wildlife photographers

Wildlife Photographers (10): Andy Biggs

Posted by dc on May 14, 2013
Posted in: wildlife photographers. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Just recently, well known wildlife photographer Andy Biggs gave a very informative insight in the way he works and how he became a wildlife photographer in this great video, filmed at Google talks. To me, Andy Biggs is in the tradition of great american artists like Howard Hawks or Ernest Hemingway: Great and unique in their art, but modest and not artsy-like in their character. Andy calls himself not an artist, but “a creative person”. I guess, that says it all. So let his photography talk about the man: his view of Africa and its wild animals is a poetic one. There is always some tenderness and empathy in Andy Biggs pictures of African animals and landscapes. There is never any overcooking involved in his pictures -never too close, never too far away, always on the spot where the photographer has to be. Timing and composition, always great, and always fitting to atmosphere and object.

Andy Biggs offers photo safaris mostly in Botswana and Tanzania/Kenya.

Andy Biggs ist ein sehr bekannter Wildlife Fotograf, der erst jüngst bei einer Veranstaltung bei Google (siehe obigen Link auf das Video) einen sehr interessanten und sehr amerikanisch-praktischen Einblick in seine Arbeit und seine Karriere als Fotograf gab. Für mich ist Andy Biggs  ein typisch amerikanischer Künstler: Seine Kunst sprich seine Fotografien für sich sprechen zu lassen, ohne für sich als Person in Anspruch zu nehmen, ein Künstler zu sein. Andy Biggs nennt sich selbst lieber “a creative Person”. Seine Fotografie von Afrika und den Tieren Afrikas spricht von grosser Sympathie für Landschaft und Fauna, und von Respekt. Seine Fotos sind nie aufdringlich, halten Abstand, wo es sinnvoll ist, Abstand zu wahren, und gehen poetisch in die Nahdistanz, wenn dies sinnvoll ist. Ich mag sein Timing und seine Komposition: immer stimmig, immer atmosphärisch.

Andy Biggs bietet Fotosafaris in Afrika an, zumeist in Botswana und dem Serengeti-Mara Ökosystem.

copyright Andy Biggs

Q safari-photographer: What is your photo equipment, and what is the reason for Canon or Nikon?

A Andy Biggs: I primarily shoot with Phase One medium format gear, however I also use Canon and Nikon both to fill in on a safari-by-safari basis. I rent what I need, and some safaris require longer focal lengths than others.
Q: What are your lenses?
A: My primary wildlife lens is a Schneider 240mm on my Phase One camera, which is equal to around 150mm on a full frame Nikon or Canon camera. I also use a Phase One 75-150mm, and on 35mm equipment I often use a 200-400mm f/4 or 300mm f/2.8.
Q: What is your favorite lense, and why?
A: I absolutely love the 70-200mm f/2.8. It is such a utilitarian lens!
Q: What is your favorite place for wildlife photography in Africa/the rest of the world, and why?
A: I have two favorite places: The open savannah of the greater Serengeti ecosystem as well as the Okavango Delta of northern Botswana. Both of these locations offer extraordinary landscapes as backdrops for the abundant wildlife.
Q: What is your current project you are working on?
A: I am currently working on trying to be at home more often. :-)
Q: What is a dream project for you in the future?
A: My dream project is to photograph in ecologically sensitive environments, documenting threatened species as the result of habitat loss.
Q: What are your concerns for the future regarding protecting the African wildlife and national parks?
A: My concerns are that the wildlife in our parks are becoming islands of isolated genes, separated from each other by large populations of humans. I would like to have wildlife corridors, linking parks and wildlife-rich ecosystems with one other.
Q: What do you try to achieve with your photography?
A: I try to convey a sense of peacefulness, hope and timelessness with my imagery. I try to take viewers to a place that seems far away from home.
Q: Do you consider yourself being an artist?
A: I do, but I prefer to use the term photographer or that I am a creative person.

