weekly-update

December 2011

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:05:31 +0100

I missed out on visiting the farm in December, instead we spent time at the coast near Knysna. This gave me opportunity to test out the new photographic equipment I purchased - a from Dad to Dad gift. I bought a Hitech Pro 10 stop Neutral Density filter with two graduated filters - 0.9 and 0.6 density. Since buying them I've just never had a good opportunity to test them properly. Well holiday at the coast is the perfect place with time on hand and plenty of scenic beach to explore. Then you have to wait for that magnificent sunset or sunrise..... and wait and wait.

I eventually got out on a promising day lots of cloud at 7 in the evening. I arrived at the spot and it was pouring with rain. I toyed with the idea of leaving but decided to stay, what the heck. The wait was rewarded with this amazing display of light. I just wish I could get to the point at Gericke's, but I did not have rain protection for my gear (gift idea!)

Reversed ND 0.9 filter on the 17mm. Shot at 17mm, f14 exp 0.8sec

I still battled to get a good photo with the 10-stop filter, certainly not a matter of slapping onto the front of the lens and firing away! One has to do a million things before you can release the shutter. Forget one simple step like closing the view finder and the shot is ruined. There is a steep learning curve lying ahead but I'm looking forward to it.

Hitech Pro 10-stop. Shot at 17mm, f13, exp 30 sec

November 2011

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:34:58 +0100

Inspiration returned! On Friday I experimented with some night time long exposure images.This image was shot across the river towards the Magalies mountains, the bright light on the horizon is courtesy of Rustenburg.

The African Olive Pigeon is one of the beautiful birds on the farm and the largest of the local pigeons.

Macro like all types of photography require time and the right equipment. I used a set of extension tubes to be able to focus closer to the spider. Evaluating the images I noticed the dabbled sunlight caused some over exposed highlights on the web. I created a diffuser to soften the light using an ordinary white serviette:-)

October 2011

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:17:56 +0100

On Sunday the Kudu came out to play, their main intent was to snack on the lusern but the young bulls enjoyed a few mock battles in the river in front of the lodge. Unfortunately they were in the shade with a very bright sunlit skyline, not the most perfect light, but at least it was nice and soft on them. We have at least 20-30 very tame kudu around the lodge, lovely to see these gracious animals so close up. When you walk or drive in the bush they're not as relaxed.

September 2011

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:32:39 +0100

I got myself a birthday present a Canon EF 100mm f2.8 macro lens. Now the little things in life will start to matter more. Amazing thing about this lens is that suddenly one's whole perspective changes. On the farm I'm used to scan the distance for game or birds now the stuff I want to photograph is around my feet and tiny in comparison.

August 2011

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:01:55 +0100

The resident Brown Hooded Kingfisher contemplating it's next meal. These birds are mostly insect eaters and will perch and watch for movement on the lawn. This one gave me an opportunity for a photo before flying of to a more productive spot.

New Updates

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 05:39:25 +0100

There has been a long delay in updates, work and other responsibilities kept me busy.

A beautiful spider with the perfect background. The butterfly is a Southern Monach, they are very plentiful on the farm.

Weekending 23-25 July 2010

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:56:12 +0100

I liked this photo of a simple animal, because of the great background and the way the f5.6 seperates the subject from the background.

When posting to the farm photo blog I prefer to show photos taken on the farm. Obviously this is not always possible because I do like going to other places or sometimes one just don't get the shot worth posting. This weekend was a good one. We celebrated my mom in law Marthie's birthday. I managed a few interesting photos which I think are worthy to share.

Aloe grandidentata, are in full bloom, a lovely variation on the dull winter colours.

We were walking in the riverine bush looking at picnic sites when I noticed this tree fungi. The sun rays hit it at the exact moment I walked passed, minutes later it was gone. They don't just look pretty, fungi help to break down wood and mulch, releasing mineral nutrients back into the soil!

Weekending 16-18 July 2010

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:54:31 +0100

Weekends at home can be challenging photographically, we sometimes get very stunted in our creative views. I noticed the lavender is flowering, some of the few flowers out at this mid winter stage. I waited for the light to improve and took up position at the hedge ready for the bees to appear. I set up the camera on a tripod, with the trusty Canon 300mm F4 IS lens and pre-focussed on some flowers with a full flower background. I had to avoid the houses and other unnatural items in the background. You cannot chase the bees, they are to fast and erratic, you just have to play the waiting game.

Seeing photos of bees frozen in flight looks so easy, but they never hover long enough at one flower. And there are hundereds to choose from! Eventually I got this one which I'm happy with, but there is definitely room for improvement.

Weekending 2-4 July 2010

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:19:52 +0100

I’ve had 3 weekends of hectic hospitality looking after the Soccer World Cup visitors staying at the lodge which belongs to my in-laws. This was my contribution to our country and the World Cup – we had a blast but I’m still considering it tougher than my day job. On the 16th the family and I took a breather to the Pilanesberg, a stones throw from Rustenburg. We had an excellent day but nature photography and kids don’t go together. I was so exited by the caracal and some of the African spoonbill photos that I immediately started devising a plan to get there again. During the week we had Peter and his girlfriend over for dinner. A plan was hatched and we were off – a bit early as we arrived before gates opened. We had a great morning spotting a new species – the brown hyena - before lunch.

We also got some amazing photos of birds during the day. I struggled a bit with the birds in flight, it is a learning experience I’ll get there. Only way to improve is to get out and practice!

Throughout my life I have always been close to nature, maybe not in the bush often enough. In all my years I have never seen a wild leopard. This day in Pilanesberg I thought i had a good opportunity but then we got so involved with the birds I forgot about leopards. By the time we had to leave to get the gate open the light was gone , huge shadows cast by the remnants of the volcanic crater reduced the light further. We were driving back to the gate and had the car lights on. We drove past a spot called “red rocks” and in the fading twilight I spotted something on the huge rock. I got my binoculars out and it was a big male leopard. The light was gone but luckily I had a pre-programmed setting on my camera for moments like these, to get as much light in as possible. Cranking the sensitivity of the sensor up to ISO 1250 was the only unused variable on my camera. This is not ideal nor is it the maximum on the Canon 40D, but seemed to be the best for useable results. It still delivered shutterspeeds way too slow for a sharp image.

I took photos of the leopard on the rock but through the magnification of the lens (almost similar to a 8X binocular) noted a metal rod infront of it. I thought I was stuck with that image of a leopard with man made product. My luck improved the leopard got up and started to move up the rocks and I got this image of it jumping a good 2 meters effortlessly. Afterwards while assesing my images on computer I thought I lost out on something decent. I then realised this image has something different to the pure sharp well lit images we always see - looks like an oil painting to me and without any Photoshop editing required. Seems God smiled on me and painted this.

Weekending 25-27 June 2010

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:40:33 +0100

Ghana vs Australia

This weekend saw the end of the campaigns of a few teams supported by the wonderful guests who stayed with us. Australiadid not make it to the round of 16, they did well and were denied by a few bad decisions that went against them. I had a good time with the Aussies, thanks for staying with us. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your Africa tour!

England qualified but were again denied by dodgy decisions and a better team on the day. At least I can say the guys who stayed with us were of better character than some of the team members ;-)

It is now only Ghana’s Black Stars keeping Africa's hopes alive. Good luck for the quarter finals!