Posts Tagged ‘photography tours’
2013 Sailfish Trip Dates Announced
The Sailfish Trip for 2013 is set and I am now taking bookings for the 5 spaces. This trip is limited to just 5 people per boat for comfort and maximum opportunity to get great shots and encounters during the hunt.
1 space remains for these dates.
Price will be $3,500 which includes shared hotel room , airport transfers, and some meals.
Some openings are available on these other dates. Please enquire about securing a spot.
Dec 29th (arrive) – Jan 4 (depart)
Jan 3 – Jan 9
Jan 9 – Jan 15
Jan 20 – Jan 26
Jan 25 – Jan 31
Jan 30 – Feb 7 ( 7 days on Boat) *inquire for price
See details on my website or contact me
Edited: February 2nd, 2012
Tiger Shark Expedition Report on Website
All the guests signed the TIger Shark Flag after our first encounter
The 2012 Tiger Shark Dive Expedition was fantastic! The weather was great and so was the company. All of the photographers came back with great photos and some said it was the best dive trip they had ever been on.
Read my Expedition Report on my Website
Still have spaces for my April Safari in South Africa - inquire now!
Edited: February 2nd, 2012
Tiger Shark Dive Expedition was filled with great encounters
Everyone disembarked the boat a bit tired but exhilarated by the 5 wonderful days of diving and sharks. The weather could not have been more beautiful and the tiger sharks were abundant. The photographers in the group returned with excellent photographs and the non photographers in the group had some exciting memories.
I really enjoyed meeting all of the wonderful people on this trip and seeing again the excellent crew on the Dolphin Dream.
I am still trying to secure dates for a Feb or March 2013 expedition on this popular boat and I have booked March 1 – 7th for 2014. See my photo tours website for details on this and my other trips or visit www.TigerSharkDive.com
Edited: January 15th, 2012
Manatee Photography Tips from my Manatee Photography Workshop Jan 2012
Cinemagraph of a Manatee
see more of my cinemagraphs and a tutorial on how to make them in a post Cinemagraph Tutorial
I have only a few spots still open for my Manatee Photography Workshop in Crystal River, FL Jan 22 – 28th 2012. Contact me soon to secure your spot.
We will be in the water nearly all day with the manatees which gives you plenty of time to practice your techniques and get some really great shots. Unlike other underwater creatures that are gone in one exposure, manatees are slow and linger. Take advantage of this by planning each shot and doing some in the field analysis and learning from images you just made.
Getting a Great Shot of a Manatee Up for a Breath
The Situation:
There is a manatee asleep on the bottom near you. Regulations say that you are not allowed to disturb them – especially diving down to get pictures of them asleep. They can stay under for 10 minutes which is way to long to hover just underwater and wait. How do you get a good image of them coming up for a breath?
1) Choose a manatee who is facing such that there will be light on its face (not in the shade from a tree) and is preferably not facing such that you will be shooting into the sun.
2) Decide your angle; 3/4 shot, directly on, full side pose, vertical or horizontal camera position. Scan what will be the background and plan to place undesirable elements like people behind the manatee or out of frame.
3) Get into position and float relaxed. Think about your settings, take test shots, adjust. Take special note of the view of the sky through the water. The deeper you are the more sky will show. This may not be ideal.
4) When it is time, you will want to force some air out of your lungs which will make you sink a bit (you have already tested this and set your weights correctly). Push water up slowly but firmly with one hand to get you under – Do not move your legs or you will cloud your own picture and possibly freak out the manatee.
5) Watch the manatee. They usually have a “tell” when they are preparing to surface. Their body will rock a bit then begin to rise. Exhale and sink, snapping pictures and keeping your body still and compact to limit movement.
6) snap shots while the manatee is on the way up. Watch the framing of your shot to get the whole animal – nose to tail- in the shot.
