As well as the a7R series from Sony, I’ve dabbled in a few other a7 models along the way. The a7S was a particularly interesting experiment. For those who don’t remember (or know) the S series is (was?) Sony’s twist on the full frame mirrorless range which prioritised low light performance over resolution. The sensor may “only” have been 12MP but the benefits for both stills and video in low light from this alternate design were huge. I had it out with me in Antarctica where it created some cool shots, but it was probably this one from Africa which most stands out in the portfolio.

The a7S

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2014-09-18 13:44:40
• CameraILCE-7S
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time30
• Aperture
• ISO1000
• Focal Length
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

The coast of Namibia, where the desert and sea collide. Quite a contrast!

Sand and Sea

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2014-09-24 20:53:27
• CameraILCE-7R
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/2000
• Aperture4
• ISO64
• Focal Length33.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

The “floor” in these abandoned buildings in Namibia, isn’t really the floor, it’s an accumulation of sand over time that is slowly filling the structures. I assume that if I were to return sometime in the future, I’d find the whole place gone. Consumed by the desert, waiting for a future civilisation to find once we’re all gone.

Consuming Sand

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2014-09-23 04:04:59
• CameraILCE-7R
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/20
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length12.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias-1.7

Okay maybe “ancient” is the wrong word… I’m not even really sure how old something has to be before that word can be used… maybe relatively-ancient! Or just “abandoned”… Anyway, this amazing old-timey bowling alley is inside that ghost town in Namibia where the sand dunes have overrun the entire place. Because this is mostly underground and protected on the leeward side, it has yet to accumulate any significant sand inside.

Ancient Bowling Alley

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2014-09-23 19:46:13
• CameraILCE-7R
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/6
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length39.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias-0.3

What a place this is! I did my best to try to give a scale of the dune by showing a small group making the ascent. And, honestly, they are only halfway up that beast. I walked up the same dune with our group, but a different direction. The direction we chose was steeper, faster, and it made me want to curl in a ball and cry until the world was better again.

Hiking in Namibia

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2014-09-25 19:50:37
• CameraILCE-7R
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/350
• Aperture6.7
• ISO320
• Focal Length59.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias

The sand dunes in Namibia are a sight to behold. They are among the highest and oldest dunes in the world, some reaching up to 300 meters tall! The dunes have a variety of colors, from pale yellow to deep red, depending on the mineral content and the time of day. The dunes are constantly shaped by the wind, creating curves and ridges that contrast wonderfully with the clear blue sky.

The Textures of Namibian Sand

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2014-09-24 23:03:32
• CameraILCE-6000
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/400
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length84.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias

One great thing about a zoom lens like this 70-200mm for landscape photography is it allows this nice effect called “compression,” where you can do effects like this. The technique brings in the two layers of sand dunes from beyond and make them look more dramatic. I kept a little bit of light on the back sand dune to give a clue that I didn’t just Photoshop in a darker background. I don’t do that sort of thing, even though I could.

Deadvlei, Namibia

Alone In the Desert

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2014-09-25 19:07:16
• CameraILCE-6000
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/1000
• Aperture4
• ISO100
• Focal Length138.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias

This is a rather unique Quiver tree, on the edge of the largest canyon in Namibia. Every one of these trees is totally unique, and one never looks like another. They feel a bit like humans or words in that way, and how they work in context to one another and the environment is as interesting as their individual shape. One evening, the sky was as clear as still water and everything came out in context behind and through the tree.

Visrivier Canyon, Namibia
TreyRatcliff.com

fibonacci

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2014-09-18 13:44:40
• CameraILCE-7S
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time30
• Aperture
• ISO1000
• Focal Length
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

A study of light, shade and texture.

The Shadowtrees

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2014-09-24 23:43:40
• CameraHERO3+ Black Edition
• Camera MakeGoPro
• Exposure Time1/2200
• Aperture2.8
• ISO100
• Focal Length2.8 mm
• FlashNo flash function
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias