Atacama
In the fall of 2014, I boarded on a trip to Chile and made sure to visit the Atacama Desert. My primary aim was to witness and document the star-studded skies, known as one of the clearest and brightest on the planet due to its minimal light pollution and exceptional atmospheric conditions.
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But I was even more surprised when exploring other attractions in the region, such as the Valley of the Moon, the Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, Laguna Cejar with its salt-rich waters perfect for floating and Los Flamencos National Reserve. What a place! Not only did I capture breathtaking images of the cosmos, but also gained a deep appreciation for the desert’s natural beauty and its importance as a world-class location for astronomical observation.
In the opening shot you can see golden tufts of grass called paja brava, found in the high-altitude regions of the Andes and renowned for its resilience in extreme conditions. The imposing volcanic peaks in the background, part of the Andean volcanic belt, outline the desert landscape with dramatic silhouettes. The picture of a tourist bus in the background features one of the two sinkholes known as Ojos del Salar. Unlike the saltier lagoons nearby, these pools are often partially fed by fresh water, giving them this distinct greenish hue.
I love how the colors and minimalistic compositions in these pictures came together to create such unforgettable moments.
Camera: Nikon D5200
Lenses: Tokina AT-X Pro 11-16mm f/2.8 DX II and Nikon AF NIKKOR 80-200mm
Filter: Graduated Neutral Density