I have started this blog with the word “panic”

The reason? Photographers at some time PANIC, how do I know this PANIC?  Because it happened to TWO photographers at the same time at the same place with the same vista in front of us

Time:  Two minutes before Gate close

Place:  Addo Elephant National Park

Situation: Two photographers, myself and my great friend Dutch Photographer Guus Quaedvlieg (www.spiritsofafrica.nl )

We had spent the afternoon in the park and as it was gate closing time made our way towards the exit. As per normal it was the last minute “dash” to ensure we made it.Around the last bend before the gate this scene – a beautiful sunset with a herd of Elephant in the foreground.

A deep Red Orb of a sun, perfect sky and Elephant as a subject. Pull my car to the side of the road and position Guus and myself for that “perfect” shot. Guus was in the seat behind me so we both had the same view.  What followed was rapid clicking, more clicking, then moans and groans, more clicking, followed by curses.

“Have you got the shot Guus”?

No he mumbles, similar grunts from myself, we both must have taken at least 50 shots of the scene.  Swear words, more curses!!!!

Time to move on.

The reason for all the angst? Neither of us was ready, or prepared for this once in a lifetime chance of a great photograph. I had the wrong lens but never thought of changing it, the same with Guus, wrong camera settings, no window mount or bean bag. We had both switched off mentally because we thought that was the end of the day’s photography before we arrived at the scene. The Panic that set in was a blind panic, not thinking, not checking settings, and not changing lenses.

We drove away from the scene, through the gates, on towards main camp. I stopped the car, burst out laughing at what had just happened, two so called photographers messing up big time. It was a lesson well learnt; never relax until that first beer is in your hand at the rest camp or tent.

This valuable lesson has stayed with me ever since, I now have two cameras near me at all times,  one with a 400 mm lens and the other with my Canon L 105.

How much does luck play a part in a good photograph, I believe “being at the right time right place” does have a ring of luck about it.

This photograph again taken in Addo had a great element of luck, the chances of the Ostrich being captured directly between the Elephants legs?  Was very pleased to sell this image to Canon for a princely sum!

Planned photographs?

This highly emotive image was a result of planning, taken in the Kalahari. The evening before we had stopped next to an Eland that was in obvious distress (that year 2009 there was a mass die off of Eland in the Park )

The next morning before dawn we made our way to the scene, to be greeted by at least 12 Black Back Jackals on the Eland  carcass.

Both images taken in the sweet early morning light that all wildlife photographers love (Of interest, these two photographs were taken with my at the time “stand by” camera, the reason, it had the right lens for the distance, another case of making sure you have equipment ready )

Being prepared, even at home for the unexpected can bring amazing results and in this case another sale of an image to Canon.

My camera’s are always ready for use in my cupboard. This Chameleon was taken on my veranda.  Another garden shot  I heard a “thump” noise  and just happened to look out of my lounge  window, this Red Breasted Sparrow Hawk had just hit a dove in mid flight. Rushed to get my camera, this image taken through the window.

Another method I have developed is for capturing birds in flight. In the Kalahari raptures are often found on the ground feeding, they normally fly off as soon as you approach them. After many occasions of missing the shot, decided another plan of action. Stop the car on sighting the bird, take light readings around the bird, set the camera on fastest shutter speed, and then drive ever so slowly towards the subject, knees steering!!!  The bird will always fly away, the stabilized lens will track the bird in flight, shoot off as many photographs as possible, this can be the result.

The Kalahari has been my most productive photography area, but Mkuze in KZN must rank as one of the best photography venues, the hide overlooking the water hole will bring the animals to you as opposed to chasing all over the country side. Perfect to place a tripod and relax.

A very useful tip I was taught a few years back for the bright non golden hours in the Kalahari is the Sunny 16, those mid day shots that are blown out and washed out can be saved by using F16. The Sunny 16 will give amazing warm results, with good detail

I really enjoy creative depth of field.

The Elephant photograph must rank as one of my favourites as the flow moves left to right into an out of focus Elephant head, similar with an old film shot of mine of the Jackal at a waterhole. The front Jackal out of focus and looking out of frame.

Steve Bailey

Steve’s Links

- Website: Steve Bailey Photography
- Images: www.pbase.com/mashona

Game Reserves that are inadequate in size to hold most big cats such as lion and cheetah, show evidence that they are occupied by leopard but the animals themselves are seldom seen.  This secrecy is their best defence against humans and other potential dangers.

There is no larger predator as elusive and shy as the leopard.  For many locals and travellers from abroad, the only memory of seeing a leopard is a blurry, fleeting image of the animal crossing a game park.  For others that are fortunate to visit the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, leopard sightings are frequent and abundant.

