Plan around the light, not the schedule
Desert photography lives and dies by the light. In the middle of the day the sun is high, the dunes look flat and the heat haze softens everything. In the golden hours just after sunrise and just before sunset, the same dunes turn amber, the ridges throw long shadows and the whole landscape gains depth. The single best decision you can make is to be in the dunes for both of those windows, which is exactly what a 3 day Merzouga tour from $107 delivers with a sunset camel ride and a sunrise from camp.
We are an independent guide, not the tour operator. These tips are about getting the most from whatever trip you book rather than selling you a particular camera or course.
The shots worth getting
The camel caravan
The classic image is a line of camels crossing a dune ridge against the low sun. Shoot it slightly into the light so the figures read as silhouettes and the sand glows behind them. Get low, close to the sand, to exaggerate the ripples in the foreground. This works just as well on a phone as on a full camera.
The lone dune and the human scale
A single curving dune with one small figure at the top tells the scale of the place far better than an empty landscape. Place the person off centre and let the sweep of the ridge lead the eye. Early and late, the shadow side of the dune goes deep blue while the lit side stays gold, which is what makes these images so striking.
Protecting your gear
Fine Sahara sand is the enemy of cameras and lenses. Keep everything in a sealed bag between shots, resist changing lenses out in the open and fit a cheap UV filter so the front of your lens takes the hits instead of the glass itself. Carry a small blower to clear dust and a microfibre cloth, and never rest gear directly on the dunes. Our what to pack guide covers the wider kit list.
The night sky
One of the real rewards of a desert camp is the sky after dark. With almost no light pollution the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye and the star count is astonishing. To photograph it you need something to keep the camera still, a tripod, a beanbag or a flat rock, plus a wide lens and a long exposure of fifteen to thirty seconds. Modern phones in night mode capture far more than you would expect, so do not skip it just because you only have a phone. Stay up past the campfire and let your eyes adjust first.
Timing and seasons
Clear skies and comfortable temperatures matter for photography, which is why the shoulder seasons are ideal. Spring and autumn give you stable weather, soft light and bearable heat for hauling gear up dunes. For the detail on when the dunes look their best, see our best time for Erg Chebbi guide.
Ready to shoot the dunes?
Compare Merzouga tours that put you in the dunes for sunset and sunrise, with free cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
The golden hours just after sunrise and just before sunset are by far the best. Low light makes the Erg Chebbi dunes glow and casts long shadows that reveal the ripples and ridges in the sand. Midday light is flat and harsh, so plan your key shots around the camp sunset and the dawn over the dunes that a 3 day tour gives you.
Keep your camera in a sealed bag when you are not shooting, avoid changing lenses out in the open and use a UV filter to protect the front element. Fine desert sand gets everywhere, so a simple cloth bag, a rocket blower for cleaning and not setting gear down on the dunes will save you a lot of grief.
Yes, and it is a highlight. Far from city lights the desert sky is extremely clear, so the Milky Way and thousands of stars are visible to the naked eye. For photos you need a tripod or a steady surface, a wide lens and a long exposure. Even a recent phone in night mode can capture a surprising amount.
