Monthly Archives: May 2014

With more than 100 gigabytes of images from the South Africa shoot (largely from me running amok in the game park), it’s been hard to choose the best photos.

The tourism authority has asked me to provide 10 images for a photographic exhibition in Sydney to raise money for a South African charity but I’m yet to make the selection as I’ve also shot a few “arty” photographs which I think will sit more comfortably in a buyers home. I’ll post my favourite contenders later.

In the meantime, here’s a short preview of some of the promotional images I’ve processed so far (click on the e-card below

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP 55: SHOOTING ANIMALS IN A GAME PARK.
Shooting animals in a game park largely comes down to luck, though you can increase your chances of success. Here’s a few tips based on my experience:

These alarming figures were published in The Star newspaper while I was in South Africa photographing these rhinos. Click here for more information www.savetherhino.org

Not since wandering the world as a travel writer more than two decades ago have I written a property review. Nor do I give tips for service unless its exceptional – really exceptional (it’s an Australian thing. We’re all cheap).

However, I will have done both by the time I leave the Shamwari game park in the morning.

Like the opportunities I’ve had to photograph the wildlife, my experience at Shamwari’s AUD$550 a night Eagle Crag Lodge has been exceptional. “Please follow me sir, we have arranged a table by the fire for you to enjoy your breakfast,” was how it began – and it just got better from there. Luxuriously appointed common areas, one of nine sumptuous private villas to retreat to (below), and food that was consistently exquisite.

As if it couldn’t get any better, today we caught up with a lioness and her four cubs and a few more giraffes (my favourites) which all but wraps up my shoot at Shamwari (I leave at 5am in the morning to fly to Johannesburg and onto Brisbane a couple of days later).