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is the oldest private game reserve in South Africa being formed in 1934.  The reserve is part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, one of the largest conservations areas in Southern Africa.  It has only ever been a wilderness area creating a diverse eco system encompassing a number of species including the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, and buffalo).

The 65 000 hectare / 153 000 acre reserve shares a 50km / 31.25 mile unfenced border with the world renowned Kruger National Park.  This immense area’s game viewing is second to none – nowhere in South Africa will one find a wildlife experience like the one experience in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve has been the base for most of my photography, with the reserve being particularly abundant with leopards, one of my great passions.  There are a number of leopards in the reserve that we could call “habituated”, meaning simply there are some individuals that are used to vehicles and do not feel threatened by them.

This behaviour is however due to consistent, respectful and considerate behaviour on the part of the people driving in the reserve.

Habituated animals are more commonly found in private game reserves.  In these reserves, vehicles are out on game drives daily, thereby creating a great deal of exposure to the animals.  It is thanks to this process that I have been privileged to be able to experience first-hand these otherwise elusive creatures whilst they go about their business, paying us no heed whatsoever.

Being able to spend extended time with these animals has enabled me to capture and share with you the images in this article.

I hope you enjoyed viewing my images as much as I did capturing them!

“Photography is the most powerful conservation tool on the planet”

Brendon Cremer

Brendon’s Links:

- Website: Bush Fanatix Photography
- Facebook: Bush Fanatix Facebook Group
- Website: Sabi Sands Game Reserve

My approach is dual fold. On the one hand I frequently travel to take Nature and Wildlife Photos to remind us as people of the very thing we aim to protect and conserve. During these trips I also expand my ever-growing contacts list (people ready to make a difference) and never miss an opportunity to educate people about the beauty of Mother Nature and the magnitude of threats challenging her due to Mankind. On the other hand I lend these very skills and experiences pro-bono to further the reach and effectiveness of as many Causes as I can work with. During the years some have become my most involved Causes and to date I am especially proud and committed as photographer for The Jane Goodall Institute South Africa (Animal Planet ‘Escape to Chimp Eden’). I am also part of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) South Africa (Animal Planet ‘Whale Wars’) and very recently People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta). I also work ongoing with instrumental individuals from the foremost South Africa Environmental Journalist Television  Series 50|50 on numerous stories that must simply be told.

‘Old Man Joao’ Jane Goodall Institute South Africa (Chimp Eden) With his distinctive looks, Joao is the oldest resident at Chimpanzee Eden and could even be the oldest in South Africa.  Joao arrived at the Maputo Zoo in Mozambique when he was 3 years old, left behind by a touring Circus company.  At that stage he had a companion but soon after the war broke out in Mozambique, the war lasted for more than 30 years and Joao saw it from start to finish.  His companion past away falling ill to an unknown virus leaving Joao in isolation from another chimpanzee until April 2006 when JGI South Africa convinced the zoo to release him to the care of JGI Chimpanzee Eden.

For more information and to make a donation go to http://www.janegoodall.co.za (Information courtesy of Jessica Ney)

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) Anti Fur Protest, 8 July 2010 Hyde Park, South Africa
For more information go to http://blog.petaasiapacific.com/skins/world-cup-coverage-united-we-stand-against-fur-cruelty
To join or make a donation go to http://blog.petaasiapacific.com

‘Seals Revenge’

The Namibia Cape Fur Seal Cull is happening and as we speak. An estimated 91,000 Seals are savagely clubbed to death annually in Namibia starting July, despite very few legit reasons left for this inhumane massacre. Be informed and join the action to stop this savage event. There is a Namibian Seal Cull Protest on Saturday, 17 July 2010 at Hyde Park, Gauteng, South Africa starting 11am.

As a Photographer and Activist I have committed my life to making a real change. “If an images can speak 1,000 words, then imagine how many words I can speak for those who cannot speak and stand for themselves. Silence is suicide, so with my Photography and travels I aim to educate and inspire and instill change.” DD. Oosthuizen | Devographic (Devoted to exposing and fighting De-Evolution).

How will we be remembered by future generations? Will we be the Generation that managed to kill the last animals and learn that you cannot eat money, or will we be remembered as the Generation that managed to find the courage to make a change and turn this all around. Will we walk in the footsteps of the Gods, or drudge in the demise of our own inactivity and greed?

Edmund Burke once wrote , … “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing”. This could not be more true today. In South Africa we pride ourselves as being united as a Nation of “Black and White under The African Sun”, yet we seem more distant to the plight of our Animals than ever before. In fact, it is in our African Culture and Tradition to be cruel to Animals.