7) Get a shot as he breaks the surface and takes in air. Then some on the way back down with the ripples on the surface. The manatee may fall pretty fast. Sometimes they dont get enough air and go right back up or linger. Just hold your breath and be still . Get the shot. You will have 10 minutes to rest and try again.
While you wait for the next breath examine your shots. Make a new plan. Try a different manatee if this one is not in a good spot.
Edited: December 10th, 2011
Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS “Soonish” Great for Safari
From www.canonrumors.com
Finally on its way?
I was told today that a new EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS will be making its debut “soonish”. It will be after the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x is officially announced.
It could be tested at Euro 2012 before being announced.
Features
Ring zoom (not push/pull)
Latest IS System
82mm Filter Size
Weather Sealed
Slightly heavier than the current model
Slightly faster f/4 at 100mm (Current is f/4.5)
Retail around $2800 USD
CR’s Take
A few folks want an EF 400 f/5.6L IS, I’d think this sort of product would fill the void. I’d expect it to be optically awesome.
This comes from a pretty solid source, though lenses are always hard to nail down.
This will be a treasured addition to my African Safari bag. I might start leaving my 300mm at home.
Edited: November 18th, 2011
The End of Another Great Safari
It has been a day since the guests departed tired but very happy. Not all of the guests were photographers this time, but everyone enjoyed our time with the animals. Some of the non photographers might have been convinced into taking up the habit after trying some of the huge array of equipment present on the trip.
I have been slow to go through my images this trip. After a few hours with them this afternoon, I took a step back and appreciated how we are able to get nice, close shots of animals. I really love to study the images close up and try to read the story behind the scars, broken teeth, or scrapes on the antlers. The range of wildlife we encounter is also a marvel.
I have included images that demonstrate how close we can get. The longest lens I use is a 300mm.
Edited: October 14th, 2011
Wildlife as a Cinemagraph
Cheetah Cinemagraph
I have been looking for ways to use the video capability of my Canon 5DMKII without launching into full video editing. I just do not have the time to do all of that editing. I have started making “cinemagraphs” : still photos with a small subtle element of movement. They are time consuming, but I am hoping to get more skilled and efficient as a overcome the learning curve.
The movement is a few frames of video masked into the still image.
Making these with wild animal images is challenging because the subject does not stay still like an inanimate object or a human model .
This latest effort too alot of time because I was using quite a long video clip. Each frame has to be masked so by the time I had perfected the masks, I had iterrated through my 49 frames (layers) several times.
In my next attempt I will use a tripod: Photoshop can make up for camera shake, but it is a long render. I am still trying to figure out how to do this for an underwater image where the fish is not still and a tripod is impossible.
My first endeavor is this blinking lion cub. I look forward to having a whole gallery of these fun images.
Edited: October 11th, 2011
Magic at Kruger
There is nothing better than the elephant encounters in Kruger. Usually it takes us until afternoon to find the herds heading for water or a mud bath, but today we found them early and they dominated our morning. We had large family groups with some really little babies. It is hard to photograph the really little ones as the mothers and other females keep them so close and under foot. Not far from the herds were some really large males. Kruger has a contest to photograph and identify the “Great Tuskers” ; the largest bulls with the biggest ivory tusks. Some of the oldest ones have passed on recently, so they are on the look out to find the newest members of this elite group, rank them, and track them. 
Giraffes and zebras and also very easy to photograph in Kruger and they often are found gathered together. This season the zebras were very aggressive within their herds and fought bitterly over rights to the first drink and the water source.
Soon the Africa summer rains will start and Kruger will being to green up and the animals will move away from the watering holes when water becomes more plentiful. It is very pleasing to visit at this time of year for the added visibility (low grass) and the cooler temperatures.