Wildlife Photographers (9): Gerry van der Walt

Posted by dc on April 17, 2013
Posted in: wildlife photographers. Tagged: , . 2 comments
What I really like about the wildlife photography of Gerry van der Walt is, that it is straight forward, and has something of documentary quality. And if you browse through Gerrys portfolio, especially what he calls “African moments”, you know what I am talking about. A so called documentary moment is really hard to capture with a photo camera, but Gerry does it: His Africa pictures do not only look like Africa, they smell and sound like it, too!
But have a look yourself, here is the interview and all links to Gerrys websites.
As I have been thinking about the problem of bringing really long lenses (or even buying them) to Africa, Gerrys company Wild Eye is renting them, e.g. the Canon 600mm or the Canon 200mm 2.8. Great idea!
Wildnis Fotograf Gerry van der Walt macht grossartige Fotos der Fauna Afrikas, und was ich besonders mag, sind seine Landschaften mit Tieren darin. Das sieht nicht nur aus wie Afrika, das riecht auch fast so. Deshalb denke ich, dass seine Fotos eine gewisse dokumentarische Qualität aufweisen – eine Eigenschaft, die ich als extrem schwierig einzufangen finde.
aber lest im Interview, was Gerry über seine Fotografie zu sagen hat.
Anmerkung: Wer sich schon immer gefragt hat, wie er Objektive wie z.B. das Canon 600mm finanzieren oder im Flieger nach Afrika schaffen kann bzw. wo man diese mieten kann: Gerrys Unternehmen Wild Eye vermietet alle professionellen Objektive von Canon und Nikon.
Gerry van der Walt Photography
Q: What is your photo equipment, and what is the reason for Canon or Nikon?
A: I am originally a Nikon shooter and the only reason for that is that when I bought my first DSLR, the NikoN D70, it was the cheapest one in the store!  From then you start adding lenses and other accessories which makes it very difficult to change your system later on.  These days I shoot both Nikon and Canon as when I lead photo safaris I need to be able to assist clients regardless of what brand they use.  I personally feel that the brand debate is old and tired and the make of camera you shoot with has nothing to do with the quality of images that you produce.  The camera is simply a tool that you, as the photographer, uses to express your vision.
Q: What are your lenses?
A: For most photo safaris I will pack my bag with:
  • Nikon 14-24mm or Canon 16-35mm
  • Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8
  • Nikon 200-400mm f/4
The destination we are heading to will however greatly determine the type of gear I take along.  Southern African destinations do not require as long focal lengths as East Africa so this will be one of the deciding factors.  Recently I have been shooting with the Canon 14mm quite a bit and it is a mind-blowing wide angle especially for star and night time photography.
Q. What is your favorite lense, and why?
A: If I had to choose only one I would have to go with a 70-200mm f/2.8.  It is always the first lens I pack regardless of destination.  The focal range can be use to create anything from tight portraits to landscape images.  Very handy lens!!
Q: What is your favorite place for wildlife photography in Africa/the rest of the world, and why?
A: Kenya has to be my favourite destination in Africa.  The diversity of parks and animals is quite amazing.  In specific lay I have had a bit of an obsession about Amboseli the last while.  The park is pretty small but defines what makes Africa so special!  Later this year I will be travelling to Svalbard to photograph polar bears so I am quite excited about that but Africa will always be in my soul.
Q: What is your current project you are working on?
A: I am currently busy focusing on Wild Eye, my company which offers photographic safaris, workshops and courses, and building the business up so right now there is not too much time for other projects.  
Q: What is a dream project for you in the future?
A: I have a few of those but the one that is right at the top of the list is to do a visual documentary on the various parks in East Africa.  The combination of photography and video will make for a very powerful exhibition and showcase the deeper and lesser known aspects one of the world’s greatest wildlife and photographic destinations.
Q: what are your concerns for the future regarding protecting the African wildlife and national parks?
A: Rhino poaching is obviously something that is in the news and a major concern as far as the natural heritage of Africa is concerned.  I’m not sure anybody las the answer but it is imperative that, as wildlife photographers, we keep on showing the world the beauty of nature.  Perhaps, even if in s avery small way, this will educate people and show them a world that we do not want to loose.
Q: What do you try to achieve with your photography?
A: Apart from showcasing the beauty of nature and sharing my passion for the wild places of Africa I always try and teach and educate people as to how they can improve their own photography.  Too many photographers out there have a holier-than-thou attitude and do not want to share their knowledge which I think is very sad and short sighted.  The more people we can introduce to the wonderful world of wildlife photography the better as it will make more people share images and the passion that we have for nature.
Q: Do you consider yourself being an artist?
A: Yes.  I believe that any person that picks up a camera and creates an image is an artist.  
Find Gerry van der Walt on the web:

Serengeti Lions in Golden Light in wildphotomag March-April 2013

Posted by dc on April 4, 2013
Posted in: Safari photography, Serengeti, Tansania, Tanzania, wildlife photographers, wildlife photography. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

wildphotomag

Wildphotomag from South Africa published some of my lions pictures from last years Serengeti Safari, please check it out in the March/April 2013 issue, page 13. Most of these pictures were taken around the Mara kopjes in Southern Serengeti, with two mornings full of the famous Serengeti Golden Light.

In der März-April 2013 Ausgabe des Wildphotomag aus Südafrika könnt ihr einige meiner Löwenbilder aus der Serengeti finden. Sie entstanden auf meiner letzten Safari und sind grösstenteils im südlichen Teil der Serengeti geschossen, im berühmten “Golden Light”!

 

Interview with Sudhir Shivaram on shutterstoppers blog

Posted by dc on January 23, 2013
Posted in: India, Safari photography, wildlife photographers. Tagged: , , . Leave a Comment

As I just recently published an interview with one of the great wildlife photographers from India, Sudhir Shivram, you might like to read his most recent interview on photo blog shutterstoppers.

Jüngst veröffentlichte ich ein wirklich tolles und lesenswertes Interview mit einem der besten indischen Naturfotografen, mit Sudhir Shivaram aus Bangalore. Ein Blogkollege hat nun nachgelegt, und es ist interessant, die beiden Interviews zu vergleichen.

Wildlife Photographers (8): Morkel Erasmus

Posted by dc on January 21, 2013
Posted in: wildlife photographers. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

safari-photographer.com continues with presenting outstanding wildlife photographers, this time: Morkel Erasmus.

What I really enjoy about Morkels approach to wildlife photography is that bush feeling of his images: The guy loves to be in the veld, and it shows in his pictures. These images are hands-on, rugged, and of fine art quality alike. (When I wrote the German text it came to my mind and I found the words: his pictures are rough and tender at the same time: rauh und zärtlich).

Morkel offers as well photographic safaris and photo workshops in 2013, like  in Zimbabwe Mana Pools NP and the Masai Mara in Kenya. Find more about his portfolio and workshops with the help of the links on the bottom of this posting.

Read more about Morkel in the following interview!

safari-photographer.com interviewt herausragende Natur- und Tierfotografen, dieses Mal: Morkel Erasmus. Dieser Typ liebt es, im afrikanischen Busch zu sein, und das sieht man seinen Fotos an: Die Tiere respektvoll aus einer wunderbaren Distanz, die auch ihre Umgebung charakterisiert und vice versa. Oder Morkel zeigt uns detailreiche Grossaufnahmen von Löwen, Wildhunden, Leoparden. Jedes Portrait eine Studie in Licht, Komposition, Charakter und Typus eines Tieres.