“Zebra Sunset” – Pilanesberg Game Reserve

“Flyby Dawn” – Kruger National Park

So much is written and know about the Great Men of our Time. For instance, despite overwhelming adversity Nelson Mandela triumphed above oppression and walked the Long Walk to Freedom. Today South Africa is a much better country due to the courage of such men. We even hosted the top Sporting Event in the World, the World Cup Soccer 2010. However, whom will be the ultimate Champion and Saviour of our Environment and Wildlife?

There are so many unsung heroes fighting for our Animals and Environment Worldwide, yet they may walk past you in a crowd and you will not even recognise them. It is time you get to know your heroes and start supporting the Causes and Passions that have the potential to ultimately make changes to save our Wildlife and Environment.

“The Long Walk to Freedom” – Apartheid Museum, South Africa

“Ayoba Time” –  The South African World Cup Soccer 2010 Celebrations (Unifying a Nation)

There is so much to see and admire in our own country. Many people in South Africa dream about leaving for ‘greener pastures’. Most of which never bother to stop and see the beauty around us. The glass is half full people, and the time is now to make a difference. We are in the best position to turn South Africa into the most desirable of all.

Already so many people come to see our Animals and Wildlife, yet when they are all gone what will people come for. Corruption has lead to the highest Poaching Numbers in South Africa since the mid 1980’s.. Demands in Rhino Horn and the Bush Meat Trade are systematically killing the African Tourism Draw Card.

Not even our splendid Scenic Landscapes and fantastic weather will not save us when all the Animals are gone.

“Dawn Rhino Dual” –  Crocodile River, Kruger Park, South Africa

“Solitary Waterhole Tree” –  Madikwe, South Africa

“Table Mountain Lights” –  South Africa

“Sea Point Sunset” Cape Town, South Africa

“Marakele Mountains” – South Africa

At this stage we are on a Downward Spiral to oblivion, seemingly uncaring and obvious to the fact that when Nature and our Environment dies … we die! We are all part of the intricate web of live. Ripples in our Environment will ultimately spiral the intricate Web of our own lives out of control and the next extinction will be at our own hands.

At this rate we shall be the only initiator of our own extinction … and ironically life has shown to be far more perseverant that Mankind … life will ultimately find a way to continue long after Mankind ceases to exist on this Planet.

“The Downward Spiral” – Dullstroom, South Africa

“Web of Life” – Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town

The rate of extinction and de-evolution is  accelerating daily, so literally every day counts. If I can reach just one person daily and count on the viral-effect of my message then surely an Eco Warrior Army is sure to evolve from the ashes of our own ruin. Time to put our heads together and  think outside the r=traditional confinements to construct methods that will save lives and restore us as respectable caretakers of our Planet. Remember, we have so much to love for and so much beauty around us … do not let this go to waste.

“Tri-Zebra” – Mabula, South Africa

“Elephant Tussle” – Pilanesberg, South Africa

“Malachite Kingfisher” Mankwe Dam, Pilanesberg, South Africa

“Bateleur Eagle Stare” (Terathopius Ecaudatus) – Moholoholo Predator Rehabilitation Centre, South Africa

“Duality” – Sondela, South Africa

“Jurassic Pose” Yellow Billed Hornbill – Sondela, South Africa

“Cheetah Gaze” – Kruger National Park, South Africa

“Mirror Equids”  - Kruger National Park, South Africa

Stay well, stay true, always fight the good fight … making a real difference starts with you!

Best Regards,

David Devo Oosthuizen

David’s Links:

- Website: Devo Graphics
- Facebook Page: Devographic Facebook Page
- Twitter: Devographic on Twitter

DevoGraphic Activism Through Photography proudly supports:

- The Jane Goodall Institute South Africa (Animal Planet ‘Escape to Chimp Eden’)
- Sea Shepherd Conservation Society South Africa (Animal Planet ‘Whale Wars’)
- Seal Alert South Africa
- The Taiji Action Group: South Africa (TAG)
- The Animal Ambulance
- Ripples for Good: Motivating Change in our Waterways
- Fur Free Africa
- 50|50
- Beauty Without Cruelty
- Puppy & Kitten Haven
- Peta International
- Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS)
- AfriOceans
- The South African Vegan Society

Many people, although they haven’t been there, have heard about this strange hinterland where African bushveld merges with Namib desert in a marriage that produces one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. Covering a massive 900,000 square kilometers and spanning across large sections of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, this magnificent biosphere is home to a surprisingly large variety of life, from small to great and from root to mammal.

