12 December 2015

Upcoming reviews on two Scott Kelby Digital Photography books

Over the next two weeks or so I will be working my way through two Digital Photography books by American photographer / author Scott Kelby. "The Best Digital Photography Book Series' is a brand new book by this author of many top-selling digital photography books. I will post the link to the reviews once completed.


The Best Digital Photography Book Photo Recipes Scott KelbyThe Best Digital Photography Book Series Scott Kelby


I've already worked my way through most of Kelby's older Digital Photography books and these are reviewed / recommended on with a host of camera / photography books on my Canon Camera News website.

Many of the books are non-Canon and purely selected for specific photographic learning purposes (ie. exposure / landscape / macro / night / food / portrait photography). Most of these are from the very popular "From Snapshots to Great Shots" series published by Peachpit Press (available via local retail and / online).

Link to the reviews / recommendations Canon Camera News


More on Photography Workshops Cape Town Vernon Chalmers Photography Workshops

11 December 2015

Restoration of the Wooden Bridge, Woodbridge Island

New: Visual Update of the Wooden Bridge April 2019

Restoration of the Wooden Bridge, Woodbridge Island

On my early morning walkabout around Woodbridge Island I spotted this City of Cape Town sign signaling their intention of restoring the historic wooden bridge.

A few images of the Wooden Bridge / Woodbridge Island Before Restoration >>

From the sign:

Restoration Of The Historic Wooden Bridge At Woodbridge Island, Milnerton

The intention of the City of Cape Town is to restore the historic wooden bridge located between Marine Drive and Woodbridge Island, crossing the Diep River Estuary. Restoration of the bridge is required so than it can once again be used for its intended purpose as a pedestrian bridge. The City of Cape Town is the property owner and is therefore responsible for the maintenance and the upkeep of the bridge.

The wooden bridge is a national heritage site. The bridge was previously closed in 1990 and in 1995 re-opened for use by pedestrians. However, in 2007, the bridge was once again closed. The closures of the bridge have been as a result of the ongoing deterioration of the timber elements.

Exploration of the foundations will be carried out in December 2015 to determine the extend of restoration and rehabilitation that is required.

Please note that an Environmental Management Programme, approved by the Local Authority, is being implemented for all works that will be required to rehabilitate the bridge. The Environmental Partnership will be monitoring this site to ensure adherence to the Environmental Management Programme.

The Environmental Partnership

PO BOX 945
Cape Town 8000

Tel: 021 422 0999
Fax: 021 422 0998


Email: info@enviropart.co.za


Restoration of the Wooden Bridge, Woodbridge Island
The Current Wooden Bridge, Woodbridge Island After Sunset
Wooden Bridge, Woodbridge Island Cape Town

History of Milnerton / Woodbridge Island
From 1897 - 1980 
History of Milnerton

09 November 2015

Preparing your Camera for Birds in Flight Workshop Cape Town

Preparing your Camera for Birds in Flight Workshop Cape Town by Vernon Chalmers
Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens (Woodbridge Island)

Vernon Chalmers once again facilitated the popular Birds in Flight / Action Photography for Canon EOS DSLR's in Milnerton Cape Town and Woodbridge Island Friday 6 / Saturday 7 November 2015.

A theory presentation (Canon bodies / lenses / settings / fast shutter speed techniques) on the Friday afternoon followed by a practical session around Woodbridge Island (Saturday morning). Invitation to photographers interested in capturing Birds In Flight.

Recommended minimum lens focal length = 300mm ie: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6(L) IS USM lens (or any 3rd party lens of similar FL).


Workshop Contents / Learning Areas
  • Introduction to Birds in Flight Photography 
  • Canon Camera Bodies / AF Systems 
  • Lenses for Birds in Flight 
  • Camera / Lens Settings
  • Teleconverters / Extenders 
  • Exposure Settings / Techniques 
  • Memory Cards / Card Readers 
  • Practical (Woodbridge Island)

More / booking information: Vernon Chalmers>>

If you're not in Cape Town / Cape Peninsula
Contact me direct should you be interested in a similar workshop (in your area).

