Isak Pretorius Blog

MASHATU WINTER BLISS

2011-07-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

The dry season in Mashatu usually means good game sightings. The dry conditions force animals to congregate at the last remaining waterholes. Our recent photographic workshop to Mashatu in June always had the prospect of good sightings, but nothing could have prepared us for what we were about to see. The sightings and photographic opportunities were not just good, they were phenomenal!

First Day

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Canon 1D Mark IV | 600mm | 1/400sec at f/5.6, ISO 200

One of the highlights on our first afternoon drive was to try different lighting techniques on a pair of lions with the vehicles' spotlights. Everyone had fun mastering backlit/rim, side and front lighting. The next morning we were out early and found a hyena den close to camp - a big clan with lots of youngsters that were playing outside the den each morning until late. Mashatu also delivered the usual specials with large breeding herds of elephants, including a day-old baby still with a piece of its umbilical cord attached, good bird photographic opportunities and the normal plains game.

Low Angle Glossy Ibis

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Canon 1D Mark IV | 600mm | 1/1600sec at f/5.6, ISO 800

One afternoon we stumbled upon a small pan with about 30 foraging glossy ibises. These usually bland subjects looked spectacular in the late afternoon sun. That was exactly the type of photography that gets my heart racing - making ordinary subjects look spectacular. They were surprisingly accommodating and allowed us to get very close to them - out of the vehicle and onto the ground for that low angle perspective.

Mounting Tension

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Nikon D3s | 400mm (200-400mm) | 1/800sec at f/5, ISO 1000

You know that a trip is going well when a sighting of lions fighting with hyenas are not even considered the highlight of the weekend. On the second morning's drive we followed the same male and female lion we saw on our first game drive and observed how they wandered too close to the hyena den. The whole clan of eight adult hyenas grouped together and started harassing the trespassers. The young male's temper flared up in a number of sequences that offered first class action photography opportunities as he defended himself.

Red Nose Day

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Nikon D3s | 250mm (200-400mm) | 1/100sec at f/4.5, ISO 3200

A female leopard with three cubs have been in the area for our entire stay and we were dying to get a good look at them. Small gaps through the thicket allowed us to get some record shots at various stages, but with such young cubs we knew our chances were slim of getting good leopard cub shots. On our fifth drive our patience were rewarded when the leopard and her cubs walked in a dry riverbed an even allowed us to observe them while drinking water. This was a special moment for us all. At the time we did not know however, that this was just an appetizer for things to come. That night she made a kill and dragged it into a nearby tree. We returned to this sighting on each of our last three game drives and felt privileged to observe and photograph an episode of these leopards' lives!

An Ear with Character

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Canon 1D Mark IV | 600mm | 1/250sec at f/5.6, ISO 800

Once again Mashatu revealed to us some of its unique and spectacular treasures. We can not wait to return there soon!

- Isak

CHANGING ANGLES AT MASHATU

2011-01-10T10:21:00.000-08:00

"Changing your angle" is one of the techniques we teach during our photographic workshops. It means photographing from a different angle than normal, usually from a lower angle, close to the ground, capturing the subject eye-level with a soft background to create more striking photographs. With the right subject and conditions, this technique can help you make a good photo, GREAT!

Leopard King

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Canon 1D Mark IV | 600mm | 1/20sec at f/4, ISO 800

During C4 Images' last Mashatu workshop for 2010, in early December, we focussed on applying this technique - with great success I might add. It's not just the freedom that a place like Mashatu Game Reserve gives us to get out the vehicles and try different techniques, but also the number of photographic opportunities that makes Mashatu such a productive photographic destination. It always delivers unique and spectacular subjects and environments.

Saddle-billed Stork Looking for Breakfast

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Nikon D3s | 200mm (200-400mm) | 1/1600sec at f/4, ISO 400

During the photographic workshop, our clients thoroughly enjoyed exploring all genres of photography. It was not only the striking images we got from changing our angle and photographing laying flat on the ground on numerous occasions, but also one afternoon's spectacular thunderstorm with photographs of lightning and landscapes that had everybody very excited. A great sighting of a leopard on a log and lions with very small playful cubs rounded off a very successful five days spent in the bush.

