Singing Sand Mountain #1
Dunhuang, China
2016
These sand dunes are so-named because of the audible noise they make when the wind is blowing. It was calm when we were there so we did not get the opportunity to hear them sing, but then we avoided breathing in the blowing sand so there is that to be thankful for. Here I’ve created an image reflecting how I imagine a strong wind and blowing sand would affect the view on a blinding hot day.
Beautiful high key abstract! I had to look closely to see the lighter side of the dunes. Would be interesting to hear the dunes “sing” but the dust would be a definite drawback! 🙂
Thanks Kathy. I wonder what the sand and wind would due to my camera equipment. Nothing good I’m sure!
Although I haven’t been commenting, I’ve been enjoying your photos from China. I would love to hear the singing sand, and it would be worth it to have to be sandblasted in order to do it.
Have you been to the sand dunes in southern Colorado? How do these compare, size-wise? I find the subtle tone of whites and grays here very enjoyable to just sit and look at.
Thanks Carol. Yes the sandblasting might be worth it to hear the sand sing, for a minute anyway. I was at Great Sand Dunes National Park as a kid. Off hand I don’t know how they compare size-wise. I was very impressed by how tall these dunes were. Strangely I found no statistics on their height other than “dozens of meters.” They are something like 25km wide by 40km long, which constitutes a whole lot of sand. There’s less now than there was though as I think I brought about 1/2 of it home in my shoes that day.
I experienced a windy day in Death Valley once. My view camera was easy to clean but the lens I used that day needed to go into the repair shop. When I changed the f/stop you could feel the grit, grinding away.
I think the view camera was easier to clean than my shoes.
I wouldn’t think view cameras and lens have any reputation for being weatherproof. My Fujifilm camera and lens supposedly are. Wouldn’t want to put that to the sand test though. Either way it would be a bad deal to point the glass into the wind for any length of time–unless you like the pictorial soft focus look!