Ich finde seine Fotos gleichermassen wild, immer dynamisch, rauh und zärtlich zugleich. Morkel bietet Safaris auch als Fotoworkshopsn wer mit ihm z.B. nach Mana Pools oder zur Great Migration in die Masai Mara fahren möchte beachtet bitte die Links auf seine Webseiten zum Ende des Interviews.

morkelerasmus

Q: What is your photo equipment, and what is the reason for Canon or Nikon?
Morkel Erasmus: I used to use Canon products but switched over wholesale to Nikon in mid-2011. I had wanted to do so for over a year but the opportunity never presented itself (read: cashflow) – what initially swayed me was using the Nikon D3s for low-light wildlife photography coupled with the 200-400mm f4 lens. I am very happy with being part of the Nikon family now, and am actually a Nikon ambassador for South Africa now. The equipment has performed over and above my highest expectations in the most challenging/demanding of situations.
Q: What are your lenses?
A: I currently own 4 Nikkor lenses which suit most of my photographic needs:
14-24mm f2.8
24-70mm f2.8
70-200mm f2.8
500mm f4 VR-II
and the 1.4x teleconverter
Q: What is your favorite lense, and why?
A: For landscape photography I find I’m using the 14-24mm the most as I really love that ultra-wide angle view and the lens is tack sharp corner-to-corner. When I am on safari I always have 2 camera bodies with me, coupled with the 500mm and the 70-200mm respectively. I will use the teleconverter to add some reach to the 500mm depending on the distance to the subject. I do find that I am using the 500mm for the majority of my wildlife photography – and why not? It’s a razor sharp lens with fast focus and great clarity and contrast. I also love shooting shots that are a bit wider and placing the animal in its environment/context and for that the 70-200mm works a treat (if they are really close I’ll use the 24-70mm for an even wider perspective).
Q: What is your favorite place for wildlife photography in Africa/the rest of the world, and why?
A: I have 2 places where I’ll go in a moment’s notice and that is Mana Pools in Zimbabwe and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa/Botswana. Both are quite different but offer exceptional photographic opportunities and wilderness allure for the discerning photographic traveller. The Kgalagadi (Kalahari) is dry and harsh with wide open spaces and excellent predator viewing. You can self-drive and track an animal for kilometers without it disappearing into/behind foliage (there really is not a lot of flora there).
Mana Pools is iconic – ancient – mystical and just overwhelming. You can spend time on foot with big game in the middle of vast floodplain forests with trees so large the elephants have to stand on their hind legs to reach the succulent leaves. It’s hard to describe these places as they need to be experienced. On my bucket list is South Luangwa and Busanga/Kafue in Zambia as well as Etosha in Namibia. Outside of Africa I am hoping to spend some time photographing grizzly bears and bald eagles in Alaska and tigers in India one day.
Q: What is your current project you are working on?
A: I don’t have a set project at the moment. I am constantly working on a series of fine art monochrome wildlife images and have some portfolio publications appearing soon. I also have a project with local meerkats in mind but have been stalling on that for over a year. Time to get to it, I suppose…
Q: What is a dream project for you in the future?
A: I would love to be able to do a conservation-based photographic project on a highly endangered species like the Black Rhino or the African Wild Dog. At the moment, with me still working a full-time job and with a family to care for, I am just enjoying being able to travel somewhat and share my passion and knowledge with like-minded photographers through the Wild Eye photo safaris I’m guiding (www.wild-eye.co.za).
Q: What are your concerns for the future regarding protecting the African wildlife and national parks?
A: Can I write a book about this?? Just kidding, but I will rehash the same concerns that many will voice. Overcrowding. Disrespectful use by tourists (with no mind for the sanctity of the places or the wellbeing of the wildlife). Mismanagement by those in charge. Over-commercialisation by those in charge. Poaching. Corruption. Loss of biodiversity. Destruction of ancient migratory routes for big game. The list goes on…I truly hope that my children and their children can still experience Africa as it is today – but that’s a vain hope as the natural Africa of today is already much more under pressure than the Africa of 5 years ago.
Q: What do you try to achieve with your photography?
A: Someone once told me that photography should evoke more than it describes. I agree, but it should be both. I hope that my photos give others who might not ever make it here the chance to see the natural wonder of Africa for themselves – if only one frame at a time – and that I could somehow evoke the urge to see this heritage conserved in those viewing my work. I hope to share my passion for African passion for photography with others either by sharing on social media or by spending time in the field with like-minded people.
Q: How do you prepare for your landscape pictures?
A: I spend much less time on my landscape photography than I ought to, and it’s one of the areas of my work that I really can see that I need to grow more in. It’s best to scout a location beforehand and come up with some key compositions that you can run to and set up for when the magic light peaks. The really gorgeous sunrise/sunset light really only lasts a minute or 5.  Play around with various focal lengths and angles of perspective (set your tripod low or high for a different angle).
Q: Do you consider yourself being an artist?
A: A great quote I read one day said that “artist” is a term you cannot call yourself by, others have to call you an artist. I would definitely say that I’ve got an artistic bent and I think creatively about photography as an art. Whether my work qualifies me as being an “artist” I will leave up to the viewers. Some might think so and other vehemently disagree, and that’s okay. I would like to be seen as someone who can produce artistic visions of natural history – but I don’t think anyone gets that right with every photo they take.

All other interviews from safari-photographer.com with great wildlife photographers you can find here

Wildlife photographers Vol. 7: Will Burrard-Lucas

Posted by dc on November 21, 2012
Posted in: wildlife photographers. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

When asked if he considers himself being an artist, wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas  answers:

I am equally an inventor, a naturalist, an entrepreneur, a broadcaster

Two things come in mind when watching Wills exceptional portfolio: closeness and adventure. And yes, there is a third one: the Beetle cam.

Closeness is achieved by Wills point-of-view of his pictures, and not all are done by the beetle cam creeping on the ground, being bitten by lions and wildldogs. The low angle approach to the animals is creating a very unique closeness to lions and wild dogs alike, but to penguins as well, if you see Wills Falkland Islands pictures.

There is always a sense of adventure coming with his photos, maybe that is the closeness, maybe that is the ingenuity of the beetle cam pics, but definitely the photographer itself adds a feeling of exciting wilderness to his portraits of wonderful animals. Directly per email from Zambias South Luangwa National Park, here are Wills answers to safari-photographers.com questions.

Q: What is your photo equipment, and what is the reason for Canon or Nikon?

A: I shoot Canon.  I don’t think it makes much difference whether you shoot Canon or Nikon… nowadays both brands are so good that it is rarely the equipment that limits what I can do. I shoot Canon because that’s what I invested in when I started buying pro lenses about 8 years ago and I’ve never seen a compelling enough reason to go through the expense of changing brand.

