Tag: landscape photography

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2017-11-05: Before and After

I decided that this image would be good for a before and after post after finishing the editing, so today I just have the before and after images to share, not all the steps I took to get there.

This image was shot during sunrise whilst on a game drive at Ngala Camp in South Africa.  It was quite surreal to have these massive storm clouds, the light from the sun rising, the moon visible and a rainbow all at one time.  With so much going on, it was a challenging scene to deal with, and the image ended up rather flat and uninspired.

I decided to edit the single image using Aurora HDR Pro, as I find that the software is great in bringing out the detail and colour in an image, although it can be a little heavy handed at times.  Herein lies the editing issue of course; trying to coax the best out of the image you have, without it ending up looking crunchy and radioactive.   I layered two different presets within Aurora, blending them at different opacities, and then dialed back the result within Photoshop to find a level of punch that I felt worked for the image, and for my memory of what to scene looked and felt like.

I’d be interested to know any opinions on the edit – did I go too far, not far enough, or just right, based on what I had to work with?  Everyone looks at things differently and I am always interested in the reactions of other people.

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Straight out of the camera.
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After some post processing love and attention.

 

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www.jennifersawickyphotography.com for wildlife, landscape and nature inspired artwork.

and

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2017-10-29: WPC Rounded

The photo challenge topic of the week is rounded.  And while I contemplated creating a post highlighting all the lovely rounded lines on elephants, I decided instead to offer up a bit more variety.

I hope you enjoy my selection of images.

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A view from the top of one of the dunes on the Skeleton Coast.  Namibia, April 2017.
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A zebra foal crosses a bend in the road, not too far behind Mom.  Ongava Game Reserve, April 2017.
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Trying to capture the sunset from a moving vehicle is not the easiest task, but I loved the way the light was hitting the curves in the road, so I gave it my best shot.  South Africa, May 2017.
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A lion pauses at a curve in the road, listening for his brother calling from the distance.  Londolozi Game Reserve, May 2017.
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Elephants gather at a bend in the Hoanib River for a drink and a mud bath.  Namibia, April 2017.

 

Please visit:
www.jennifersawickyphotography.comm for wildlife, landscape and nature inspired artwork.

and

https://shopvida.com/collections/jennifer-sawicky for textiles inspired by my photography.

 

WPC: Rounded

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2017-10-22: WPC Glow

The prompt for the photo challenge this week is glow; the perfect opportunity to share some photos with some beautiful light.

I hope you enjoy my selections!

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Sunset in the desert, seen on a drinks stop from the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. Namibia, April 2017.
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A leopard bathed in the last light of sunset.  South Africa, May 2017.
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Following a lion into the light.  South Africa, May 2017.

Please visit:
www.jennifersawickyphotography.com for wildlife, landscape and nature inspired artwork.

and

https://shopvida.com/collections/jennifer-sawicky for textiles inspired by my photography.

 

WPC: Glow

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2017-09-26: WPC Layers

The WordPress photo challenge prompt for the week is layers.  I shot this image while on a bird watching boat trip along the Kazinga Channel in Uganda.  There were several fishing villages along our route, and most of the boats were already in for the day by the time we set out.  The person taking the climb back to the village from the shore caught my eye from the boat.

I feel this image is a great example of showing off many layers; not only do we have the water, the land and the sky, but several layers of nature interspersed with man made objects.

I hope you enjoy my take on this topic.

20170926_WPC Layers

Please visit:
www.jennifersawickyphotography.com for wildlife, landscape and nature inspired artwork.

and

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WPC: Layers

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2017-08-15: Ngala Tented Camp

It was a soggy day flying from Phinda to Ngala, which was my second to last stop on my trip.  It’s tough thought o be too upset about rain in locations where it has been desperately needed for years, and besides, we only had two days with any rain over a four week period, which is pretty fantastic from a sightseeing perspective (especially in an open vehicle).  I have spent time at Ngala previously (you can check out some past highlights here if you want).

We only had two days at the camp, but they were filled with lots of laughs with our wonderful ranger Lee-Anne, some fantastic game viewing, and really great meals.  The first game drive was a soggy one, but we didn’t let that get our spirits down, and we ended up seeing both lion and leopard on the same game drive – not too shabby!

I hope you enjoy a small selection of the photos that I took at this beautiful property.

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Not the most amazing image, but what a sight to see.  I was in the furthest tent from the main lodge, and as I left my room to head over for some lunch, I noticed a pair of elephants climbing the banks on the opposite side of the dry riverbed.  Here one of them pauses to dig a bit in the dirt on the side of the steep bank.
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Fabulous things happen when you follow the clues provided by nature, rather than having a hard and fast plan as to what needs to be seen.  Lee-Anne spotted a large number of vultures moving swiftly in one direction, so we followed the birds and found this young male leopard with an impala kill.
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Family greetings, lion style.  I chose monochrome for this image as I feel it really highlights how well these big cats can blend into the bushes.  I’m sure you didn’t notice the two cats blurred in the background, and you probably wouldn’t see them if driving past on the road either.  Animals have wonderful ways to camouflage themselves.
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After the rainstorm, we woke up to a chilly morning and this grey go-away bird had not warmed up enough yet to fly.  He was perched on a branch right next to the road, allowing me to get a few nice shots.
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If ever a face said “Non shall pass” this is it.  This old bull was lying in our pathway through the riverbed, but we certainly were not going to try and make him move.  Our vehicle may have been bigger, but we went around.
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A lioness looks on towards a herd of zebra and impala.  The herd saw her immediately, so there was no point in moving any closer.
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A small dam and the dissipating clouds from an early morning storm.
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An amazing sky during a small morning rain shower.  We had some rain, and amazing sunrise and double rainbows all at one time.

 

Please visit:
www.jennifersawickyphotography.com for wildlife, landscape and nature inspired artwork.

and

https://shopvida.com/collections/voices/jennifer-sawicky for textiles inspired by my photography.

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2017-08-10: WPC Elemental

The photo challenge prompt for this week is elemental. I was able to find a few photos in the edit queue from my last trip that fit in with this theme perfectly.  Here are my images that represent earth, air, water and fire.

I hope you enjoy!

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Earth: Flying above the beautiful Okavango Delta.
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Air: A strong wind whips up a sandstorm in the Hoanib desert.
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Water: Drainage channels caused from water running off the hills, snake through the desert landscape. 
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Fire: A fiery sunset in the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

 

Please visit:
www.jennifersawickyphotography.com for wildlife, landscape and nature inspired artwork.

and

https://shopvida.com/collections/voices/jennifer-sawicky for textiles inspired by my photography.

WPC: Elemental

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