Silhouettes
Flat Top Acacias...synonymous with Africa with a moody sunset behind
Flat Top Acacias...synonymous with Africa with a moody sunset behind
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Jun, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photograph in one of my favourite places in South Africa - Albert Falls Dam just outside of Peitermaritzburg in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal. I had emigrated to UK in 2007 and so when I returned on holiday in 2011, it was a no brainer - I had to visit the Reserve. It has amazing wildlife and is home to several species of antelope as well as incredible bird life including fish eagles and goliath herons.Time
This is one of my favourite images from that trip because I love the trees. Having grown up in Africa, the Acacia trees are a huge part of the landscape. We had gone on a game drive in the late afternoon because that is when it is cooler and you are likely to see more wildlife. It was a particularly dusty dry day and there had been bush fires in the area.Lighting
I was drawn to the silhouettes of the trees which have beautiful shapes anyway. The sun, light cloud, smoke and dust combined added to the lighting and created the atmosphere.Equipment
The camera I used was a Lumix/Panasonic Powershot so it is a bridge camera. I did not use flash. I wanted the dry grass in the foreground to be muted so that the emphasis was on the trees reaching up to the sky.Inspiration
Africa, nature, trees, memories to take home with me all helped. I miss Africa, I miss the smell of the rain hitting the dry earth, the sounds of the frogs and the crickets so to be able to capture an image like this to be able to print off and put on my wall all helps with homesickness.Editing
I have not done any post processing on this image. I generally do not tweak photos apart from to crop however come 2020 I am changing my thoughts on post processing. I would not want to change this particular image though because I love it just the way it is.In my camera bag
When I took this photograph, I only had the Lumix in my bag but now that I am developing my skills, I have a Nikon D7100 and a Sigma prime 18 - 35mm f1.8, a Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro lens and am 18 - 300 kit lens. I also have the Nikon P900 bridge camera which I bought for the zoomability.Feedback
Never give up! If the conditions are not suitable then try again another day. Try and plan but sometimes you just do not know what is around the corner or the conditions. I had been to Albert Falls many times before but I had never seen this opportunity - perhaps I was not looking at things like I do now. Always keep your eyes open and you will surprised at what can suddenly appear. Let your emotions take over. If something is dear to your heart the emotion will show in your image.
