15. Camel Thorn Trees, Namibia
Photograph or painting? This otherworldly image is a very real photo that was taken in the Namibian desert at twilight. While on assignment in Namibia for National Geographic magazine, Frans Lanting captured this surreal landscape image in a location called Dead Vlei. Due to the intensity of the sunlight falling only on the dune in the distance, while the foreground is still in early morning shadow, the trees are almost in silhouette and the photograph appears like a painting.
The orange background is a sand dune, called Big Daddy, that is almost 1,200 feet tall, creating a mysterious backdrop. The lighter spots on it are patches of white grass. The foreground is bluish and dark as a result of being in the shade.