The Kalahari is a place of space, sand, silence and serenity. The space envelops you until you realise exactly how small you are in this vast expanse. The silence creeps into your soul and saturates you with a relaxation that is hard to describe. The red sand between your toes is surprisingly cool and makes you feel like you are now really in Africa. And then you experience the serenity…that deep-sighing “aaaahhhhh” feeling…

Now I’m sure many of my non-Southern-African friends are wondering: “What are the options for the intrepid safari-lover when contemplating visiting the Kalahari?” There are a few options indeed. If you’ve been to Botswana, you might be familiar with the Central Kalahari Reserve and places such as the Valley of Desolation, but the part of the Kalahari I want to introduce to you today lies to the Southwest of that famous park. I am talking about the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

A legendary park in the sense that it was the first “Peace Park” put in place after the initiation of Nelson Mandela as president of South Africa, and it paved the way for many more like it. Essentially, the old “Kalahari Gemsbok National Park” in South Africa (which was established in 1931) was merged with the “Gemsbok National Park” in Botswana, to form one gigantic wildlife reserve that would reopen and protect the ancient migratory routes of the countless herds of animals that traverse this vast region, chasing the rains and the fresh grass.

Now, for all the “5-star safari purists”, take note that the Kgalagadi is a self-drive destination…which means you will have to do a little more planning than usual. However, it can be a very rewarding experience, as you rarely feel more in touch with Africa than when you are sitting in your tent listening to a lion roaring right outside it! There is something special about finding your own sightings, having to learn how to read the signs of the bush, of the animals, and to read the spoor of a lion made earlier that morning in the dirt of the road…to experience this you need to step out of the comfort zone of a guided safari!

On the Botswana side it gets even rougher – you have to take ALL your supplies (water as well) and rough it out in the bush along 4×4 tracks and sleep in unfenced camps with no electricity where the predators literally come through and sniff on your tent flaps.

Enough ranting – let’s get to introducing you to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park…at least the South African side. The park is situated in the most northwestern corner of South Africa, where Namibia, Botswana and the Northern Cape province of South Africa converge. Now what makes the Kgalagadi such an attractive photographic location is the wide open spaces – if you have a good sighting you can keep it provided the animal doesn’t disappear over the dunes.

The park is basically composed of 2 dry riverbeds (these rivers haven’t flowed in more than 100 years or so), with multiple waterholes set up in the Nossob and Auob riverbeds to help sustain the animals when the rains cease and the long dry season commences.

Let me forewarn you – I am probably going to go against all blogging convention and give you a visual sensory overload today…not because I want to show off as many of my images as possible, but because the Kalahari is one of those places where talking about it alone doesn’t even give you a whiff of what you will experience. Showing you visual images that transport you there – now that will get you considering this destination much faster, will it not?

A major drawing card of this wonderful locale is the amazing photogenic qualities of the landscape. The contrasts of deep blue African sky, bright red sand dunes, yellow and green shrubs and iconic camelthorn acacia trees make for amazing landscape photography and also sublime backgrounds for your wildlife and avian portraits.

To quote the South African National Parks website: “Red sand dunes, sparse vegetation and the dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob show antelope and predator species off to spectacualr advantage and provide excellent photographic opportunities. Kgalagadi is also a haven for birders, especially those interested in birds of prey.” Even if you aren’t that avid a photographer, be warned – what’s beautiful to a photographer is just as beautiful to the nature lover who just wants to sit back and take it all in systematically.

As the sun sets in the Kalahari, barking geckoes chirp you into darkness, and in the distance (sometimes VERY close) you will hear the yelping of black-backed jackals and the roaring of lions, and maybe you will even have night-time visitor…in the fenced camps there are usually black-backed jackals and Cape foxes who find a way in to come and scavenge, and in the unfenced camps even lions and leopards visit you while you are sleeping snugly in a tent or wilderness chalet. The climate is what you would expect from a semi-desert.

The summers get unbearable hot during the day, and the night is quite cool. This only changes slightly during winter, when daytime temperatures can still reach the 25 degrees Celcius mark, and the night temperature drops to below freezing point. Luckily most of the rest camps on the South African side have now got crystal- clear swimming pools to assist with the hot daytime temperatures. This see-sawing of extreme temperatures is part of what makes this place so interesting – never a dull moment!

Due to its remote setting it is recommendable to book yourself for a lengthy stay – since you won’t want to leave soon in any case once you have been here. You can find more information such as tariffs, availability, traveling options and so forth on the South African National Parks’ website (link provided below). Do not be put off by the self- catering nature of a trip to the Kgalagadi…half the experience is making your fire under the African stars and putting a juicy piece of meat on the grill to prepare for your evening feast.