Q: What are your lenses?

A: I have loads but I mainly use 16-35 2.8, 50 1.2, 70-200 2.8, 400 2.8 and 100mm 2.8 macro.

Q: What is your favorite lense, and why?

A: It depends on the situation! All of the above are my favourites :)

Q: What is your favorite place for wildlife photography in Africa/the rest of the world, and why?

A: Africa: Currently South Luangwa; I am spending the year here and enjoying getting to know the area and its wildlife. It is still very wild, you can go entire days without seeing another vehicle. It is also nice to see how drastically and rapidly the park changes through the seasons.

Rest of world is hard! At the moment I am enjoying Africa. Probably one of my most productive trips outside Africa was to the Falkland Islands.

Q: What is your current project you are working on?

A: As I mentioned, I am currently spending a year in Zambia, focusing on the wildlife of South Luangwa National Park.

Q: What is a dream project for you in the future?

A: That’s top secret! ;) Basically anything that hasn’t been done much before. I like to photograph unusual species or better known creatures in unusual ways.

Q: What are your concerns for the future regarding protecting the African wildlife and national parks?

A: While national parks have plenty of problems of their own (i.e. poaching etc), my main concern is the devastation that is occurring in the unprotected areas. Pretty soon there may be very little wildlife left outside the national parks and these protected areas will become isolated islands surrounded by people. I would like to see more wildlife management areas established throughout Africa and steps taken to ensure more land is used sustainably.

Q: What do you try to achieve with your photography?

A: To inspire people to appreciate and conserve the natural wonders of our planet.

Q: Who actually buys the beetle cam and is every one of them custom built?

A: BeetleCams are bought by pro wildlife photographers and filmmakers around the world. Some are custom built but most are pretty standard – designed to take a medium sized DSLR with an armoured shell and a wireless live view feed.

Q: Do you consider yourself being an artist?

A: I suppose I am, but being an artist is only a part of it. I am equally an inventor, a naturalist, an entrepreneur, a broadcaster etc…

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Wildlife Photographers (6): Sudhir Shivaram

Posted by dc on October 25, 2012
Posted in: India, wildlife photographers. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 12 comments

There is only one country in the world, where you can shoot pictures of wild living tigers, bears, leopards and lions  - India! As we found out, India offers plenty of animal life, with more than 100 national parks on the sub – continent. One of the leading bird and wildlife photographers of India, and a Canon ambassador, is Sudhir Shivaram.

Sudhir specializes on birds, and he shoots technically stunning pictures with their objects always staged in a perfect frame and a colorful bokeh background. As Indias parks offer an amazing number of animals you would otherwise expect to be in Africa (hyenas, wild dogs, lions, antelopes, very colorful and abundant birds) his pictures look exotic and familiar at the same time.
As almost all wildlife photographers, Sudhir is true wildlife lover and he is worried about the poaching crisis which takes place in Indias today. Government and administration seem to lack interest – or
are bribed by the poachers –  to protect wildlife and environment. It is the sad sad story like almost everywhere on our planet, where money corrupts enviromental interests.
As Sudhir helds widllfe photgraphy workshops in the Bangalore region, this might be a good opportunity for some of you for a switch – why not go for Safari and photo workshop to India?!
Es gibt nur ein Land auf diesem Planeten, wo der interessierte Natur- und Tierfotograf wild lebende Bären, Leoparden, Tiger und Löwen in Schutzgebieten antreffen kann – Indien! Sudhir Shivaram ist Canon ambassador und einer der profiliertesten Naturfotografen des Subkontinents.
Sudhir Shivaram spezialisiert sich auf die Vogelfotografie, seine Fotos sind von technischer Brillanz (Schärfe!) und perfekter Komposition geprägt. Grossartig aber auch seine Leopardenbilder, in denen die Katzen wie magisch mit dem Wald im Hintergrund verschmelzen.
Indien erlebt die gleiche Wilderei-Krise wie viele afrikanische Länder, getrieben von der Nachfrage der asiatischen Märkte (die traditionelle chinesische Medizin ist wohl einer der Hauptverursacher) nach Wildtierteilen. Die Zentralregierung Indiens als auch die Verwaltungen der Bundesstaaten scheinen korrupt oder desinteressiert an einer Verbesserung der Schutzbemühungen, was die Lage der Schutzgebiete sicherlich nicht vereinfacht. Insbesondere der Tiger- und Nashornbestand stehen massiv unter Druck, wie Sudhir im safari-photographer Interview zu berichten weiss.
Wer also mal eine etwas andere Safari mit grossartigem Tierbestand, oder auch einen von Sudhirs Foto Workshops in Bangalore erleben möchte – auf nach Indien!
Q: What is your photo equipment, and what is the reason for Canon or Nikon? I saw on your website that you are kind of exotic user of Canon cameras?!
A: I have been using Canon for the last 18 years of my photography. I use Canon equipment for their unsurpassed quality and their impressive line-up of equipment which caters to all genres of photography.
Q: What are your lenses?
A: I extensively use Canon 800mm f/5.6 L IS for Bird Photography and Canon 400mm f2.8 L IS II for all my Wildlife image making. I also use Canon 70-200 f2.8 L and 100-400 L IS depending on the need. The Canon 17-40L is also part of my kit for landscape image making.
Q: What is your favorite lens, and why?
A: It is indeed, without doubt, the Canon 800mm f5.6 L IS lens. This lens is the best thing that has happened to me for my specialization in Bird Photography. It is not too heavy and can be hand held when needed. The reach is superb for small birds. It can be easily used with Canon 1.4xIII converter and you hardly notice any drop in image quality. I have also used that lens on my Canon 1D Mark III stacked with Canon 1.4xII and Canon 2xII converters taking the reach to around 3200mm. The 800mm lens can also be used for Wildlife Photography and the perspective you get from this lens us totally different. The bokeh you get from this lens is something you simply cannot think of getting from any other other lens (for the reach it has). Hats off to Canon for the fantastic job on this lens!
Q: what is your favorite place for wildlife photography in India/Africa/the rest of the world, and why?
A: The backwaters of Kabini river which is part of the Rajiv Gandhi National Park in South India has been one of my favorite destinations. This is considered as one of the top 5 destinations for wildlife in the world. Kabini is also known all over the world for its largest congregation of Asiatic Elephants, where one does not have to struggle to get a glimpse of the majestic Elephas Maximus.
Q: What is your current project you are working on?
A: I have travelled all over India capturing the beauty of nature and the abundant birdlife and wildlife it has to offer, except for one mammal – The Asiatic Lion. I will be traveling to Gir National Park to photograph them.
Q: What is a dream project for you in the future?
A: I have great passion for sharing my knowledge on photography and I conduct workshops and photo tours across India. I want to take this knowledge sharing to the next level where I can create a platform for more number of people to benefit.
Q: What are your concerns for the future regarding protecting the Indian wildlife and national parks?
A: There are way too many issues threatening the Wildlife of India – poaching, illegal mining, forest encroachment, illegal felling of trees – to name a few. Tiger Conservation is one of the hot topics in India. The Tiger represents the ecosystem of our forest. They go, the forests go. There is a lot of political pressure to lease out parts of the forest for mining in the name of development.
Indian wildlife continues to be an easy target for poachers. 2012 has been the worst year in the last decade as it recorded largest number of killings of endangered animals. Out of 69 tigers killed since January this year, 41 have fallen to poaching, 39 one-horned rhinos too have lost their lives in Kaziranga National Park in the northern state of Assam and in a latest report 252 leopards have also been killed during the same period.
The Indian government blames the shortage of manpower to secure country’s wildlife reserves. However, wildlife professionals have blamed lack of commitment in the efforts of the authorities. Wildlife Advisory Committee, which was set up in 2005 under the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has not met even once. 
 
