These massive sand dunes are located just outside the town of Dunhuang in northern Gansu province, northwest China. "Ming Sha Shan" means "Singing Sand Mountain, and the sand really does make a singing sound when it's falling down the dunes....
I took an overnight camel trek last night and we rode for a couple of hours into a more remote part of the dunes, where we had dinner and camped under the stars, which are incredibly bright and plentiful in this clear sky. After we arrrived at camp, the two of us climbed one of the dunes, and it was not easy. Even though only a few hundred metres high here, it took us more than 40 minutes to get to the top.
This photo was taken on the way back into town early this morning and is a part of Ming Sha Shan that most tourists (99.9%) never see. This region of Gansu is extremely dry and hot. There are no people here, a few lizards, and some brush plants. I'm just fascinated by the beautiful symmetry of these mountains of sand.
Exposure information: 1/200s f7.1. Polarizer used and some PS work to adjust lighting and colour.
This is an excellent shot of dunes. You have captured the shapes and shadows beautifully. I also appreciate the time you have taken to add the information in your "about". AJ
The best of all your dune shots, I think, as it has an ideal balance of earth and sky. The forms and textures of the dunes are the perfect contrast to the zen-blue sky.
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{K:49168} 9/28/2005
