I have a confession to make… I am addicted to Photography.
Could it be said that everyone out there has an addiction of some kind?
You might be addicted to your work… I know I am.
You might be addicted to coffee… I confess I am addicted to awesome coffee.
There are all sorts of addictions, and I feel you will know something in your life that you are addicted to as well.
But I also feel that you can be addicted to locations or places.
That place that just draws you in and keeps pulling you back to see it time and time again.
There are so many stunning places which could be my favorite place in Australia, but if I needed to zero in on just one location, it would be easy.
My favourite place in Australia and probably the world is a section of sand dune in the eastern end of the Simpson Desert which like all sand dunes, is constantly changing.
As a photographer, I usually travel with groups of people to these regions like the Simpson Desert photographing vehicles, or expeditions.
I tell so many people I am travelling with about this location and hope they will see what I see. Now everyone sees things differently. But when you convince people to head to a sand dune at 4 am just to watch the sunrise, you are hoping they will be impressed. When all you can see are smiles, you know it’s a special moment for them as well. It’s just so rewarding.
I have been here during 11 trips across the Simpson Desert, and I will usually try to photograph this one location multiple times during my travels because it’s just that good.
Just what makes it so good? It could be seen as a simple sand dune. It has some amazing shape, but it also has history for me as I have captured so many images of this dune and shared amazing times with so many people.
The experience I have shared with many, includes sometimes driving to the site at night, then walking the nearby wall of the dune in total darkness. Finding a spot on the dunes ridge line before looking southeast with whatever camera you have, and just waiting. Waiting for everything around you to come to life. The sky and the landscape will start to glow. Some people will be concentrating on capturing the scene on camera and some will just take the moment in and enjoy what is being offered by nature.
The sky could be clear or full of beautiful clouds, but as the light glows on the horizon, the spectacle builds and so do the emotions in people’s faces.
Now that’s rewarding.
As though these people have been energized by the rising sun, it’s funny to watch as most people end up celebrating on the sand dunes in many different ways.
Maybe my addiction to this location is just part of a bigger picture.
It’s part of a huge journey which has filled my life with joy and amazing opportunities.
Is it the 4WD… I’m know I am addicted to that!
What’s your favorite place?
I’d love to know people’s favourite place, so please let us know in the comments below.
“Cheers”
-Michael EllemOffroad Images
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