Q: What do you try to achieve with your photography?
A: For me, the singular aim of wildlife photography is to share the joy of nature. I also use my images for conservation related activities and give them away for free for this purpose. It is used by many NGOs to create awareness about our natural heritage.
Q: When it comes to wildlife and to bird photography, what are best spots/national parks in India?
A: There are my top destinations in India for Wildlife and Bird Photography:
Lava And Neora Valley, West Bengal
Eaglenest Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh 
Little & Greater Rann Of Kutch, Gujarat
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala
Keoaldeo Ghana National Park (Bharatpur), Rajasthan
Corbett National Park, Uttarahand
Pangot and Sattal, Uttarakhand
Goa
Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Tadoba Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra
Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Karnataka
Q: What is a typical agenda for one of your workshops?
A: I have a practice of understanding the participants much before they attend the workshop. I ask them to submit their portfolio of images which I review before the workshop. This gives me a good understand on what I need to cover as a part of the workshop. I cover all the basic and fundamentals of photography and take them through advance concepts. Once all the learning happens in the classroom session, the following day I have a field outing where those concepts are practiced. I spend time with the participants helping them practice the learning. The participants are given the flexibility to contact me post the workshop for getting their images reviewed so that they can evaluate how the workshop has helped them improve their photography knowledge.
Q: Do you consider yourself being an artist?
A: I strongly believe I have moved away from taking images to making images. It takes a lot of effort and planning to make images. Most of my images I shoot with the concept of pre-visualization where that image is formed in my mind and I try to execute it in the field.
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Wildlife Photographers (5): Isak Pretorius

Posted by dc on October 15, 2012
Posted in: wildlife photographers. Tagged: , . Leave a Comment

In our series about outstanding wildlife photographers, this week I want to present Isak Pretorius. He is a wildlife photographer with worldwide publications of his pictures in books and calendars, and he offers as well photo workshops and photo safaris in Southern Africa, especially in South Africa and Botswana.

His images are full of color, but not glitzy. They are of a very charming quietness – quietness in the best meaning of this word. Imagine the bush with very few animal voices, on a bright, warm, blue skies African morning, with a bit of a cool breeze coming in from the ocean – this is the sort of quietness I mean. A sort of a quiet fiesta.

His photos of birds and carnivores are soft-spoken and solemn to me – with full bright colors, and they have always a very wonderful background. I think that Isaks love for nature and the animals shows clearly in his pictures, and that is what I really love about them. And his use of background, the pattern of the background and the colors of the background, that is something really masterful. You need to have a very close look on Isak Pretorius use and technique of creating background, and learn from him.

In unserer regelmässigen Reihe wildlife photographers stellen wir heute Isak Pretorius vor. Isak ist ein viel publizierter und oft ausgezeichneter Naturfotograf aus Südafrika. Ich mag die wunderbare Ruhe und Ausgeglichenheit seiner Fotos, die Nähe zu den Tieren, der liebevolle aber nicht verklärende Blick auf sie. Insbesondere ist Isak ein Meister des Hintergrunds, vielleicht das Geheimnis seiner sensationellen Tierfotos – immer grossartiges, farbiges Bokeh, das das eigentliche Objekt des Fotos um so stärker herausstellt. So geht Tier- und Naturfotografie heute! Isak organisiert auch Safaris und Fotosafaris, insbesondere in Botswanas Mashatu Game Reserve im Tuli Block sowie in Südafrikas Krüger Nationalpark. Lest selbst, wie Isak seine Kunst und seine Technik als Fotograf sieht:

Q: What is your photo equipment, and what is the reason for Canon or Nikon? I saw on your website that you use Canon…

A: I use Canon. When I started doing wildlife photography I looked at which brand most of the famous wildlife photographers were using at the time. I saw that it was Canon. As you invest into a brand it becomes increasingly difficult to switch brands, so I think most people stay with the brand they initially start with.

Q: What are your lenses?

 A: 600mmf/4

Nikon 200-400mmf/4 (just the one Nikon with a Nikon body since Canon did not have one)

70-200mm/f2.8

24-70mm/f2.8

16-35mm/f2.8

8-15mm fisheye

Q: What is your favorite lense, and why?

A: I love my 600mmf/4. I’m (mostly) a bird photographer and need all the focal length I can get!

