Dawn Light at Ellery Creek (Limited Edition - Larapinta Light Collection)

Ellery Creek is one of the most popular stops on a trip through the West MacDonnell Ranges from Alice Springs, for good reason! Over thousands of years this deep, cold waterhole remains where the creek cuts through the ranges; float between the towering red cliffs, surrounded by ghost gums.

This panoramic image was captured before dawn light, using a long exposure of 10 seconds per image to ensure enough brightness. The cliffs of Ellery Creek can be tricky to photograph in the harsh sun, and I prefer to use the even light of pre-dawn to be able to capture the detail and colours in the shadows that often the eye cannot see.

I arrived on the sandy banks at around 3:30am, with plenty of time until the sun rose. I experimented with some night time shots whilst waiting for the right light. 2 sets of glowing dingo eyes moved around me whilst I drank my morning coffee on the bank of the waterhole - a special experience I won’t forget! 

Limited to 20 editions as part of the “Larapinta Light” Collection - An Adventure through the West MacDonnell Ranges & Beyond. Appreciating the open desert landscapes of Central Australia, including Uluru Kata Tjuta, the Larapinta Trail and West MacDonnell Ranges. A uniquely Australian landscape full of surprises!