The Dead Sea is shrinking. Fast. If you look at photos of Dead Sea shorelines from the 1980s and compare them to what you see on Instagram today, the difference is jarring. You’re looking at a drop of about one meter every single year. It’s a geographical tragedy, honestly. But for photographers, this receding waterline creates something surreal—a playground of salt chimneys, crystalline jagged edges, and sinkholes that look like they belong on Mars.
Most people show up at a resort in Ein Bokek, take a selfie floating with a newspaper, and call it a day. They miss the real magic. They miss the "Salt Pearls" and the deep turquoise canyons that only appear when the light hits the water at a specific, punishing angle.
Why photos of Dead Sea salt formations are harder to take than you think
The glare is brutal. You’re standing at the lowest point on Earth, roughly 430 meters below sea level. The atmosphere is thicker here, which filters out some UV rays—that’s why you don’t burn as fast—but the reflection off the white salt is blinding. It acts like a giant natural softbox, but one that wants to blow out your highlights and ruin your exposure.
If you want those "National Geographic" style shots of the salt mushrooms, you can't just point and shoot. You need a circular polarizer. It's non-negotiable. Without it, the glare off the water's surface hides the intricate salt lattices growing just beneath the brine. Professional landscape photographers like Erez Marom have spent years documenting these changes, often venturing into the more dangerous, non-tourist areas where the ground is literally collapsing into sinkholes.
The sinkhole phenomenon: A beautiful danger
Let’s talk about the sinkholes. They’re terrifying but visually stunning. As the Dead Sea recedes, freshwater from the surrounding mountains flows underground and dissolves the subterranean salt layers. The ground just... gives way. From the air—specifically if you’re using a drone—these sinkholes look like colorful eyes staring back at you. They range from deep ochre to bright emerald green, depending on the mineral content and algae present.
But here is the thing. Do not just wander off into the "dead" zones to get the shot. People have disappeared. The ground is unstable. If you're looking for those dramatic aerial-style photos of Dead Sea sinkholes, stick to the marked viewpoints or use a drone from a safe distance.
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Timing the light: The 15-minute window
Golden hour at the Dead Sea isn't like golden hour in Paris. Because of the high mountains of Jordan to the east and the Judean desert cliffs to the west, your "light" disappears much faster than the sunset time on your weather app suggests.
In the morning, the sun pops over the Moab mountains in Jordan. It’s sudden. One minute it’s grey, the next it’s a furnace. The best photos of Dead Sea salt structures usually happen right at dawn. The water is often dead calm—hence the name—acting as a perfect mirror for the pink and purple sky. By 10:00 AM, the heat creates a haze. This "dead sea haze" is basically evaporated moisture and minerals hanging in the air. It makes long-distance shots look mushy.
If you’re shooting on the Jordanian side, you get the benefit of the sunset hitting the Judean mountains, turning them a fiery red. It’s a different vibe entirely.
The salt crystal "Mushrooms" near Dead Sea resorts
You’ve probably seen the photos. Those white, circular platforms of salt that look like stepping stones in the middle of the blue water. Most of these iconic spots are located near the hotel zones in the southern basin.
Wait. There's a catch.
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The southern basin isn't actually the "natural" Dead Sea anymore. It’s a series of evaporation ponds managed by Dead Sea Works. The water level there is maintained artificially for mineral extraction. While it’s where you’ll find those famous salt mushrooms, purists argue the northern basin—where the water is receding naturally—is where the real raw beauty lies.
Technical challenges: Salt will destroy your gear
Salt is the enemy. It’s not just "salty" like the ocean; the Dead Sea is roughly 34% salinity. It’s oily. It’s caustic. If you get a drop of this water on your lens, it won't just dry off. It leaves a thick, greasy smear that can actually etch into lens coatings if left too long.
I’ve seen photographers lose thousands of dollars in gear because a tripod leg wasn't rinsed. The salt crystallizes inside the locking mechanisms and seizes them shut. Permanently.
- Rinse everything. Bring a gallon of fresh water just for your gear.
- Don't change lenses. The wind picks up fine salt dust. Use a versatile zoom like a 24-70mm or 24-105mm.
- Use a filter. Better to ruin a $50 UV filter than a $2,000 piece of glass.
Modern perspectives and the environmental "death"
Documenting the Dead Sea today is basically act of photojournalism. We aren't just taking pretty pictures; we're documenting a disappearing world. Organizations like EcoPeace Middle East use photography to highlight the water crisis. The Jordan River, which used to feed the sea, has been reduced to a trickle due to dams and irrigation.
When you're framing your shot, look for the "bathtub rings" on the cliffs. These are the white mineral lines that show where the water level used to be ten, twenty, or thirty years ago. Including these in your photos of Dead Sea landscapes adds a layer of narrative that goes beyond "look how blue the water is." It tells a story of ecological shift.
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Exploring the "secret" spots
If you want something different, head to the Ein Gedi area—but be careful. The old resort beaches there are mostly closed because of—you guessed it—sinkholes. However, the abandoned structures, like the old lifeguard towers standing hundreds of feet away from the current water line, make for haunting, surrealist photography. It looks like a post-apocalyptic movie set.
Actionable steps for your next visit
If you're planning to capture high-quality photos of Dead Sea regions, don't just wing it.
First, check the moon phase. A full moon over the Dead Sea is bright enough to hike by, and long-exposure shots of the salt under moonlight look like a frozen alien planet. Second, get a waterproof bag for your phone or camera. Even if you don't plan on going in, the "oily" splash from someone nearby can be a nightmare.
Third, and this is the big one: wear water shoes. The salt crystals at the bottom are sharp. Like, "cut your feet to ribbons" sharp. You can't focus on a composition if you're bleeding into the saltiest water on earth. It stings. A lot.
Finally, look for the contrast. The Dead Sea is all about the juxtaposition of the harsh, white salt against the deep, heavy blues of the water and the burnt oranges of the desert rock. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the scale, but don't forget a macro lens for the salt crystals. They form perfect cubes and geometric patterns that are mind-blowing up close.
Take your photos, but remember to put the camera down for a second. The silence out there is heavy. It's a place that feels old in a way most places don't. Capture that feeling, not just the pixels.