Q: What is your favorite place for wildlife photography in Africa/the rest of the world, and why?

A: I love the Kruger National Park area. It might be a surprising answer because there are so many other wild and interesting places I go to in Africa. As a bird photographer I love the Kruger National Park because there is a huge variety of birds, especially in summer when all the migrants are back. With the many tourists visiting the park each day the wildlife have become very approachable. This is great for bird photography. Kruger is also affordable, easy to get to and easy to get around in

Q: What is your current project you are working on?

A: I’m currently compiling a portfolio of photos from Mashatu Game Reserve in the Tuli block of Botswana. It’s an area I visit often and is great for bird, animal and landscape photography. I’m running a couple of photographic workshops to Mashatu in Botswana, South Luangwa in Zambia, and the Okavango Delta in Botswana before the end of the year.

Q: What is a dream project for you in the future?

A: I would love to be commissioned for a comprehensive portfolio (bird, animal and landscape photos) of a wild area for one year. A place like the great lakes of East Africa, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Islands, Antarctica or Liuwa Plains in Zambia. I would love to to experience all the seasons of such a place.

 Q: What are your concerns for the future regarding protecting the African wildlife and national parks?

A: Over population is the biggest threat to these parks. When people and nature compete for the same land, nature will always end up on the losing side.

Q: What do you try to achieve with your photography?

A: I try to portray the beauty of the natural world to inspire people to visit and protect these beautiful places along with its birds and animals.

Q: Do you consider yourself being an artist?
A: Yes, I think every photographer is an artist by definition. We all create something from nothing through our own creativity.

You can join Isak on his photographic workshops in Botswanas Mashatu Game Reserve. More about his photo workshops you find here, more about Mashatu you find here.

Recent interviews by safari-photographer with great wildlife photographers:

Wildlife photographers (4): Gorazd Golob

Posted by dc on September 28, 2012
Posted in: Safari photography, wildlife photographers. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

There is only a few wildlife photographers out there, who combine great artistry and some down to earth feeling just like Gorazd Golob is doing that. Seeing his pictures, and wanting to pack your stuff being directly in direction to somewhere outdoors, is one thing.What I like about his pictures is this feelng of being outdoors and close to nature. This guy really likes the animals, and he close to them, literally and emotionally. Gorazd Golob sees the beauty in nature, and that is why you can find in his gallery pictures from ants to elefants.

Especially his b+w pictures are great art, and real showcases for everyone of us, to discover what can be achieved without HDR, popart-like color saturation and fancy filters and who knows what: simple black and white, and a stark motive in the picture, thats it. This year Gorazd won the International Photography Award in the category “Wildlife“. But read Gorazd answers to my questions, and check out where he is going to be on tour in the African bush, and than just pack your bag, grab your gear, and off you go…

Gorazd Golob hat bei den diesjährigen International Photographers Awards in der Kategorie Naturfotografie  mit dem sehr ausdrucksstarken Motiv eines Flusspferdes gewonnen – ein Foto in schwarz-weiss! Aber diesen grossartigen Naturfotografen auf seine kunstvollen Schwarz-weiss Kompositionen zu reduzieren, hiesse, die andere Hälfte des Künstlers und Outdoorburschen Gorazd zu negieren. Denn in seinen Farbfotos zeigt sich seine Nähe und seine Liebe zur Natur, und für ihn ist das Foto einer Ameise genauso wichtig wie das Foto eines Elefanten – schaut euch auf seiner Homepage die Gallerie an, ihr werdet verstehen. Und klar, Gorazd organisiert Fototouren in den afrikanischen Busch, aber auch nach Helgoland, und da möchte man dabei sein! Denn die Reisen versprechen genauso authentisch zu sein wie der Mann selbst und seine Fotos. Lest  seine grossartigen Antworten und Einsichten im folgenden Interview.

Here are Gorazd answers to my questions:

Q. What is your photo equipment, and what is the reason for Canon or Nikon? I saw on your website that you are kind of exotic user of Panasonic and Olympus cameras?!

A: My most used equipment is Nikon for wildlife and landscape and Panasonic GH2 for video and also wide-angle shots on tours, when I use Nikon D700 and D300 bodies with telephoto lenses

I choose Nikon 30 years ago, build a system and stick with it. After that time you know your equipment and you should stay with something you are familiar (if it is not puling you back, of course).

Panasonic and m4/3 system I started to use because of the size and video. But for wildlife I still use Nikon.

Q. What are your lenses?

I use many lenses from wide to tele but mostly AFS 500mm f/4 and 70-200mm f/2,8 AFS lenses for wildlife, 14-24 Nikon for wide-angle scenes, fixed focal lenses 50mm 1,4; 28mm 2,0 Zeiss; macro Tamron 90mm and many other for specific purposes. For m4/3 I use mostly Panasonic 14mm f/2,5 and Olympus 45mm f/1,8 with additional 14-140mm lens for video (but I also use Nikon lenses for video with converter)

Q.What is your favorite lense, and why?

All are best for some project but mostly used are 500mm and 70-200mm Nikon lenses and 45mm Olympus lens for m4/3

Q. What is your favorite place for wildlife photography in Africa/the rest of the world, and why?

I visited over 60 countries on 4 continents and I am still looking for the country/place that I will not like. You should look for the beauty when travel, not for bad things.

But yes I have my favorites and they are in Africa – south of Africa. For wildlife I am looking for remote places, for really wild animals, for safe places and my preferences are Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana. For best photo sights are South Africa and Botswana, for remoteness and great wildlife is Zambia, for special landscapes and wilderness is Namibia. But I do a lot of photography also in Europe, South and North America and starting in Asia (India).

Q. What is your current project you are working on?

I just come back from Zambia; I had two tours in August, wildlife in Kafue Park and Victoria falls with short visit to Chobe in Botswana. Now I am planning tours for next year and it will be Africa most of the time.  I am also planning some exhibitions of my b&w wildlife.

