The Atacama Desert is a region in northern Chile touted as the driest, (or second driest-next to Antarctica) place in the world. It’s unique topography of volcanoes, salt plains and wind eroded geology makes it an interesting landscape. It is however a place where few clouds appear, and the sun is a predictable presence on a daily basis. For this reason, much of the photography happens around sunrise and sunset. In a few cases, like this one, shots taken during mid day are doable. In this case I excluded the sky and used the shape and shadows on the landscape for interest. I converted it to black and white just to see what it looked like, and throw in the color for comparison. I did do a little horse back riding myself but it is a dry and dusty landscape and the supreme advice for the rider is to be the lead horse, not the one in the rear!
![CHL-2128228](https://www.alaskaphotographics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/CHL-21282282.jpg)
Atacama Desert, Chile, South America, Canon 5D Mark II, 24-105mm f/4L IS, 105mm, 1/1000 sec @ f/4, ISO 200
![CHL-2128228-2](https://www.alaskaphotographics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/CHL-2128228-21.jpg)
Atacama Desert, Chile, South America, Canon 5D Mark II, 24-105mm f/4L IS, 105mm, 1/1000 sec @ f/4, ISO 200