Arrghh! Trying to adjust back to "Normal" life after our recent trip to Kenya.
That said coping with post trip depression can be a topic for another post!
The focal point of the trip was a Photographic Safari with Andy Rouse, 10 days in the Masai Mara.
Should you do a similar trip?
What's it about?
Andy Rouse is a well known British Wildlife Photographer who has made a name for himself on the world stage. If you are unfamiliar with his work then do yourself a favour and check out his website or check out his books on Amazon.
Andy like a few wildlife photographers also runs workshops & tours. The trips are a chance for us to get some tips and more importantly see how a professional works.
If you have read any of Andy's books or articles you soon get the feeling he is a down to earth kind of guy. There is none of the artistic pretence or sense of importance that surrounds some other well know wildlife photographers. The first thing that surprised me with Andy himself was that what you read is what you get. When we got off the plane at the airstrip in the Mara, Andy was there to greet us and help with the bags. That level of hands on participation was there for the whole trip.
The other thing that stands out is that he is very passionate about wildlife. Not just photographing it but wildlife in general. The welfare of the subject is of the utmost importance. If you are only interested in ticking off species shots no matter what the cost then a trip with Andy is not for you. If the animal in question is getting stressed or anxious the shoot will move on to give the animal its space.
Just because the trip has a casual atmosphere and a good sense of fun do not think that you don't get the goods. When you are on tour with Andy you get the full benefit of his vast experience. I never got the feeling that we weren't being told of a technique or composition because it was a trade secret or part of his "style". During the evening slide show we were given insights into the "How" on many of his iconic shots. When you are in the vehicle with him, he shoots with you. Andy really enjoys the teaching/interaction side of these tours and it shows.
Obviously to get the absolute most out of the experience you should have a good idea how to use that expensive DSLR and big lens. Still our trip had a mix of experience levels and Andy's assistance was tailored to the individuals. If you needed help with the basics you got it. Personally I got more out of the compositional side and what it takes to get the shot. You have to make it happen. Just being in the Mara isn't enough. Think about the shots you want with animals and ask the drivers to help get you in the position. The importance of knowing the habits of your subjects. This will get you in the position to "get lucky" and get that behavioural shot.
As they say the proof is in the results. 10 days, 10+ hrs a day in the field meant 8000 or so shots so I have some work to do. The results will show up here on the blog and of course on the website so pop by every so often and check them out.
If you love wildlife photography and you are serious about getting the best shots you can but want to have a fun time while you are doing it then you cannot go past a photographic safari with Andy Rouse.
If you have any questions about the trip or would like to know more than do not hesitate to post a question.
Since this reads as an advert for Andy's tours, I had better state that this trip was fully self funded and will gladly be paying for more trips in the future.
Monday, October 08, 2007
The Mara with Andy Rouse
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Airshow Photography: More than a dot in the sky
What the!!!
Whats this, this isn't Nature or Wildlife related.
Good observation.
There is only one thing that compares to nature and travel photography, and for me thats taking pictures of planes. Aviation photography
Even with big fast zoom lenses, you can still end up with lots of pictures of dots in the sky.
So today I am listing some techniques to avoid this.
Of course with the big fast glass you can get some fantastic shots of:
But you can still have trouble with aircraft in flight. This is particularly true of formation and aerobatic displays.
Nothing is more dull that a nice formation of dots, or worse a a slightly larger dot flying inverted.
The Solution
To alleviate this aerobatic aircraft are often fitted with smoke generators. This not only looks pretty but it leaves a lasting impression of the aircaft's flight path.
So How does this help me
You will only hear this once from me so take note:
Even with your big zoom, pull back. Try to get some of the smoke path in the shot.
If you don't have the glass then you can't pull back so you have to work your composition to include the smoke trail.
This gives the viewer an idea of what is going on. A sense of motion.
Even those lovely frame filling shots of an inverted plane are dull, they give the viewer no sense of the amazing aerobatic sequence.
By making room for the smoke trail the viewers eye can follow the path of the aircraft, thus giving life to your photo.
Next time you are at an airshow give it a try, you will get a lot of duds but some will work nicely.
The above shot is of Pip Borrman and his Edge 540 at the Barossa Airshow near Adelaide, Australia.
To see more of this style of shot check out the aviation section of the WildFocus Images website. Aerobatics, Airshows
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The joy of a modern DSLR
Sometimes we get some caught up in the pixel peeping and general online complaining about the latest issues with our favourite DSLR brands and we forget to smell the roses.
I got my first toy for the upcoming trip to Kenya the other day, the ever popular Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS L. In having my initial play with it, I came to smell to the roses.
What drugs am I on?? What am I on about??
As per usual my first play with a new lens is inside and at night. Why is this?
Well as noted in Shopping for Camera Gear I am not shy about purchasing online. Hence this lens was purchased online and it arrived while I was out and by the time I got a chance to play it was dark.
This is a f2.8 IS lens so I figured I should be able to play inside with it anyway.
So it was time to annoy the pets under the overtly warm glare of the 100watt globe with no flash, hardly prime conditions.
This is what I got:
Yes its underexposed etc but it is reasonably sharp so I was happy. So why the wonder of modern DSLR. I was looking at this picture in LightRoom and it dawned on me, this was taken at ISO 1250.
Yes there is noise but I was expecting newspaper print noise levels, this shot has less noise than some ISO 200 images from my 10D a few years back.
With a bit of white balance, exposure tweaking and a pass with Noise Ninja I ended up with this:
So lets review the shoot, 100 watt globe, hand held at 200mm at F2.8 with No flash at ISO 1250. I am amazed at the output, we have come along way! We can get results under amazing conditions with these latest DSLRs.
So next time you are feeling a little peeved with you DLSR and your results. Go drag out an old DSLR or maybe even a film body (if you still have one) and take some shots and compare.
Sadly all these great advances don't help us with the 'art' of photography but it sure can help us experiment with it.
I will post my thoughts on the Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS L after the Kenya trip, where it will get a decent workout. I also picked up a 1.4 extender to give it a bit more range if required.
Anyway as always enjoy your photography, experiment and be amazed.
