HarveyG

Buffel’s-Baai (Buffalo-Bay), Goukamma Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

Pushed the limits on the HDR (ToneMap?) here as an experiment. (It is not my favourite processing style but simply an exercise for me.) The Haloing (created during Post Processing) is more evident on the Medium-High quality (Flickr) JPG than on the full size original (PC). I will have to work on that to reduce or remove the effect when posting to web.
Shot with my Nikon D80 (CCD) which is far richer than the later D90/D300 supposedly more advanced (CMOS) sensors! with my new Tokina AT-X 124 AF PRO DX 12-24mm f/4. and NO filter…
This is the original (2006?) Tokina 12-24mm, with glass made by Hoya (the filter people).
The newer PRO DX II version apparently has less flare and ghosting due to some improved coatings, but I don’t think my PRO DX is as bad as it’s made out to be in some reviews, judging by the above and other results I shot this week.

I took more care with the above processing and whilst perhaps not as impactful as the first, it certainly is more realistic and believable.

Gear I use: Bodies: Nikon D-SLR’s / Lenses: Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, Vivitar /
Filters: Hoya UV & Polarizing / Flash: Nikon Speed-lights / Bag: Lowe Pro /
Tripods & Heads: Manfrotto / Grips and Batteries: Phottix
Editing Plug-in: Topaz Labs for Noise Reduction, HDR.

I do the odd tour and assist budding bird photographers shoot at MBG. Join the group on Flickr if you have any images you want to share. This shot was taken with a 1997 Sigma 170-500mm APO f/5-6.3 on a very overcast day with the light changing constantly. A great lens for those with a small budget. Can be bought 2nd hand (locally) for most mounts under $700-00 if you know where to look

The newer Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO can be bought for around $1000-00 new (excluding shipping and taxes from USA to RSA). The local retail brick and mortar price is about $1870-00! (ZAR 12,600-00)

Gymnogene - (Polyboroides typus) (c) HarveyG Photography

Gear I use: Bodies: Nikon D-SLR’s / Lenses: Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, Vivitar /
Filters: Hoya UV & Polarizing / Flash: Nikon Speed-lights / Bag: Lowe Pro /
Tripods & Heads: Manfrotto / Grips and Batteries: Phottix
Editing Plug-in: Topaz Labs for Noise Reduction, HDR.

Freedom (Road Trip) (c) HarveyG Photography

I noticed this image appear in the mirror driving home yesterday and conjured up this concept of a road trip with no-one else in sight.  Stopped the car in the rain, grabbed the D90 and bolted across the road to get a few shots. I waited until only one car was visible coming over the rise to get that feeling of independence and freedom that the open road is renowned for.

Unaltered photo, no Photo Shop post processing except USM (UnSharpMask)

Photo 101: As a photographer you should ALWAYS look behind you, especially when shooting.

Entry here at DPChallenge.com

Those people who zoom drive past a bird in a tree in a park (like the KNP) don’t know what they are missing. Sure Rollers are relatively common, like the Lilac-breasted Roller, that is. This Roller is different. It’s the first time I’ve seen a Purple Roller. I parked the car at an angle so that I could get comfortable with the cameras, idled for 30 seconds, switched off the engine after he got accustomed to us/the car. He took off after a few minutes and caught himself lunch. He then returned to the same spot and gave us a wonderful display. Next time you see a bird in the KNP, hang around a bit…

Shot with a Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 APO Aspherical for Nikon

Purple Roller - Coracias naevius (c) HarveyG Photography 2010

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I am a Wildlife Photographer. I prefer it. It’s a passion.

Perhaps I don’t get out as much as NG photog’s but hey, I do what I can when I can. This stork was spotted by my wife at 100° behind the car and high up in a tree in the KNP after we had driven past it unnoticed. She is an excellent spotter. Just as I managed to turn around and get the car parked in a suitable spot, he took off. I watched him and he circled, and came back to land a short while later on the same branch offering me a better view. There must have been 1/2 dozen other cars that just drove past, seeing a “bird” and not interested, their loss

Wooly-necks aren’t very common. It’s my first sighting of one in almost 30 years of visiting the KNP.

Shot with a Sigma 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 APO Macro for Nikon

Wooly-necked Stork - Ciconia episcopus (c) HarveyG Photography 2010

Click about/contact if you wish to order a print. Thanks!