Low Angle Hyena

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Nikon D3s | 320mm (200-400mm) | 1/320sec at f/4, ISO 400

Mashatu always deliver spectacular subjects in unique environments. C4 Images are looking forward to 2011 and our workshops to this wonderful place!

Low Angle Photography

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Canon 5D Mark II | 16mm (16-35mm) | 1/250sec at f/8, ISO 800

Mopani Contrast

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Canon 1D Mark III | 150mm | 1/20sec at f/22, ISO 400

- Isak

NOT JUST ABOUT THE PUKU

2010-11-25T23:41:00.000-08:00

The Puku is an antelope found in wet grasslands in southern Democratic Republic of Congo and in Zambia. It stands about 80cm tall at the shoulders and weigh between 70 to 80kg. Puku are sandy brown in colour with the underbelly a few shades lighter. Males have around 50cm long ridge structured horns. Both territorial and alarm calls are a repeated shrill whistle sound. They are beautiful animals! The recent C4 Images Workshop took our guests to Puku Ridge Camp in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. There are a lot of puku in the park, but we didn't specifically go there to photograph them! Our objective was to find plenty of game and other photographic opportunities. Not only did we find exactly what we were looking for, but we were also blown away by the incredible beauty and variety that the park had to offer!

Puku Portrait

South Luangwa, Zambia

Canon 1D Mark IV | 600mm | 1/1250sec at f/5.6, ISO 400

The South Luangwa National Park is a photographer's dream - wild and remote it's one of Africa's most unspoiled places with enormous spaces, a wide variety of habitats and a high density of game. It is one of Zambia's largest National Parks, covering an area of over 9,000 square kilometers in the Luangwa Valley. The survival of the valley depends on the winding Luangwa River, crowded with hippos, crocodiles and waterfowl, and its numerous tributaries that course through the park. Just before the big summer rains the bushes have wilted and the earth becomes bone dry, so animals assemble along the river and at the remaining waterholes. This is the best time for game viewing.

Leopard Meal

South Luangwa, Zambia

Nikon D3s | 400mm (200-400mm) | 1/160sec at f/4, ISO 1600

The Photographic Workshop was held at Puku Ridge Camp, located in a remote area of the National Park overlooking a floodplain close to the Luangwa River. To reach this camp requires a two hour flight from Johannesburg to Lusaka and then a chartered transfer to Mfuwe Aiport. It's a small intimate camp with seven luxury tents and a communal area with a lounge, bar, dining area and deck, all overlooking a waterhole on the floodplain. As at all Sanctuary Lodges, the food and service are exceptional and we were especially impressed by the quality of the guides. At the waterhole in front of camp there is a constant flow of animals coming to drink during the day, making it an attractive option to skip the afternoon drive to photograph at the waterhole instead, and this from the comfort of the lounge. When we saw a leopard drinking at this waterhole during dinner on our first night, we knew this workshop was going to be special.

Splashing in the Luangwa River

South Luangwa, Zambia

Canon 1D Mark IV | 600mm | 1/500sec at f/4, ISO 800

As a photographic workshop our guests were not just keen to visit one of Africa's world-renowned wildlife havens, but also keen to learn all the genres and techniques of nature photography. Our workshops always attract people that have an appreciation for nature and a passion for photography which by default guarantees the workshop to be a great success. We had great fun teaching everything from light and composition, portrait, action, landscape, slow-shutter panning blur, flash, spotlight-at-night, and HDR photography, to processing photos and managing a large photo library. The theory is put into practice during the morning and afternoon game drives where the photography guides are close by to lend a helping hand.

Carmine Snack

South Luangwa, Zambia

Canon 1D Mark III | 200mm (70-200mm) | 1/2500sec at f/5.6, ISO 400

We were spoiled with excellent sightings of predators and general game, birds and spectacular landscapes. Highlights included three leopards trying to break through the tough skin of a dead young hippo. The cause of death was unsure, but the leopards struggled for hours to get to the meat without success and became very agitated with the whole situation. Later that night we returned to see how four lions eventually chased the leopards off the carcass. Other highlights included photographing at a carmine bee-eater colony, ebony forests, mating lions, elephants walking through the river, pools with hundreds of hippos, and spectacular sunsets and sunrises on the Luangwa River.