There are so many possibilities for photography in this wonderful place. The Kalahari is in fact much more than just the place where the famous black-maned lions roam and where cheetahs chase down springbok in the dry riverbeds.The big cats are plentiful and well exposed, but if you focus only on them, you will frustrate yourself. The Kalahari offers a little bit of everything for your photographic portfolio…small adorable critters like meerkats and mongooses, rare sightings like the brown hyena and honey badger, a plethora of birding, unbelievable sunrise and sunset light and of course BIG skies!

And if you think the daytime skies are endless, wait till you see the covering of the milky way at night. With almost zero light pollution this reserve has a nearly unparalleled vista of the expanse of the universe at night. The only place I have seen MORE stars was at the bottom of the Fish River Canyon in Namibia!

Here are few shots that epitomize these characteristics.

I really hope that my photos, or my descriptions, or a combination of both have inspired and motivated you to make sure the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is next on your hot- spot safari locations to gallivant off to. As you can see – I have really been taken by this place (and I have only gone twice since getting into wildlife photography – although another trip is on the cards already), and I hope some of that has rubbed off on you as you read this today.

Cheers for now!!

Morkel Erasmus

Links:

- Blog: SAFFAscapes (Exploring Southern Africa in HDR)
- Facebook: Morkel Erasmus Photography
- SANPARKS: South African National Parks

Photography is all about passion, I still have the same excitement that I had all those years ago. When I first picked up my camera, looking through the view finder to record that memory of an event. Pressing the shutter and hearing it click, not knowing whether that magical moment has been captured for ever!

Of course it has changed with digital photography, you can now see that special moment instantly. At least now when I go to Africa or any other trip, I’m not spending huge amounts of money on film instead it seems to be going on storage devices and laptops, but the rules of photography and the simple tips of getting great images hasn’t changed at all.

Teaching Photography can be as hard or simple as you want it.  I’m sure some night classes and articles make things so difficult that it often goes over the head of the new inspiring photographer who just wants to take better photographs.

Tip 1:  Getting the right equipment.  I have known so many people buy the wrong equipment and waste a lot of money just by not asking advice. When you are buying your first camera make sure it fits nicely into your hand and is not to heavy to hold for long periods of time. If the camera is too heavy you wont take it out! So what’s the point of having a camera ?

Tip 2:  Have the right lens to do the right job ! If you are a baker, you don’t use a hammer to bake a cake!  The same applies to photography you wouldn’t have a short lens to photograph something that’s in the distance. Lens are expensive so you need to decide what type of photographs you intend to use your camera for, i.e. a macro lens for close-up flowers and insects, a short lens 28-70mm for portraits and landscapes, a 70-300mm lens for distance etc., and always buy the best you can afford.

Tip 3: What length of lens do you need?  If you are going to use extenders on lenses to get a longer length, i.e. make a 70-300mm lens into a 140-600mm by placing a 2x extender or convertor between the camera and the lens, remember that it also changes your f stop on your camera lens. Many cameras will not auto focus when using extenders.  When adding an extender, the aperture on the camera automatically changes, a f stop of f2.8 becomes f5.6, and a f stop of f4 becomes f8, therefore altering the amount of light that reaches the camera.

Tip 4:  Is deciding what style of photograph you wish to take, i.e a vertical image (portrait style) or horizontal (landscape style). The same image can be total different by changing it from a portrait to a landscape. So take both and see which image you prefer, therefore creating your own style.

Tip 5:  What do you want to be in focus, all of the picture like a jigsaw puzzle, or just a part of the picture so everything else is blurred making that part of the image the most important.

By setting your aperture you control your depth of field, using that famous little ‘f stop’. By setting your camera to an f stop of f22 everything will be in focus, but as the lens needs to stay open longer to allow the light in the shutter speed will be low. Dependent on the amount of available natural light you may have to support your camera with a tripod to avoid camera shake and blurred images.  Alternatively if the aperture is set at f5.6 there will be more available light and a faster shutter speed will be achieved but only part of your image that you are focusing on will be sharp and everything else in the image out of focus.  So if your camera isn’t steady you will get camera shake !  This is where you need a tripod.

If you have enjoyed these simple tips then you will love :

My book 365 Photography Days.  It tells the story of awarding winning, freelance photographer Phil Gould, as he travels the globe in search of adventure. At the outset he sets himself the challenge of capturing a definitive image for each day, and these stunning photographs are accompanied by a journal-style commentary of the author’s journey.

This book is also a practical guide to photography techniques with hints and tips from an expert. Each day of the journey includes a photo tip, giving advice about everything from lighting techniques and camera settings, to groupings that work and images that sell.

