There’s nothing quite like tearing across the dunes, sand flying everywhere, heart racing as the Nissan Super Safari tilts at impossible angles before sliding down a golden slope. It’s thrilling, utterly terrifying, and a chance to take some photos — if you can hold onto your camera long enough!

Yesterday we went to test our Nissan Patrol in the dune driving capabilities, and it did quite well. I took my newly acquired third-hand Fujifilm X-T4 along for a dune bashing ride in Al Qudra Desert, a spot just outside of Dubai known for its rolling dunes, desert lakes, and endless open skies. While it’s more famous for camping and cycling trails, once you go deeper into the dunes, it’s a playground for off-roaders. Naturally, I couldn’t resist capturing the action and collecting lots of sand in the Fujifilm XT-4 while capturing images of the desert.

It was cool to see the desert gazelles in their natural habitat. They were not particularly scared of us.

Why the Fujifilm X-T4 is a Great Al Qudra Dune Bashing Camera

Let’s be real – shooting while bouncing around in a car is no joke. But the X-T4 handled it like a champ:

• In-Body Stabilization (IBIS): Super helpful when the car is shaking like crazy.
• Fast Autofocus: Essential when you’re trying to catch cars speeding up and down dunes.
• Lightweight & Compact: Easy to hold, unlike a heavy DSLR that might feel like a brick flying around in your hands.
• Killer Film Simulations: I switched between Classic Chrome for a cinematic vibe and Eterna for that soft desert look.

Tips for Shooting Dune Bashing in Al Qudra

1. Protect Your Gear from Sand

Sand is sneaky and fine. Dubai sand gets everytwhere.

Only change lenses inside the car, unless you like to find sand in your sensor for days on end.

2. Use a fast shutter speed.

Dune bashing is all about speed, so you need a shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze the motion. If you want to catch the blur of sand kicking up, slow it down to 1/250s – 1/125s for a bit of movement.

3. Play with Light & Shadows

Lighting in the desert is everything:

🌅 Golden Hour (Sunrise/Sunset): The dunes glow and look incredibly cinematic. Best time for rich colors.

🌞 Midday: Harsh light, but deep shadows can make for some striking high-contrast shots.

🌌 Night: If you’re camping at Al Qudra, bring a tripod for some astrophotography. The skies out here are unreal.

Al Qudra might not be as extreme as the Liwa Desert, but it’s the perfect mix of wild dunes and easy access. Whether you’re just tagging along for a ride or planning an entire desert photography adventure, bring your camera along. Just watch out for the sand!

Have you ever shot while dune bashing? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your tips!

Anna