for the smaller scenes, but I do find scouting very helpful for some of the larger scenes and arrangements of layers that wont change based on wind. I actually encourage people to scout less so for exact shots and more so just to pre-visualize ideas and compositions in a less stressful less time prohibitive situation. I just feel like its a little easier to be creative when you are not racing the clock for light. I haven't tried that CD trick, but I do have some in my car I could throw into my bag, I will try it out next time :). I usually dig the tripod into the sand a bit and with enough pressure it stops moving.
Man, two weeks ago I was out at the Oregon Dunes near Winchester Bay and I just couldn't find anything I found compositionally worthwhile lol. Plus I got spooked of bringing my lowly D5200 to get sandblasted.
A crunchy focus ring means it was a fun adventure ;) I hope next time you find some cool stuff next time. Sand dunes can definitely be quite tricky to compose.
You have gotten lucky!!! while in Namibia, my canon EF 28-300mm, definitely got damaged and i had to send it to canon for repair. Thankfully it was under $400 and my insurance covered it. But Great tips nonetheless.
I went to grand marais mi sand dunes and made the mistake of putting my camera bag on the ground and filled my bag with sand. Spent a solid 2 hours cleaning
One other thing. Look down, you miss incredibly interesting details that are right at your feet. I once captured a life and death scene left over when an Owl pounced on a Kangaroo Rat in the dark.
I shot in the desert in Huacachina, Peru. It was one of the best photo experiences of my life! I got sand everywhere but I loved it. The gear was ok.
This is GREAT advice. I just got back from White Sands and all these tips are pure gold. I follow these tips when I shoot dunes, they really work. Especially Tip 4.5: Do not change lenses on the dunes!!!
Great tips as usual. Sand in focus/zoom rings are a costly repair. I use a rain shield and rubber band it tightly around the equipment to avoid this problem. If the weather is not looking great, I put it on before walking toward the dunes. If it's windy, I bury the tripod legs in the sand and frequently drape my bag or backpack around the tripod for extra support. When finished, I wait until I have returned to my car to clean the tripod legs before I collapse them. If possible, its best to rinse the legs off first, dry, then collapse them. Beautiful images Michael!
Tomorrow I am going to see desert for the first time definitely gonna use these tips💜
Thanks Michael for this great tutorial and sharing your images. They’re stunning 🤩
Great tips. My favourite images from my local dunes are just before golden hour. The light contrast between the shapes and the shadows is just phenomenal
Thanks! :)
Just finished “de-sanding” my gear with a brush and a Dyson after 2 nights wild camping at some remote dunes in South Wales. You do indeed have to embrace the sand 😜
Sounds about right ;)
Great info seriously i need this man...thankyou
love the frequent uploads 🤘🏽
Thanks Jadon!
During my recent trip to Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley I used the 70-200 F4 on my D500 (105-300 equivalent). My time was SO much more satisfying and productive than previous trips. It was blowing hard overnight and while on the dunes, we were first ones out in the morning, not a single footprint anywhere. Definitely agree telephoto is the way to go (learned that in one of your other videos regarding Mesquite Dunes specifically).
Those images got me weak on my knees 💛💛💛
saving up for your timelapse course.. yeah, thanks for the youtube videos. ❤️
Absolutely beautiful images. I’d love to photograph sand dunes. One day I hope I get to.
I recommend White Sands for your dunes excursion. Alamogordo is a great base camp 20 minutes away with good hotels and restaurants and supplies, the dunes are beautiful, you don’t need to walk far from your car for pristine dunes if you don’t want to, and the white gypsum sand photographs wonderfully. Just 90 minutes from El Paso Airport.
I am catching up on some of your videos. I love the tip ones. They are so focused, directed and succinct. All the tips are apropos of the topic and extremely useful. Great work.
Some very tasty shots there mate. One day I need to go back there when it's windy.
Thanks man, lets go together man!
@@MichaelShainblum fo sho!
Your 5 tips videos are always informative and to the point! Your 5 tips for shooting sescapes was very helpful and I know this one will be as well! 👍🏽
I am so glad you find them helpful Lucho! Thanks so much!
Even though you only have 50,000 subscribers you have given the best tips so far, so thanks
Thanks so much!
Don't know that I've come across your channel before but your Madvillain poster made me a fan.
Great photos.
haha awesome, thanks!