From the majestic wildlife of the African plains and the awe-inspiring beauty of Antelope Canyon, Arizona, to the shanty towns of Rio de Janeiro and the plight of South African orphans, Phil details his journey with a refreshing honesty, humour and great compassion.  (Available from bookshops & online retailers, ISBN 9781846244599)

Phil Gould

Phils’ Links:

- Website:  Phil Gould Photography

It is time for post number two on the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and today I’d like to show you some images taken in and around the little town of St. Lucia.

This cozy little town is situated in the southernmost part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and claims to be the only town that its enveloped in its entirety by a World Heritage Site. or National Park.

That fact obviously makes one wonder: “How about wild animals in and outside the town, how does that work?” A very legitimate question, with an interesting answer: It all works out fine, except for the fact that about 1 person per year gets eaten by a crocodile! The town is bordered by the ocean on the East, by the estuary on the South and West, and the so called: “Eastern Shores”, which my previous post discussed, lies to the North of it.

There is a fence between the town and the Eastern Shores, to make sure the Elephants, Buffalo, Rhino and alike do not wander off into town to cause havoc. That said, we do have hippos roaming the streets of St. Lucia at night, and many establishments in town that are bordering the estuary have both hippos and crocodiles in their ‘garden’, and sometimes the latter make their nests there!

Then there is the birdlife: Given the high diversity of habitats, including the ocean and its beaches, the estuary and the various grasslands, wetlands and coastal dune forest patches bordering the town, we have a remarkable diversity of birds fluttering around our gardens here. “Our” gardens, because St. Lucia is indeed where I live, and I am loving it. Why?

See the photos below to get an idea of what we, and the many visitors to the town, get to see about every other day or so .

As a keen naturalist and photographer, these are scenes I never get tired of seeing.

Hippo getting upset in the Estuary.

Fish Eagle flying by.

A crocodile (one of the about 2000 adult crocodiles in the estuary/lake) basking on a sand bank.

Hippo’s doing what they do best.

A crocodile leaving the water with fishermen in the background.

Plenty of bats here in town. This is the Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit-bat hanging on the ceiling of our verandah.

Juvenile crocodiles often shelter and huddle up together.

The sun sets over the estuary, with the wakes from our boat adding some interesting pattern to the photo.

From Main Beach, one has a lovely view on Maphelane Dune, with 184 meters high being the second highest vegetated sand dune in the world.

Bees, like almost everywhere else in the world, also pollinate our flowers here

To conclude this post, please feel welcome to come and visit St Lucia. It is an excellent base from which to explore the region, including the Eastern Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. Activities in St Lucia include fishing, whale watching, turtle viewing, game viewing, birdwatching, kayaking on the estuary amongst 800 hippos and 2000 crocodiles, enjoying the beaches and of course photography!

The next post, after about a month or so, will discuss and show the lesser known “Western Shores” of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Keep well you all, and chat to you next time.

Kind Regards,

Nick van de Wiel

Nick’s Links:

- Website: Tailormade Safaris

From a very young age, my family and I have been great lovers of nature and enjoy viewing nature for the masterpiece that it is. When I received my first camera at age 11, I started looking at my surroundings with a different perspective.

At the age of twelve I joined the Outdoorphoto Internet Community and received my very own Canon 40D and 100-400mm lens. This amazing gift from a thoughtful friend gave me the chance to pursue my passion, and I will remember this kindness always.

For me photography is about capturing moments in time that will never be repeated again, and then sharing the beauty of that moment with the world. I also enjoy the thrill of adrenaline rushing through my veins when that perfect opportunity finally presents its self.

When out in the field I try to stay patient, and wait for the opportunity whilst keeping my finger on the shutter. In spite of this fierce focus I always remember to enjoy myself and the beauty surrounding me.

Some of my favorite photographic subjects include birds, carnivorous mammals and the smaller under-appreciated creatures out there like the Dwarf Mongoose. In the end I really love capturing any of nature’s wondrous creations.

During the last few years I have had some excellent photographic opportunities. These included photographing a pair of Cheetahs in sweet morning light, a group of Dwarf Mongooses play fighting right in front of me and a pair of Pied Kingfishers diving for fish in a small pool next to the road. Amongst them there is one that truly stands out for me, taken at Satara which is a prime area for predators and an amazing place for photography.

Early one morning on the S100 gravel road in the Kruger National Park near Satara, a huge male leopard came walking straight towards us. The light was overcast, which made the conditions less than ideal. It was an amazing sighting for a place like the Kruger National Park.

