Storm clouds in the Simpson Desert

[loose cannon]

Was lucky enough to cop some rain while in the Simpson, enough to scare me but not enough to cause problems, so that was a bonus.

Here's a snapshot of my camp site captured later in the day, I'm set up just to the left of the track where it changes colour. Look for a white speck!






The storm clouds provided some nice light to work with.

(EDIT: This next one looks a bit dull now, might have to give it a tweak...just pretend it looks really good )

[Barkly]

Nice pics - can see your campsite. Seeing you were on your own did you have a EPIRB or sat phone?

[loose cannon]

Cheers Terry. A mate lent me a sat phone for the trip. Nice to have but not entirely necessary imho, I've survived 40 years without one.

Someone will come by eventually and I can't see the sense in everyone having a sat phone. I reckon it's more important and relevant to have a good working knowledge of your vehicle, good collection of spare parts and tools and the ability to use them. Plus sufficient food and water to allow for a serious breakdown or problem, I was good for at least a month at all times.

Had a centre bearing on the drive shaft collapse on the Anne Beadell track hundreds of kms from anywhere. Replaced on the side of the track no problem. Never replaced one before but had spare and two workshop manuals to guide me. And if I hadn't had a spare I had a workaround to get me home anyway.

I think sat phones can install a false sense of security that can bring its own problems. Folks rely on them too much rather than learning some skills for remote area travel. Good to have if you can afford ( I cant) but not as important as good bush skills.

[Ironwood]

I like the colours in that last scene, and the dead tree is a legacy of the harsh environment. What left the footprints on the track in #1 ?

[loose cannon]

Footprints? Just some loser hobo hippy guy who doesn't have a proper job and needs a haircut.

[Ironwood]

Ahh, so you walked back up the hill. With the fresh looking tire tracks I thought you must have driven

[Alan]

Another wonderful series Mick.

Love the track in #1, but would like to see a bit more work on the sky maybe?,

#2 Looks really good! Love the sky

#3 The clouds continue to follow the 'Rain God' - lucky you to get dramatic skies

Did you get a closer/lower shot of that tree against the sky? (as in #2)

Keep them coming

Cheers

[loose cannon]

The first is just a happy snappy really, terribly overexposed and tricky to fix that sky.

I have a few more tree shots from the edge of the salt lake which I'll share later. Haven't been happy with the processing of this series captured on that morning and have been sitting on them for six months but have the Nik Collection back on board now, am happy with the lappy and comfortable with photoshop CC so will get stuck into them soon.

I have a few from this series that I want to print so want to do a good job. These are files from the Sigma DP2 and processing is not as simple as from the Canon 7D, colours in the RAW files can be all over the place but the end results can be pretty sweet once you establish a workflow.

Good memories from this spot. Camped for two days but all the best images came during one 20 minute period of sweet light on day two in the early morning.

I didn't get low enough for any of the shots with hindsight, good comment Alan! Hopefully next time.

I knew the light wouldn't last and did charge about the place without putting enough thought into what I was after.

A gentle controlled panic.

[bill jolley]

For no 2 I don't have to pretend, those clouds are fantastico. Bill

[Isac]

The country we live in certainly offers up some brilliant photo ops Mick. Up to your usual high standards. I do appreciate your work. thanks for sharing. #2 for me - great contrasting colours.

[loose cannon]

Thank you Bill and Isac.

[P Plates]

Can understand why rain would worry you in that environment and can see your campsite - just. #2 and #3 are stunning Mick. Such beautiful colours in the earth and those amazing clouds. Glad you found a dead tree in #3 - wouldn't have near the impact without it.

[Toddyh]

Awesome country and #3 the standout again for me. Starting to think I'm a sucker for those vast style photos.

[loose cannon]

Can understand why rain would worry you in that environment and can see your campsite - just. #2 and #3 are stunning Mick. Such beautiful colours in the earth and those amazing clouds. Glad you found a dead tree in #3 - wouldn't have near the impact without it.

The storm turned out to be quite tame in the end, maybe 5 mm but it looked liked it might deliver 50mm. Definitely one of those 'Uh oh!' moments of the trip.

Agree about the tree, provides scale and interest even though it's small in frame. It confirms the harshness of the terrain and works as a counterpoint to the storm clouds. Had a few to chose from along the bank of the salt pan so that was good.

Awesome country and #3 the standout again for me. Starting to think I'm a sucker for those vast style photos.

Thanks Todd. I like the wide stuff too but found it incredibly difficult to capture, shoot too wide and everything becomes tiny in the frame, use a longer lens and you lose the space.

Lots of images deleted when I got home but hopefully I learned a lot.

[Toddyh]

Lots of images deleted when I got home but hopefully I learned a lot.

For me that's what it's all about. If you get a few good ones amongst the lot then that's great too.