Made my Day. Thanks for the Tips Sir 🙏🙌
Thanks so much! :)
Love your work!
Thanks man! Really love the one with the light rays you got. I still watch that one from time to time :)
Thanks so much!
I'll just put me and my gear in a plastic bubble and roll around on the dunes.....lololol. Great shots Michael. That amazing shot with the rain clouds, I remember you shot it with Nick Page. 😳
I just realized how fun it would be to roll around the dunes in one of those giant hamster ball things. Hahaha thanks so much!
Digging the Madvilliany poster!
Great video Michael, I really enjoy the artistic creativity in your work, it’s highly inspiring and something to aspire to. Very positive. Many thanks. Pinder.
Thanks so much! :)
keep on rockin, always enjoy the videos !
Thanks Marcus, glad you are enjoying them!
@@MichaelShainblum Definitely inspired me to get into timelapse !!
Great tips Michael. Thanks for sharing. I have made the mistake of using just a wide angle lens in the dunes, so I know what you mean.
Man I love your videos...
Thanks!
Excellent video. Would you recommend the following lens for Sand Dune photography: 24-70mm, 70-200 mm or 100-400mm. Would love your suggestion. Thanks
I shot White Sands last week using only a 50mm and occasionally an 85mm prime lens. I used a tripod and did some manual focus stacks that look pretty good so far. But on past trips I have used a 135mm to good advantage.
Well done Michael on weekly uploads, great tips! But sadly dunes are pretty hard to get here in England 😢
thanks! :) yeah I would imagine that would be a bit tougher out there. You could make sand castles on the beach?
@@MichaelShainblum Grains are too large, doesn't even stick. We don't have proper sand 🤣
Fantastic video! A small question…how do you manage dealing with the very fine sand dust that just seems to stick to everything it touches?
hi nice video ...how do you keep ur lens clean? how to you protect it from sand entering?
Scouting is all well & good, but the textures can change overnight depending on the wind. Also, if you run into problems with your tripod sinking into the sand try using old CDs under each leg to spread out the load and prevent the feet sinking and ruining the images due to tripod movement. That's IF you use a tripod (obviously).
That is definitely true for the smaller scenes, but I do find scouting very helpful for some of the larger scenes and arrangements of layers that wont change based on wind. I actually encourage people to scout less so for exact shots and more so just to pre-visualize ideas and compositions in a less stressful less time prohibitive situation. I just feel like its a little easier to be creative when you are not racing the clock for light.
I haven't tried that CD trick, but I do have some in my car I could throw into my bag, I will try it out next time :). I usually dig the tripod into the sand a bit and with enough pressure it stops moving.
Awesome photos!! thanks for the tips.. is this place death valley - mesquite sand dunes?
Sand for lunch and dinner! 😁
Man, two weeks ago I was out at the Oregon Dunes near Winchester Bay and I just couldn't find anything I found compositionally worthwhile lol. Plus I got spooked of bringing my lowly D5200 to get sandblasted.
A crunchy focus ring means it was a fun adventure ;) I hope next time you find some cool stuff next time. Sand dunes can definitely be quite tricky to compose.
I just went shooting sand dunes a few days ago 🤣 my video is coming out in a week but you have much better advice
I hope I get to shoot some sand dunes someday :)
It’s a ton of fun!
Yo the opening track was so good! Can you ID the song for me?
Good points. I have a quick question...what is the roll of tape for?
Thanks, its multi purpose, but mostly to fix or rig things.
You have gotten lucky!!! while in Namibia, my canon EF 28-300mm, definitely got damaged and i had to send it to canon for repair. Thankfully it was under $400 and my insurance covered it. But Great tips nonetheless.
What lens filter you used for dunes? Thx
your voice sounds so nice
which camera do you use?
Nikon D850 mostly
The desert has details that speak and tell stories, you won't hear and understand their story only through the camera used by a professional artist.
I went to grand marais mi sand dunes and made the mistake of putting my camera bag on the ground and filled my bag with sand. Spent a solid 2 hours cleaning
Respect for the MF Doom poster
I was out when he started talking about how dirty gear gets
Hi Michael
hello
Sand is a real pain. It killed my best Nikon right in mid shoot while out on the dunes.
One other thing. Look down, you miss incredibly interesting details that are right at your feet. I once captured a life and death scene left over when an Owl pounced on a Kangaroo Rat in the dark.