As he made his way towards us, I looked up and promised myself I will capture this precious moment. His eyes appeared full of pride, as he got closer. My heart started to beat faster and faster, while my finger stayed on the shutter. Waiting for that perfect moment when he looked up at me for a split second, and the shot was made.

I have met some great people through my photography and all their help and encouragement has always been a real inspiration for me. I doubt I could have got to where I am, if it was not for their support. I really look up to them. Some of them include: Rik Coetzee, Margo Coetzee, Allan Booysen, Isak Pretorius, Shem Compion, Mark Dumbleton and Basie van Zyl. There are too many to name in this article, so I apologize to those I have left out. My family has also always been very supportive to me and I appreciate that immensely.

At the age of 14 turning 15, I am starting to look at what the future holds for me. I plan to make photography a great part of it and maybe even teach other photographers one day to plough something back. In the immediate future, it is my hope to gain some international recognition for my work so that I may explore further opportunities to develop as a photographer.

Most of all I will share with people the beauty of nature, help with conservation and inspire others by example, as I have been by others.

Greetings,

Wynand van Wyk

Wynand’s Links:

- Website: Wynand van Wyk Photography

In stead of digging in the archives I thought I would post a shot I got yesterday at the lodge.  Shot at midday, when most people would tell you to put your camera away.

The image below shows Tsokwane, one of the oldest, largest elephants in Madiwke.  The old guy was hanging around our waterhole so I snuck off the deck and shot up at him to create a bit of a stronger angle.

When the sun is high in the sky you are going to have a lot shadows to try and work with.  There are two ways in which you can deal with this.  Get to a higher vantage point and shoot down on your subject or think of converting your images to black and white.  The heavy contrast has the possibility of working very well in a monochrome image.  Give it a bash and see how it works out!

As you know, tomorrow is guest post Thursday, and I have no doubt you are going to enjoy this one.

Wynand van Wyk has a good eye.  He creates amazing images.   He has a pasison for nature and the outdoors.  He has been published in the BBC Wildlife Magazine and Getaway Magazine.  And the most amazing thing?

He is only 15 years old!

Make sure to join Wynand tomorrow as he writes ‘The Beauty of Dreams’.

This is another Photo-Africa guest post you can no miss!

I’ll be back on Friday!

Gerry

I had posted some black and white photos on my blog and I think this is what caught Gerry’s eye, these images were useless to me in color so I changed them to black and white to get a stronger effect, but more of this later…

In the digital age most photographers will take a photograph and later convert it to a Black & White image. This process in itself has made people look at Black & white images as an afterthought, I am not saying that there is any thing wrong with this but with a little extra thought the photographs would have more impact. Changing a photograph in any way or form has been has been the center of many a heated argument in the photography world.

One of the fundamental things about being a wildlife photographer is being able to show in your photographs a true representation of what was seen out in the bush. So Removing the color from a image to create a black and white photograph is in it self digital manipulation. Now here is the big Grey area in digital photography, what can you do to your images on a computer and still show an ethical representation of the scene that you took a photograph of…

“I eagerly await new concepts and processes. I believe that the electronic image will be the next major advance. Such systems will have their own inherent and inescapable structural characteristics, and the artist and functional practitioner will again strive to comprehend and control them.”- Ansel Adams forward to his book “The Negative”, published January, 1980

I personally have two chains of thought on image manipulation – documentary photography and photography as art.

If you are documenting the lives of an animal as many wildlife photographers do, and then the image must be a true representation of that animals moment in its life.

Here is a short view on how I go about it…

Generally Allowed:

- Brightness/contrast control
- Color correction
- Cropping a frame to fit the layout
- Retouching of dust & scratches

Never Allowed:

- Adding
- Moving
- Removing objects within the frame

So taking away the color within a photograph would in my view be pushing the limits of documentary photography, but B&W images are generally expected as the middle ground between documentary photography and photography as Art… but I believe that B&W photography falls under the Photography as Art so when I convert a photo, I do so to make the photo as compelling as possible… not really worried of what I can or cannot do.

But not all photographs look good in B&W. Most people when going through there photographs on a computer will play with a few images turning them into B&W images, but for the best results you need to think about these images when you taking them to get the best possible results when you convert them later.

NOTE: As a wild life photographer you are documenting the lives of your chosen subject, they should be wild and free to live their lives with out restrictions. If an image is of a captive animal then it should be stated as such….

There are key ingredients that you need to visualize in a scene to make it work as a black and white photo. What i have done in the last few weeks is go over most of my photos stored on my hard-drive and look at them again in the idea of converting them to B&W images. I am not afraid to play with these images any way or form. It about what is visually pleasing to me, and the people that look at them.

