R A C E TO T H E W R E C K LEO FRANCIS
But as beautiful as the sand formations are, the sand is your camera’s enemy - it gets everywhere - you can’t stop it - it just does. As much as I love shooting ‘Race to the Wreck’, the event is not just about capturing great photographs. It’s also a chance to disconnect from the world and be off-grid for a while. In a world that is always connected, always on, it’s refreshing to be in a place where there is no signal, no Wi-Fi, and no distractions. It’s just you, your camera, and the desert. My all-time favourite thing about this event is the desert camps. Camping in the desert is an experience that is hard to describe. The silence is almost overwhelming, broken only by the sound of the wind blowing through the dunes. The stars in the night sky are brighter than you’ve ever seen them, and the Milky Way seems to stretch out endlessly. It’s a place that makes you feel small and insignificant, but at the same time, it’s a place that fills you with awe and wonder. As you can probably tell, I love the Namib and love shooting there - it’s a vibe. If you ever get the chance or the inclination for an off-grid, remote photographic adventure, the Namib is a place I’d highly recommend. Most importantly, don’t forget your bucket and spade!
54 the PHOTOGRAPHER / 2023 / Issue One
Images © Leo Francis
Issue One / 2023 / the PHOTOGRAPHER 55