Edited: October 10th, 2011
A Wonderful Day and Day of Wonder in Kruger
It was a splendid warm day today and perfect for being in Kruger. We had many wonderful animal encounters starting with a cheetah who had just made a kill near the road (oh to have been a few minutes sooner!). We watched as this radio – collared individual struggled to drag the kill into the grass. We then realized that it had another fresh kill already hidden in the grass. Unfortunately it did not start to feast, but sat down for a rest. I wonder if there were cubs stashed nearby.
I was excited to once again see ground hornbills out on patrol. I love odd birds and these big guys make for great photos. Their black coloring makes them confusing to the light meter in your camera so it is easy to overexpose if your metering is not set right. They also keep their eyes to the ground so you have to be ready for them to look up.
This old giraffe has fought hard over his life. I thought this was just a mediocre image of an unusually dark giraffe until I looked closely at his face. The story it tells in scars is powerful. All over its body are other big scars; one even looks like a predator bit a chunk out of it leg. They seem so peaceful and laid back, but life is hard no matter what species you are.
We did not cover much ground today because we elected to park and enjoy the elephants bathing in a mud puddle. So many came throughout the day and they had such fun that we could not pull ourselves away. Some were completely submerged and others would fall on top of them. Their fun was infectious. This was one of those times where I put down the camera for a long period of time and just lived in the moment with this family of elephants.
Edited: October 6th, 2011
The Final Day of Whale Sharks Requires Speed
Today we experienced different conditions and behaviour. For the last 2 days we have found large groups of hundreds of feeding individuals, today there were small groups. The biggest difference was that they were swimming much faster and often under the surface.
We had it easy for 2 days with the whale sharks almost coming to us and cruising slowly right on the surface. Today was an aerobic workout to keep pace with these huge fish. Good training for conditions today would have been to go out into the middle of a 35 mph wide street and try to photograph buses head on.
Many times I had to dive quickly to avoid a collision. I am pleased to know that I can keep pace with a whale shark, but it was very tiring.
Unfortunately it was our last day on the boat so after another delicious meal out and some shopping we will be packing for home.
Edited: August 8th, 2011
Another beautiful day with the Whale Sharks
For our second day we had to move a few miles further out as the crib patch and the whale sharks had moved over night. Once we were on the site we could see that there were even more in one spot than the day before, maybe 150 – 200.
The sharks seemed to be swimming and feeding a little deeper under the surface than they had been on the previous day. Yesterday they skimmed right at the surface with the sound of water rushing into their mouths. Today some were just below the surface. This made it easier for them to sneak up on you from behind.
We had so much fun following an individual getting many great photos then shortly after you stop it would turn and loop back to you.
I had a few goals to my photography today: to get a silhouette against the surface taken from below and some close shots into the mouth and other anatomical features.
Edited: August 7th, 2011
First Day of our Whale Shark Adventure
We had a smooth travel day to Cancun and transfer to Isla Mujeres. We arrived in the late afternoon which afforded us the chance to wander leisurely down the streets and have long and relaxing dinner.
Today was our first day in the water. Our boat left the dock this morning and traveled calm waters under a sunny sky. We had no problem locating a large aggregation of whale sharks. The rest of the day would be spent in the water with them.
All around us the whale sharks swim at the surface with open mouths. They swim toward the boat and veer off at the last second. Accompanying them is a swooshing sound of the water rushing into wide open mouth and swirling around the exposed dorsal fin.
In the water is is possible to keep pace with an individual. When they make a turn you are well positioned to get a head on shot. As they continue by I have to be careful to avoid the large sideways arc of the tail . I look around and another is approaching not far behind me. When there is a pause in encounters it is not long before one or more are on their way.
I am smiling to myself enjoying this very special adventure. I have plenty of time to study and note all of the features of an individual’s anatomy: the spots, the shape of the fin built for maximum speed, the large gills to allow water to pass through. They seem so unfazed by our presence.
I am looking forward to getting more shots tomorrow in the continuing clear visibility, blue water, sunny skies , and flat seas.
What a Treat. Now it is Taco time!
Edited: August 6th, 2011
