The Jebel Shams Mountain in Oman soars to heights of 3,000 m above sea level, making it the highest peak in the country. It is a popular destination all year round; in the summer, it provides an escape from the heat due to its cooler temperatures, whereas in the winter, it can get cold, almost freezing.
This photo was taken in January of this year during an overnight camping trip. I like to spend a weekend in the area now and then, both for photography and trekking. It is possible to camp close to the edge of the famous Oman Grand Canyon, a deep canyon 1,000 m deep that drops into the Wadi Nakhr below.
I woke up before dawn to set up my camera and tripod, anticipating the first light of the day hitting the western face of the canyon. It was bitterly cold, but I managed to endure the low temperature while enjoying the crisp air and the associated great visibility. In the summer, with the heat and dust, the atmosphere is much fuzzier.
As soon as the sun crested on the eastern side of the canyon, I started to take some test photos. I had framed the image to include the vast chasm of the canyon below, while showing a small tree on top for scale. I set my wide-angle lens at an aperture of f/8 to ensure enough depth of field and my camera at base ISO. Furthermore, I always shoot in RAW format for maximum quality.
After this early morning session, I went back to my campsite for a well-deserved hot coffee and breakfast.