More Photography Workshops Cape Town / Woodbridge Island>>

17 October 2015

Birds In Flight / Action Photography Workshop Cape Town

Birds In Flight / Action Photography Workshop Cape Town
Canon EOS 70D / 400mm Lens (Milnerton Golf Course Woodbridge Island Cape Town)

Update:  Canon Birds in Flight Photography Training / Workshop Cape Town>>
Vernon Chalmers facilitated Birds in Flight / Action Photography for Canon EOS DSLR's in Milnerton and Woodbridge Island  Cape Town Friday 16 / Saturday 17 October 2015.

Workshop Contents / Learning Areas

  • Introduction to Birds in Flight Photography 
  • Canon Camera Bodies / AF Systems 
  • Lenses for Birds in Flight 
  • Teleconverters / Extenders 
  • Camera / Lens Settings 
  • AF Settings / Technique 
  • Practical (Woodbridge Island) 

Please note: recent Birds In Flight Workshop (Milnerton / Woodbridge Island Cape Town) was fully booked, but with sufficient demand we will plan / facilitate an additional workshop soon.

For more / booking information: Vernon Chalmers >>

If you're not in Cape Town / Cape Peninsula
Contact me direct should you be interested in a similar workshop (in your area).

More Photography Workshops Cape Town / Woodbridge Island>>

Cormorants in Flight - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Cormorants in Flight - Woodbridge Island
A few white-breasted cormorants in flight while facilitating the Canon DSLR Birds in Flight Workshop at Woodbridge Island Milnerton, Cape Town on Saturday morning 17 October 2015.

All images by Vernon Chalmers Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens M Mode: ISO 400 - 500 f/6.3 1/3200s (Handheld).

(Click to Enlarge)
Cormorant in Flight Woodbridge Island, Cape Town (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)
Cormorant in Flight Woodbridge Island, Cape Town (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)

Cormorant in Flight Woodbridge Island, Cape Town (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)
Cormorant Woodbridge Island (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)


Cormorant in Flight Woodbridge Island, Cape Town (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)
Cormorant Woodbridge Island (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town
Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

09 October 2015

Landscape / Long Exposure Photography Workshop Cape Town

Long Exposure Photography during Sunset - Woodbridge Island Main Bridge

Next Landscape / Long Exposure Photography Workshop Cape Town
Next Landscape / Long Exposure Photography Workshop Cape Town

Vernon Chalmers facilitated a beginner-to-intermediate landscape / long exposure Canon EOS DSLR photography workshop in Milnerton / Woodbridge Island Friday 9 October 2015.

Workshop Contents / Learning Areas
  • Introduction to Landscape / Long Exposure Photography
  • Canon Camera Bodies / Lenses
  • Tripod Decisions
  • Camera / Lens Settings
  • Exposure Settings / Technique
  • Long Exposure Article / Demonstration
  • Filters Overview
  • Practical (Low light / Sunset Woodbridge Island) 

01 October 2015

Birds In Flight Test with Canon EOS 7D Mark II Woodbridge Island

Birds In Flight Test with Canon EOS 7D Mark II Woodbridge Island Cape Town
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
New / Updated Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photo Gallery
Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photo Gallery>>

Canon EOS 7D Mark II / Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens - Birds In Flight

Objective: Testing the relatively new Canon EOS 7D Mark II body / EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II USM lens with fast Bird in Fligh Action shooting at 10 frames per second. Various ISO's / same Shutter Speed.

Note: Fast shutter speeds / panning hand-held in Manual. All images processed in Lightroom 5.7. Converted from RAW to JPG. Lens profile correction. Minor colour correction.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II First Impressions Article / Stand-Out Features >>

Cape Town Location
Milnerton Lagoon Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Equipment (Birds In Flight / Action Photography)
  • Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR camera body 
  • Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens 

Manual Mode Settings
  • Shutter speed: 1/2000s 
  • Aperture: f/6.3 
  • Focal length 349-400mm 
  • ISO 160-500 
  • Image Stabilization off 
  • Auto-Focus mode (Case 2 / Zone)
  • Continuous shooting mode (10 fps) / AI Servo 
  • Handheld


(Click to Enlarge)
Egyptian Goose in flight: Canon EOS 7D Mark II @ 349mm Manual Mode: f/6.3 / ISO 500 / 1/2000s - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Egyptian Goose in flight: Canon EOS 7D Mark II @ 349mm Manual Mode: f/6.3 / ISO 500 / 1/2000s