Ebony Grove

South Luangwa, Zambia

Canon 1D Mark IV | 16mm (16-35mm) | 1/250sec at f/8, ISO 400

Scaping on the Luangwa River

South Luangwa, Zambia

Canon 5D Mark II | 23mm (16-35mm) | 1/10sec at f/8, ISO 1250

A big thank you to camp managers Don and Suku, our guides Joseph and Malemia, and the staff of Puku Ridge Camp who made this such an awesome experience for us all!

- Isak

EXPERIENCE WILDERNESS

2010-11-15T02:03:00.000-08:00

Chiefs Island in the heart of the Okavango Delta is pure wilderness and a land of incredible beauty. Vast open seasonal floodplains with palm tree islands. Herds of animals roaming free and wild exactly like they have for thousands of years. Unspoiled scenic beauty that stretches as far as the eye can see. To experience this and to have it all to yourself to enjoy is pure magic! The recent C4 photographic workshop to Chiefs Camp offered our guests exactly that. This is my favorite destination in Africa.

Our photographic workshop was a great success, especially because we're such like-minded people, having a lot of laughs together, and enjoying the good photography and nature experience that this wilderness had to offer. Game viewing was fantastic with great sightings of the general Delta game, the big five, and a rare glimpse of a leopard carrying a week old cub. This leopard is close to camp and very accommodating towards photographers, a beautiful poser. We are looking forward to seeing her more during the upcoming safaris to Chiefs Island. Although we didn't do serious birding, we unofficially tallied more than 130 species for the trip. This included numerous lifers for most of the guests.

Leopard and Cub

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Nikon D3s | 400mm (200-400mm) | 1/640sec at f/5, ISO 1600

New Life in Gold

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Nikon D3s | 290mm (200-400mm) | 1/60sec at f/16, ISO 800

Chiefs Camp is tucked between beautiful big Jackalberry, Sausage and Apple-leaf trees on the edge of the actual island, overlooking a seasonal floodplain. The camp has recently been renovated and the accommodation, food and comfort that the camp offers are exceptional. It's easy to see why this camp has been voted the best lodge in Botswana for three years in a row now!

Rufous-naped Lark Display

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Canon 1D Mark IV | 600mm | 1/2500sec at f/4, ISO 320

As a photographic safari our objective was to get top wildlife photos as much as it was to experience this untamed wilderness. Chiefs Island delivered superbly in both categories. Apart from the good photography, we also extended our experience into the air with a flip in a helicopter over the Delta, and an afternoon's mokoro experience on one of the main channels in the Delta.

Okavango Delta Helicopter Experience

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Canon 1D Mark IV | 16mm (16-35mm) | 1/1000sec at f/8, ISO 400

Elephants from the Air

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Canon 5D Mark II | 78mm (70-200mm) | 1/2500sec at f/8, ISO 1000

Thanks to all our guests, my co-host Albie Venter, our drivers Ishmael and Sky, and all the staff at the camp who made this such a memorable experience for all of us!

- Isak

RATING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

2010-10-01T00:00:00.001-07:00

Finding your best photographs quickly and easily is essential for any serious photographer. This becomes increasingly important if you have a large photo library. In all the popular workflow packages that photographers use these days, the star rating system is the standard method to distinguish between exceptional, good and average photos in your library. It can be overwhelming and very time consuming to search through thousands of photos when you are looking for your best ones. The objective with star rating photos is thus to filter to a manageable number of photos for each star rating value, rated carefully through your personal well-defined process.

The physical process of star rating photos is relatively simple and can be done with ease in all the popular photo management software packages like Lightroom, Aperture, Bridge or Breezebrowser. In Lighroom, for example, I press the 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 button on selected photos to rate them. To remove the rating I simply press the 0 key again. The biggest problem I have found with the star rating system when looking at our guests' rating process is when the standard for the different rating values are not well defined by the user, they end up getting confused about the rating value, and that results in many over and under rated photos.

