I believe every birding photographer, after getting all the regular ID type shots, will work his way towards photographing birds doing some sort of activity. This would imply the typical foraging or eating photos, building nests, birds in flight (also see my previous article on this topic), even birds doing the natural thing of ensuring their species will continue to exist, birds on the hunt and so on. When catching those birds in flight, it invariably leads to birds landing and perching again, which is fairly easy to do; the… read more →
I regularly see many photographers posting their birding images on social media, websites etc, in the typical ID pose – full body, cleanish background, head turned slightly sideways to show off the profile of the head and bill, feather detail and colours, and legs with claws. Whilst there is nothing wrong with this, I do it too, there is more to bird photography than just the typical poses. The detail in facial features and bills of birds are just waiting to be captured. Over the years I have done just… read more →
CANON EOS R5 | SIGMA FIELD TEST Text and photo’s by Sigma Ambassador Simon Du Plessis, Actionimage. I was invited by Canon South Africa to do a field review on their new Canon EOS R5 mirrorless body. This kept me quite busy, testing the R5 out in the field using various Canon RF and EF lenses, as well as my Sigma lenses, namely the 120-300 f2.8 Sport, 100-400 f5-6.3 Contemporary and my EX 150 f2.8 Macro. When I collected the R5 from Canon SA, there was concern that the AF… read more →
Ask any three nature photographers how to do birds in flight, and you’ll probably get three different responses. Everyone who do this has developed a method that works for them. Usually it is dependent on type and model of camera body, same for the lens in use and their own personal skills level. So to cut to the chase – the best way to do birds in flight: buy the most top of the line camera body from one of the major brands, buy the fastest focussing, fastest aperture lens… read more →
A journey through my equipment upgrade career Text and photo’s by Sigma Ambassador Simon Du Plessis, Actionimage. A question I am asked often, and I just know a lot of other professional and experienced photographers are asked quite often, is what lens or camera is best for any specific application. Over the past 35 years or so that I’ve been active in photography, starting out as a real beginner with very basic entry level kit and upgrading, building up my experience , learning from two mentors back in the 80’s… read more →
Urban birdscaping during lockdown, an alternative compositional approach When I am not out covering motorsports, rugby and cricket, I enjoy wildlife and nature photography and have over the years built up an extensive database on South African birds, covering more than 360 species. As a birder I’ve spotted more than 500 species, but I only count those of which I have a presentable photograph. Every nature photographer will always advise you that the natural setting makes a wildlife photo more appealing, which is completely true. I aim for that as… read more →
Macro photography is seen as 1:1 (life size) or bigger. Some would include 0.5:1 (half-life size) also as macro, but it is generally not accepted as such. Anything less than 1:1 must be viewed as close-up photography. No zoom lens I know of will provide true macro magnification used on its own irrespective of what is printed on the lens barrel. The difference between true macro and close-up photography is demonstrated by the dragonfly images, close-up on the complete insect, then full macro on the head only. He was just… read more →
Introduction The very popular range of 150-600mm zoom lenses, taking over from the 150-500mm models, has received yet another boost with the Sigma 150-600 f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary entering into this market segment, catering for those who are on a tighter budget and cannot justify the expense for a 500mm or 600mm f4 prime lens, or even the Sigma 150-600 f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sport version of this lens. Offering slower maximum apertures typically at f6.3, these lenses give the enthusiast the perfect alternative to expensive fast prime or… read more →
The lockdown is upon on us, and we must make the most of a very uncomfortable situation. But all is not doom and gloom; there are ways in which you can make the experience of isolation less painful. The good news is that now “shooting in isolation” does not mean you have to keep looking over your shoulder all the time, as we are used to do when out all alone in a more rural area with expensive camera equipment. This time it means you are on your own, or… read more →
With South Africa going into a national lock-down situation, photographers all over the country are forced into confinement at their places of residence, waiting out this Covid-19 pandemic taking control of our lives. I read a light-hearted comment on Facebook very recently that all photographers will now become expert portrait and pet photographers. This is a hard hitting, reality awakening statement. It is however not only portraits and pets, but now also your extreme creativity can be tested – walking around in your home or apartment and seeking those other… read more →