Q. What is a dream project for you in the future?

To get a job in some African park as a photographer and photo tutor or to work only as a photo tour leader in remote places (which I am doing already for quite some time in the year)

Q. What are your concerns for the future regarding protecting the African wildlife and national parks?

It seems that all is well organized but when you visit them few times, you see how many problems they have. Most obvious for me are two: poaching and industry (mining, oil, natural gas,…), which wants to use natural resources in the areas of parks. Finding out that over 150 rhinos were killed just in Kruger Park in THIS year only, makes you feel bad. I can understand poor people to kill for food but not organized crime for rich customers and just to use horns (they are so dumb they don’t know that they can eat their nails with same results). And same is with companies coming to exploit natural resources and destroy Nature, just for the purpose of FEW rich people, to get even richer…

As always, I hope for common sense (I know that I am idealist…)

Q. What do you try to achieve with your photography?

I use Nature as art objects. I don’t want to just capture the moment in time; I want it to be special, in terms of light, pose, animal, and scenery… Yes I do portraits and action shots but I like to present most of my photos in b&w, in special light, photos showing animals in their environment …  I don’t look just for BIG FIVE, for me even a rat or ant can be a model and beautiful art object. And I want to show remote places and wildlife in best possible light and presentation.

And I want to tease other photographers to join me on my tours :-)

Q. Do you consider yourself being an artist?

We are all artists and we have our own way of seeing art. Yes I consider myself an artist (I won IPA wildlife pro section this year, so some others may also think so :-) , hoping that there are more of them who think the same (then those who think I am not J).

I want to express my feelings about nature and my view of nature through my photos, mostly b&w.

Recent portraits of wildlife photographers: use the category “wildlife photographers”

Gorazd in action in Namibia

Wildlife photographers (3): David Lloyd

Posted by dc on September 20, 2012
Posted in: wildlife photographers. Tagged: , , . Leave a Comment

In our series of great wildlife photographers I want to present David Lloyd. I discovered Davids pictures on 500px – what astonished me in his photography is the very artful way he portraits wild animals. It is like they are sitting and posing in a studio situation. The animals in David Lloyds photography are wild and noble at the same time, and they are always shown as creatures with a great dignity. But, I leave it to you to judge, here are Davids answers to my questions, all links to his website, Facebook page and 500px page you find by scrolling down to the bottom of the post. You can join David on his trips to the Masai Mara, the link for these very special events you find here.

In unserer Reihe von grossartigen Tierfotografen darf ich diesmal David Lloyd vorstellen, ein Neuseeländer, welcher nun in London lebt. Seine Fotos fielen mir zum ersten Mal auf der grossartigen Plattform 500px auf, und sehr bestechend sind seine Portraits von wilden Tieren, insbesondere den Löwen und den Gorillas. Diese Fotos haben den anschein, als seinen sie nicht auf safari entstanden, sondern in einem Studio, und die Tiere haben in aller Ruhe im Profil dort gesessen. Das war natürlich nicht so – die Tiere haben nichts von ihrer schönen Wildheit verloren, sie wirken gelassen und sehr würdevoll. Doch lest selber Davids Antworten auf meine Fragen:

Q: What is your photo equipment, and what is the reason for Canon or Nikon? I saw on your website you are using Nikon, is this up to date?

A: Yes it is up to date, I’ve no real reason to prefer Nikon other than it has been my choice since 1988. However I feel fortunate because in the last few years I’ve found their 200-400 zoom lens to be invaluable.

Q: What are your lenses?

A: I use mainly a 50mm, 24-70, 70-200 and a 200-400. The 12-24 mm gets occasional use too.

Q: What is your favourite lens, and why?

A: The 200-400 gets the most use due to its versatility. I’m sure I have pictures that I wouldn’t have if I used a fixed focal length only. At home, I’m enjoying the 50mm prime lens a lot.

Q: what is your favorite place for wildlife photography in Africa/the rest of the world, and why?

Currently it is the Masai Mara in Kenya. At the moment it is the source of images I am looking for, I’ve a particular affinity to lions and leopards, and the wide open spaces suit my style photography best I feel.

Q: What is your current project you are working on?

I am foremost collecting black and white wildlife images for a forthcoming exhibition and book.

Q: What is a dream project for you in the future?

Possibly an much extended trip to any place where I can further achieve what I hope I am doing now.

Q: What are your concerns for the future regarding protecting the African wildlife and national parks?

The overcrowding and harassment I sometimes see of wildlife. Although arguably I am part of it by being there, I am not in favour of the interference their daily lives I often see there too. Watching tourists unwittingly cease the hunt of a big cat is always unfortunate.

Q: What do you try to achieve with your photography?

I hope to send the message that all wildlife has a right to being, just as we do, and that all animals are sentient, even if to varying degrees. When you see them in their natural habitat, this becomes noticeable and to that end I hope to catch that in camera too.

Q: Do you consider yourself being an artist?

Yes, because my aim is for pictures for walls. A well executed picture framed and on a wall has more impact than it would, sa,y in a magazine or book.

Here are the first two parts of our series, other will follow:

Wildlife Photographers (2): Marlon du Toit

Posted by dc on August 22, 2012
Posted in: Canon, photo gear, Safari photography, wildlife photographers. Tagged: , , , , . 1 comment

In our series about wildlife photographers (part 1 you find here), I am honored to present you Marlon du Toit of Singita, South Africa. If you really want to know what makes his photography so full of live and love to nature, check out his Facebook page, and you will find out. Users there just love the dynamics of Marlons images, his closeness to the animals, and the way he is able to capture this with his camera. I mailed him my set of questions, and Marlon took the time for safari-photographer.com to answer all questions very thorougly. That is the reason why I decided to publish Marlons answers in the form of  an interview. Thanks again Marlon for the effort and the great insights you are giving us!

Marlon du Toits camera gear is like this:

Canon 1D Mk3
Canon 400 2.8 IS L
Canon 70-200 IS L II
Canon 16-35 2.8 L II
Clik Elite and Redged gear (endorsed)

What is your favorite lense, and why?
Currently the 400 2.8. It creates lovely sharp and rich images with great tone and a beautiful bouquet. I have taken some sweet images with it. I don’t mind the extra weight for the quality of images I am getting!