I've come up with my own simple and effective star rating system which requires minimum effort but provides me with the search power that I require to find specific photos. If you tend to take a lot of photos then it becomes increasingly important to follow a process to quickly rate the best photos and eliminate the unusable photos. You can save yourself a lot of time if you never have to look at any unusable photos twice. The most important initial objective for me when downloading new photos is to rate them. I "develop" the photos much later in my workflow, when I have time, usually only when I need to submit photos somewhere or when I create a collection of photos.

My process works as follows: While I download my images into Lightroom, I start going through them one by one, judging their usability. Photos that are technically correct and properly exposed I mark as 1-star, and photos that are striking and worth another look I mark as 2-star. After I've gone through all the downloaded photos, I delete all the photos that have not been marked with any star values. At this stage I've optimized my effort by getting rid of the unusable photos, but also rating the striking photos as 2-star so that I have a manageable number of photos to search through when I want to see my best work.

The second step is to look through all my 2-star photos. Now I'm looking for striking images that are unique and that have "something special" about them. I mark those images as 3-star: they are typically the ones that I recon stand a good chance to do well in a competition for example. I would also make sure that I keep a maximum of three photos within a series of very similar photos.

The grading standard between 1, 2, and 3-star photos is thus very simple and straight forward, but if you have a large photo library you might still have too many 3-star photos to search through to find your best photos. Now we have to rate the best of the best. My next step is to look at all my 3-star photos within one-month timeframes and rate the best 3-star photo as a 4-star. Thus, within any year timeframe I could have more or less twelve 4-star photos for that year. The last step is to select the very best of the best by picking the best 4-star photo from a one-year timeframe and rate it as a 5-star photo. The 5-star photos are my very best photos, and after a career of photography I might only have a handful of 5-star photos. If someone wants to see my best photos I could show them the few 5-star photos, but also the larger collection of 4-star photos which have been carefully selected but that is small enough not to overwhelm the viewer.

My grading standard is:

1-star: sharp, correctly exposed and usable
2-star: the same as 1-star, but it has something special about it, e.g. great light, action, behavior or a unique species
3-star: the same as 2-star, but the photo is unique and draws your attention
4-star: the best 3-star image within a 1-month timeframe
5-star: the best 4-star image within a 1-year timeframe

1 Star

Greater Kruger, South Africa

Nikon D3s | 270mm (200-400mm) | 1/800sec at f/5.6, ISO 400

2 Star

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa

Canon 1D Mark III | 300mm f/4 | 1/320sec at f/4, ISO 200

3 Star

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Canon 5D Mark II | 140mm (70-200mm f/2.8) | 1/1250sec at f/5.6, ISO 400

4 Star

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Canon 5D Mark II | 600mm f/4 | 1/50sec at f/7.1, ISO 1250

5 Star

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Canon 1D Mark III | 160mm (70-200mm f/4 + 1.4x) | 1/160sec at f/4.5, ISO 2500

Typically, if you've collected 50,000 usable photos over 12 years your star rating breakdown could be as follows:

1-star: 45,000 photos
2-star: 5,000 photos
3-star: 500 photos
4-star: 144 photos
5-star: 12 photos

Star rating photos adds a lot of value to my photography on many levels. It depends however on my decline to follow my process diligently, but I can now, with minimum effort, enjoy my photography so much more! I hope this blogpost will help you in formulating your own process to make the most of your photography!

- Isak

WELCOME!

2010-09-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to my blog!

I'm a naturalist who loves photographing the beauty of the natural world! My aim is to portray nature's beauty in a fresh and creative way. Most of my photography is done in Southern Africa, where I work and live.

I intend to use this blog to keep you informed about my photographic excursions, showcasing some photographs from recent and older trips, links to websites and portfolios that I find interesting, and instructions on my photographic techniques and the digital workflow that I follow. I hope you'll enjoy the photographs and find the information useful.

Golden Reflection

Marievale Bird Sanctuary, South Africa

Canon 1D Mark II N | EF600mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4x | 1/2000sec at f/6.3, ISO 800

Hopefully we'll get to meet and photograph the African wildlife together soon. May our future be spectacular, with good wildlife sightings and inspirational photography!

- Isak