Abstract aerial desert photos

Why running out of fuel in a helicopter creates an uneasy feeling in Namibia. Aerial photography mayhem over the world’s most incredible dunes

- DAVID CLAPP

Deadvlei, Namibia. 08:05am. 5 September 2019

As a landscape and travel photographer I upgrade my tripod about every six or seven years. Despite the fanciest of carbon fibre designs, I now realize I am going to have to spend a lot more if I want to upgrade to the ultimate photographic tripod – a helicopter! I've always dreamed of photography adventures from the air. This was long before the convenience of small motorized wasps began offering this bird's eye perspective at a much cheaper cost, while ruining the soft sounds of a dawn shoot at the same time.

Drones are thankfully banned in Namibia’s national parks, but you can take a dawn chopper ride over the Namibia desert for the ultimate experience. Without a doubt this has to be one of the most incredible indulgences, with the opportunity to shoot abstract landscapes and wildlife from 1000ft up in the air, all with the doors off.