| OCTOBER 2008 NEWSLETTER |
This newsetter features photos and information from the last third of our recent trip to
Namibia. It was the first time that I had visited the Northeastern section of Namibia which
is called the Caprivi Strip. The Okavango River runs through this region on its way to the
inland delta in Botswana.
We stayed at Ngepi Camp on the river. Accomodation is in very nice tree houses above
the river's edge. The setting is beautiful and the camp is a fun place to stay. The hippos
frolicking under your tree house in the night can be a bit unnerving at times but certainly
adds to the wild feeling of the place. Thanks to Mark, Nixi and all the staff there.
Particularly to Christoph and Lucas, 2 guides who helped me get most of the shots
shown here.
Namibia. It was the first time that I had visited the Northeastern section of Namibia which
is called the Caprivi Strip. The Okavango River runs through this region on its way to the
inland delta in Botswana.
We stayed at Ngepi Camp on the river. Accomodation is in very nice tree houses above
the river's edge. The setting is beautiful and the camp is a fun place to stay. The hippos
frolicking under your tree house in the night can be a bit unnerving at times but certainly
adds to the wild feeling of the place. Thanks to Mark, Nixi and all the staff there.
Particularly to Christoph and Lucas, 2 guides who helped me get most of the shots
shown here.
PIED KINGFISHER photographed on the Okavango River, NE Namibia, October 2008.
Mk3 500mmF4 1/2000 F5.6 iso 800, evaluative metering -1.0. Photographed from a boat.
Occasionally I am asked by another photographer why I use a relatively high shutter speed
and iso on many of my shots. This shot is an example of the main reason why, I'm always
hoping to get a good action shot. Here, the kingfisher took off from his perch and I
managed to have the shutter down at the right instant. With a slower shutter speed I would
probably have had a blurry image. The second reason is that I shoot handheld a lot and the
shutter speed helps to produce sharper images.
Mk3 500mmF4 1/2000 F5.6 iso 800, evaluative metering -1.0. Photographed from a boat.
Occasionally I am asked by another photographer why I use a relatively high shutter speed
and iso on many of my shots. This shot is an example of the main reason why, I'm always
hoping to get a good action shot. Here, the kingfisher took off from his perch and I
managed to have the shutter down at the right instant. With a slower shutter speed I would
probably have had a blurry image. The second reason is that I shoot handheld a lot and the
shutter speed helps to produce sharper images.
MALE HIPPOPOTAMUS photographed from a river island in the Okavango River, NE
Namibia Mk3 500mmF4 1/1000 F7.1 iso 640, evaluative metering -0.3, Handheld, A1 Servo.
This male hippo put on this display for us twice. The first time I wasn't prepared and with
my auto focus point on the middle point he leaped out of the frame. Expecting it might
happen again, I moved the AF focus point to 2 rows lower than the middle row and I was
able to get a nice series as the hippo performed for us again. This is a territorial display
that was directed toward us.
Namibia Mk3 500mmF4 1/1000 F7.1 iso 640, evaluative metering -0.3, Handheld, A1 Servo.
This male hippo put on this display for us twice. The first time I wasn't prepared and with
my auto focus point on the middle point he leaped out of the frame. Expecting it might
happen again, I moved the AF focus point to 2 rows lower than the middle row and I was
able to get a nice series as the hippo performed for us again. This is a territorial display
that was directed toward us.
LITTLE GREEN BEE EATER photographed at Mahango Game Park, Namibia, October 2008.
Final image techs: Canon Mk3 500mmF4 1/1250 F9, iso 400, evaluative metering -0.3,
Handheld. These images show what a slow approach can yield. As you can see from the
first image, I was about 50 yards away when I started approaching this bird. I took a few
images and then slowly approached a few yards, I repeated this several times, until I was
near enough to the bird to get some good images (middle frame). From this point, I kept
the camera to my face as I was able to advance to within about 20 feet of the bird. I had
Christoph behind me watching to make sure no large animals approached. I was wearing
camoflauge clothing made by Mossy Oak, www.mossyoak.com , which helps to make you
look like a tree rather than a person. I had to approach closer than usual because my
teleconverter was not working that day.
Final image techs: Canon Mk3 500mmF4 1/1250 F9, iso 400, evaluative metering -0.3,
Handheld. These images show what a slow approach can yield. As you can see from the
first image, I was about 50 yards away when I started approaching this bird. I took a few
images and then slowly approached a few yards, I repeated this several times, until I was
near enough to the bird to get some good images (middle frame). From this point, I kept
the camera to my face as I was able to advance to within about 20 feet of the bird. I had
Christoph behind me watching to make sure no large animals approached. I was wearing
camoflauge clothing made by Mossy Oak, www.mossyoak.com , which helps to make you
look like a tree rather than a person. I had to approach closer than usual because my
teleconverter was not working that day.
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER photographed near Ngepi Camp, Caprivi Strip, Namibia,
October 2008. Canon Mk3 500F4 + 2.0X TC 1/200 F11 iso 800, evaluative metering -0.3.
This beautiful species was high on my wish list for this trip. One evening when I was
returning from my afternoon bird walk I spotted one on a perch from quite some distance
just as the sun was setting. I knew the light would be gorgeous if I could make some
sharp images but I didn't have my tripod, I was a long way away and I didn't have much
time. I put on the 2x teleconverter, slowly walked until I could tell the bird was starting to
get nervous and took some photos. Handholding this much lens (with the 2x
teleconverter) in low light is difficult. The techniques I use are somewhat like those of a
marksman (although I have rarely fired a gun in my life). I have my left leg forward, right
leg back, lean my upper body back to balance the weight of the lens and hold my breath
while I take the shot. My left hand is on the barrel of the lens, while my right is on the
camera body.
October 2008. Canon Mk3 500F4 + 2.0X TC 1/200 F11 iso 800, evaluative metering -0.3.
This beautiful species was high on my wish list for this trip. One evening when I was
returning from my afternoon bird walk I spotted one on a perch from quite some distance
just as the sun was setting. I knew the light would be gorgeous if I could make some
sharp images but I didn't have my tripod, I was a long way away and I didn't have much
time. I put on the 2x teleconverter, slowly walked until I could tell the bird was starting to
get nervous and took some photos. Handholding this much lens (with the 2x
teleconverter) in low light is difficult. The techniques I use are somewhat like those of a
marksman (although I have rarely fired a gun in my life). I have my left leg forward, right
leg back, lean my upper body back to balance the weight of the lens and hold my breath
while I take the shot. My left hand is on the barrel of the lens, while my right is on the
camera body.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |