Title: Photographing the Atacama Desert, the Andes Mountains and the Bolivian salt flats.
Speaker: Marcia Brandes
Description: The Atacama Desert in a remote area of Northeast Chile is one of the dryest places on the planet. The Uyuni Salt Flats in Southwestern Bolivia are considered the largest salt flats in the world. Separated by the formidable Andes Mountain range, both are difficult to get to, but worth the effort. They are unique and superlative locations for stunning landscape photography.
In February 2025, Marcia joined professional photographer Katsu Tanaka and 3 other adventurous photographers on an overland journey to both of these remarkable geologic destinations. Traveling in two 4x4 vehicles with drivers and a guide, the group spent 3 days in the Atacama before heading across the altiplano and over the Andes, at altitudes as high as 16,000 feet. Sometimes there were no actual roads – fortunately, the experienced drivers knew the way. Skirting flooded areas, they arrived at the Uyuni salt flats where they spent 4 days photographing the area.
What was there to see and photograph? Windblown dunes, horseback riders, flamingos, and more flamingos, the world’s highest (by altitude) geysers, the Andes mountains, vicuna and alpaca, lagoons and rock formations, a train graveyard, and spectacular sunsets over the salt flats (while standing in 6 inches of water.)
Marcia was inspired to find this photo trip after seeing one of the GNPA monthly webinars hosted by Lee Friedman. She hopes you will be inspired to travel as well after seeing her photos and hearing about her adventures.
Biography: Marcia Brandes is an accomplished photographer and public speaker. She is a longtime member and former board member of GNPA . She was a founding member of the GNPA Conservation Photography Committee and chair for 2 years. She is currently on the GNPA Communications Committee and handles the emails for the club. She is also on the board of Peachtree Corners Photography Club and a longtime member of SPS (Southeastern Photographic Society.)
As one of the owners and the artistic director of Phoenix Galleries, a wholesale art manufacturing company, for 33 years, she developed skills in product design, giclee printing, photography, Photoshop, and Lightroom. Her black and white photography has been sold to national stores and resorts. After retiring she has won prizes in photography contests in GNPA, SPS and PCPC.
Marcia’s passion is travel photography. She travels both independently and with small tours. She has visited 50 states and 7 continents and enjoys sharing both the culture and the natural beauty of the areas she visits. There is always something new to see and more to learn.
Please join us in this incredible journey with Marcia.
We showcase photos taken y GNPA members prior to start of meeting on the TV screen in the meeting room. Please submit two to three Travel photos taken by you in the following link.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oVh4GHWPlCqCSggsimi1eSOFcvtxnepH?usp=share_link