What is your favorite place for wildlife photography in Africa/the rest of the world, and why?
I recently visited Mana Pools National Park and it will take a whole lot to beat it!! I have been to northern Tanzania too, stunning up there! Have not photographed abroad but would love to photograph grizzly’s and wolves, tigers and a snow leopard :-)
I would also love to spend time in Peru and other parts of South America.

What is your current project you are working on?
I am a full time guide with Singita. I have also taken on the role of photographic guide and ambassador for Wild Eye, a south african based photo safari company, some very exciting developments there. I will also host workshops for Africa Geographic middle September, as well as lead 2 five day photo safaris for them in November.

What are your concerns for the future regarding protecting the African wildlife and national parks?
Being an African you obviously want to protect your country and continent not only for yourself but for your children and so forth too. I want my kids to see what I saw, and how sad it would be if animals like rhinos vanish within twenty years. There are too many concern with Africa at the moment, from the road through the Serengeti to the mining of Mana pools. We just have to try and fight this till the end. Every signature and effort helps in the end and if everybody helps in their own capacity and stand up for mother Africa, perhaps she will be around in her natural state for many generations to come.

What do you try to achieve with your photography?
I try and capture a unique and special moment in time, a moment that will make people sit up and take notice. I wish for all to see how amazing and beautiful Africa is. There are constantly issues threatening African wildlife and any awareness I can create through my talent is a step forward for me.

Do you consider yourself being an artist?
Yes, I think that photography on a professional level requires a huge amount of time and patience. Spending countless hours out there trying to capture the shot and then painstakingly finishing your image up in your digital darkroom is an art without doubt. After all the word photography refers to “painting with light” …

In unserer Reihe “Wildlife Photographers” habe ich nun die Ehre, einen wirklich fabelhaften, extrem authentischen afrikanischen Fotografen vorstellen zu dürfen: Marlon du Toit. Marlon arbeitet hautberuflich für Singita Game Reserves, welche einige sehr schöne, Upmarket Lodges in Südafrika, Tansania und Zimbabwe betreiben. Marlons Fotografie besticht durch seine authentische Direktheit, und seiner Nähe zu den Tieren. Ein ungekünstelter, inspririerender Moment von Nähe zu Tier und Natur zeichnet seine Tieraufnahmen aus, und das wird besonders deutlich in Marlons Facebookprofil. Aus Sabi Sands gibt es einige wirklich tolle Leopardenaufnahmen!

Marlon ist ein Canon Benutzer, und arbeitet hauptsächlich lediglich mit drei Objektiven (siehe oben): Ein 400er Festbrennweite, das lichtstarke Canon L 70-200 2.8., und ein schönes Weitwinkel für Landschaften, das Canon L 16-35. Mehr braucht man nicht unbedingt, schein mir!

Da Marlon meine Fragen sehr ausführlich und toll beantwortet hat, erscheinen Sie in Form eines Interviews. Den ersten Teil der Reihe von safari-photographer.com über Naturfotografen findet ihr hier

Seine letzte Antwort hebe ich mir für den deutschen Part des Artikels auf, es ist schön, dass man auch Fernweh bekommen kann, wenn man täglich in einem tollen Gebiet wie Sabi Sands in Südafrika arbeiten darf:

What is a dream project for you in the future?
To be a full time and successful photographic guide and adventure traveller, photographing the places of my dreams across the world. I am allowed to dream a little hey :-)

Wildlife Photographers (1): Markus Mauthe

Posted by dc on August 15, 2012
Posted in: conservation projects, photo gear, Safari photography, Serengeti, Tanzania, wildlife photographers, wildlife photography. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Well, actually I came upon Markus Mauthe because I wanted to link from my blog to his very detailed and inspring report about being in the Serengeti. Then I found out that this guy is a great wildlife photographer as well, with a very interesting upcoming project with foto sessions in Patagonia, Tasmania, Nepal, Palau and the Arctic, among other beautiful places of our little blue planet.

And yes, this planet of us is in danger, and that is why Markus is working together with Greenpeace, to act against the destruction of nature, wildlife, and the oceans. Photographing the beauty of planet earth is one way to make people think and feel, and this you can see in Markus`photography, his workshops and lectures.

Markus Mauthe uses Nikon camera gear and lenses, this is his equipment:

Nikon D3x + D4
21 mm Zeiss
35-70 mm Nikon
200-400 mm Nikon
600 mm Nikon
Gitzo Carbon tripod – ballhead: Really Right Stuff
beanbag

When in the Serengeti lately, most of the pictures he took he used the Nikon 600mm lens, which is a bit of his favorite lens. When on location, Markus tries to capture the specific character and beauty of the landscape in a typical, unspoiled manner. He wants to document it, and show in his images the true character of the region.

I always ask photographers , if they are fans of other photographers or if they have an idol. Markus told me, he does actually not. Well, maybe with one exception, which is Ingo Arndt, one of the best know German masters of wildlife photography.

His project together with Greenpeace “Naturwunder Erde” (“earths natural wonders”) is about showing the beauty and vulnerability of our planet, and will lead him quite a bit around to some stunning places, like described above. You can follow this project on Markus´blog wildview.de (and on this blog, too), and on Facebook.

In loser aber regelmässiger Folge wird safari-photographer.com über ausgesuchte Natur – und Tierfotografen berichten. Den Anfang macht Markus Mauthe, den ich eigentlich wegen seines hervorragende Serengeti Berichts angeschrieben hatte. Aber dann sah ich, dass er ein Klasse-Fotograf ist, und das war die Idee für den Beginn der Reihe “wildlife photographers”. Seine Nikon Kameraausrüstung ist oben beschrieben, sein grosses Projekt “Naturwunder”, zusammen mit Greenpeace” könnt ihr auf seinem Blog verfolgen. Die Links zum Blog als auch zu Facebook kommen im Anschluss. Für die deutschen Leser interessant sind sicherlich auch die Vortragsreihen und Workshops, welche Markus veranstaltet, mehr dazu auf seiner Homepage.