Contrast

Contrast is really important, as your eye will naturally considerate on the various colors within the scene. But you need to look at the dark and light areas. What is the contrast between these areas and just as important is the shades between the lightest light and the darkest dark. The clearer the distinction the more impact your image will have.

Light

Key ingredient in any photograph and this is linked to contrast. But more importantly from which angle is the light coming in from. Direct light will add contrast. Sidelight will highlight textures and surfaces. Backlight will point of shapes, silhouetting them.

Shapes, Patterns and Textures

This is an area where a color photograph looses out on, as the different shapes in an image would probably be of a different color highlighting that way. but patterns and textures in a B&W photo really come to life.

Some tips to help when taking a B&W photo…

- Shoot in RAW: This offers the Superior control when an image is converted to B&W
- Shoot in color: Do the conversion on you computer – its just better but you need to think about it in your head as a black and white image when pressing the shutter button down.
- Low ISO: Even though a B&W image can be more forgiving when it comes to noise – try to keep it down and much as possible
- When to shoot : I found I get the best results during the gap of morning tea and afternoon tea, this a time of day when contrast is at its highest, but remember there must be shades between the lightest light and the darkest dark.

So I suggest going through your hard drive and converting a few images, as a starting point select the photos that where taken when the sun was high in the sky…. and don’t be scared by what people will say about digital alterations, the technology is there use it, just be able to admit it.

Etienne Oosthuizen

Etienne’s Links:

- Website: Photographic Africa
- Blog: Photography Africa Blog

These are, among many other some of the questions I ask myself when photographing landscapes.

When I’m out in the field, capturing the essence of the destination is my goal. Many different factors contribute to the success of a landscape photograph. Initially when I get out to a destination, I like to take time to scout the area, looking for unique charactersistics, planning and seeing how the light will fall on the landscape. Light direction and characteristic plays a major role in landscape photography, and can make all the difference between an amazing or very bland photograph. Spend as much time scouting out in the field as possible, walking, driving, whatever it takes to find that magic something to capture.

Getting a feeling for a destination and possibly “seeing” your images before you even have a camera in your hands will make all the difference when the light is at its peak.

I have been out shooting many times when the light peaks, and I dont really have anything to shoot. That results in a very dissapointing outing. Rather get out early, find your shot, set-up and be ready and waiting for when nature shows you its beauty.

The best time for landscape photography can be anything from an hour before sunrise to after the sun is up. The same for sunset, just before the sun sets until about an hour after the sun has dissapeared. Spectacular things can happen around these times, especially when you have some clouds present in your sky. When the sun is below the horizon, if the lights path is clear, it will reflect on the bottom of the clouds creating spectacular pink and red effects. These clouds can make for such an attractive element in your image.

The advances of technology has opened up so many different possibilities with landscape photography. One of my favorite things to do, is get out when the stars are out on a clear night. This can be such an amazing experience especially when there is no moon and no light pollution around. Positioning your camera facing the stars, with a setting of about ISO2500, f/2.8 and about a 25second exposure, you will be able to capture the amazing beauty of the heavens above. Combining this with a charactersitic tree for example, you have captured something unique about your destination. For example I travelled to the Richtersveld National Park recently, and in one photograph captured the amazing clear starry skies with a very characteristic dead Kokerboom tree. This is something you can associate with the destination. Try and find those unique characteristic and focus your attention on that.

I find with landscape photography, simpler can often be much more succesful. Having fewer elements can create a far more pleasing and interesting photograph, as you’re focussing the viewers attention on something specific. For example if you have an ocean scene with the sun setting, blurring the water can create a smoother, more ethereal less distracting element, allowing the viewer to focus his/her attention on the details of the rock and in the example below, the ship wreck. The light levels in the image below were very low, allowing for a very long shutter speed. You can also create longer exposures using nuetral density filters.

Image composition plays another major role in succesful imagery. Arranging elements within a frame is no easy task. There are no rules or perfect recipe when composing an image. Its all about finding what works best. I like to try include a foreground interest in my images. This acts as a base for my composition. Obviously its not always possible to include this, but I try as best as I can to include something to hold the viewers attention. Shapes and lines work well in images too. In the Ship Wreck image above for example, the rock leading from the bottom to the middle of the frame acts as a “lead line”. This line leads the viewers eye from the bottom and into the frame and moves the interest to from the rocks to the ship-wreck and sky very easily.

These are just a few important aspects of landscape photography, and there are many more factors to take into consideration. The main thing is to get out and about, seeing and planning as best as you can, finding that unique characteristic and dynamic of your destination to photograph in the best way possible.

Mark Dumbleton

Mark’s Links:

- Website:  Mark Dumbleton Photography