Tag: Nature

Wildlife Photographic Emperor Penguin Cover Shot July / August 2024

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The just-published July / August 2024 issue of Wildlife Photographic magazine includes one of my photographs of Emperor Penguins on the front cover and a feature article on my experiences photographing Emperors in the deep south of Antarctica. This is the seventh time I have been published in Wildlife Photographic and the sixth time I have been fortunate to score the cover shot! (the last five cover shot editions were on Walrus photography,  Grey Wolf Photography, Pallas Cat Photography,  Arctic Fox Photography, and Polar Bear Photography). I have also been previously been published in Wildlife Photographic for my Emperor Penguin photography.

Wildlife Photographic can be read on iOS and Android devices, as well as from any computer via our Web Reader at MagsFast. Please use the following link to obtain your free issue:  Free Subscription to Wildlife Photographic Magazine. 

Photograph of the Month July 2024 Cheetah Brothers at Play

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The photograph of the month for July 2024 comes from my recent Zululand South Africa masterclass workshop (Read the Trip Report) and is of two Cheetah brothers playing at sunset. This was an extremely fortunate situation whereby we came across the Cheetahs in an open area of the game reserve right at sunset. I had the luxury of choice of how to shoot this scene and could have chosen to side-light it or even to take it front-lit. However, it was immediately clear to me that the backlight would provide the most dramatic image. The key to this sort of image is to always expose the brightest part of the frame (the sun) and to let the shadows fall where they may. In this exposure, the shadows were quite dark, and I opened them just slightly in post-production to give just a hint of the Cheetah’s spots. Of course, the moment is dramatic, with both Cheetahs off the ground. A fast shutter speed ensured both cats were sharp, and I stopped the 400mm f2.8L lens down to f6.3 to ensure I had sufficient depth of field to keep both cats sharp. The low angle of view was achieved by lying down in the grass – one of the key benefits to this particular location.

I am offering this masterclass workshop again in May next year -May 7th to May 16th 2025. Whether it’s your first visit to Africa or you’re a seasoned safari-goer, the 2025 Zululand ground-level wildlife masterclass offers an incredible opportunity to photograph African wildlife at eye level. The exclusive camp takeover provides unmatched access and flexibility, enhancing the photographic experience for all participants. With only a few places remaining, please contact me soon to secure your spot. This workshop is an extraordinary adventure, offering unique and powerful photographic opportunities.

Photograph of the Month May 2024 Arctic Fox in Blizzard

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With all the hype about the Canon EOS R1 over the last couple of weeks, I have neglected to update the website with the (dare I say ‘more important’) photograph of the month. Without further ado, the photograph of the month for May 2024 comes from my February workshop for Arctic Foxes in the far north of Iceland (Read the Trip Report). This photograph is my favourite from the trip as it speaks to me emotionally on many different levels. The environment is dramatic with the blizzard, reduced visibility and flying snow. We get a real sense of a winter storm and the brutal reality of the Arctic winter. We have the mountains and ocean for context and a wonderful foreground of steep snow bank. The Arctic fox is small in the frame, making it appear fragile and alone in the huge Arctic expanse. Additionally, we have the perfect pose of the fox, looking into the camera, dusted with snow, as it watches over the entrance to the fjord on a huge, steep and dramatic snow bank. This sort of ‘animal in the environment’ photograph is often far more evocative and tells a much more profound story than a close-up portrait. Shot with the Canon EOS R3 and the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8L IS, this photograph is also a great example of when you don’t need a super expensive huge telephoto lens to make a fantastic wildlife photograph.

I will be returning again next February to lead another workshop for these wonderful Arcitc opportunists. There are now just a couple of places remaining on my 2025 expedition. If you have ever wanted to photograph Nature’s most remarkable survivor in Winter, this is your opportunity. Our remote cabin is ideally situated as a cozy home away from home and provides a beautiful base from which to photograph the Arctic Fox. Places are minimal; please contact me for complete details.

Photograph of the Month April 2024 Arctic Snow Hare Gallop

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The photograph of the month for April 2024 comes from my recent winter expedition to the east coast of Greenland (full trip report coming soon). It shows an Arctic Snow Hare in full gallop during a howling -40º C blizzard behind the small Inuit village of Ittortoqitormit on the East coast of Greenland. I photographed it with the Canon EOS R3, and the Canon RF 600mm f4L IS lens. The real challenge of this photograph (other than avoiding frostbite) was keeping the fast-moving subject in the frame as it galloped at high speed through the snow. The blizzard wind was incredibly strong, making hand-holding the lens impossible. To counter this, I lay down in the snow, using the snow cover as a makeshift tripod, cranked up the ISO to 1600 and opened up the f-stop to f6.3. This close to the subject meant the depth of field would be extremely narrow, making focus critical. Anything less than perfect focus on the eye would result in zero keepers. Incredibly, the Canon EOS R3 could track and nail focus on the eye of the fast-moving Snow Hare despite the howling wind and flying snow. Focus Case 2 was used to ignore the whirling snow around the hare. The blue background is not the sky (which could not be seen in the white-out conditions), but the wooden wall of one of the small painted houses in the village. This is an excellent example of how depth of field control can be carefully employed to control backgrounds and enhance a photograph. Without the blue background, there would be almost no contrast between the Snow Hare and the background.

Namibia Wildlife and Aerial Masterclass 2024 Availability

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Due to a medical cancellation, a single place has just become available for my May 2024 Namibia Wildlife and Aerial Masterclass workshop. The 2024 masterclass has been designed from the ground up to take in not only the best of Namibia but also luxurious accommodations in the very best private game reserves. We will also have multiple private doors-off helicopter charter flights to photograph the expansive dune sea around the Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei areas. If you have ever wanted to photograph the incredible dune sea of the Namib desert and take in the very best of wildlife this amazing country has to offer, then this is the workshop for you. The trip will run from May 10th until May 22nd and includes all transfers, food and accommodation, as well as all in-field instruction. You can download a complete trip itinerary online here: Trip Itinerary. Drop me an email for further information or to secure the place, first in best dressed.