Greater flamingo in flight: Canon EOS 7D Mark II @ 400mm Manual Mode: f/6.3 / ISO 200 / 1/2000s - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Greater flamingo in flight: Canon EOS 7D Mark II @ 400mm Manual Mode: f/6.3 / ISO 200 / 1/2000s


Little Egret in Flight: Canon EOS 7D Mark II @ 400mm Manual Mode: f/6.3 / ISO 200 / 1/2000s - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Little Egret in Flight: Canon EOS 7D Mark II @ 400mm Manual Mode: f/6.3 / ISO 200 / 1/2000s


Doulbe-Breasted Cormorant in flight: Canon EOS 7D Mark II @ 400mm Manual Mode: f/6.3 / ISO 200 / 1/2000s - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Doulbe-Breasted Cormorant in flight: Canon EOS 7D Mark II @ 400mm Manual Mode: f/6.3 / ISO 200 / 1/2000s

Birds in Flight Photography with Canon EOS 6D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens - View

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photo Gallery

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

01 July 2015

Low Flying Birds In Flight - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Low Flying Birds In Flight - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
A low flying Darter and a few White-breasted Cormorants in the Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island. 

All photos by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 70D / Canon EOS 700D and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens (Manual Mode / Fast Shutter speeds 1/1600s / Handheld).

(Click to Enlarge)
Darter Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
Darter in Flight Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town Canon EOS 70D


Cormorant   Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
Cormorant in Flight Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town  Canon EOS 70D

Cormorant Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
Cormorant in Flight Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town  Canon EOS 700D


Cormorant Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
Cormorant in Flight Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town  Canon EOS 700D

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town
Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

01 April 2015

Birds in Flight Woodbridge Island / Milnerton Lagoon, Cape Town

Birds in Flight Woodbridge Island / Milnerton Lagoon, Cape Town
Canon EOS 700D / Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - Birds In FlightBirds in flight using high-speed / continuous shutter and AI Servo shot selection Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island. All photos by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 700D and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM super telephoto prime lens (Manual Mode: fast shutter speeds / handheld).

Objective: Handling the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM super telephoto prime lens in various light conditions. Canon EOS 700D Body. Various ISO's / same Shutter Speed.

Note: Fast shutter speeds / panning hand-held in Manual. All images processed in Lightroom 5.7. Converted from RAW to JPG. Lens profile correction. Minor colour correction.

Cape Town Location
Milnerton Lagoon Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Equipment (Birds In Flight / Action Photography)

  • Canon EOS 700D SLR camera body 
  • Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM telephoto prime lens 

Manual Mode Settings
  • Shutter speed: 1/1500s 
  • Aperture: f/5.6 - 6.7 
  • Focal length 400mm 
  • ISO 100-400 
  • No Image Stabilization 
  • Autofocus mode (Centre AF point)

Continuous shooting mode / AI Servo
Handheld

(Click to Enlarge)
Greater Flamingo - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Greater Flamingo - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town


Swift Tern in Flight (with fish) - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Swift Tern in Flight (with fish) - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town



African Sacred Ibis flying towards Woodbridge Island from the Milnerton Golf Course, Cape Town
African Sacred Ibis flying towards Woodbridge Island from the Milnerton Golf Course, Cape Town


Hartlaub's Gull over Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Hartlaub's Gull over Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town


Swift Tern with chick - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Swift Tern with chick - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town


Dancing Egret - Diep River Milnerton / Across from the Milnerton Golf Course, Cape Town
Dancing Egret - Diep River Milnerton / Across from the Milnerton Golf Course, Cape Town


Hartlaub's Gull in the wind - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Hartlaub's Gull in the wind - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town


Swift Tern in Flight- Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Swift Tern in Flight- Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town


Cormorantin Flight Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Cormorantin Flight Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town


Low Flying Cormorant Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Low Flying Cormorant Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photography Gallery

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

Sunrise Lagoon Beach Hotel / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Woodbridge Island / Milnerton Lagoon, Cape Town

Objective: Demonstrating application and image quality of the Canon EOS 700D / Rebel T5i DSLR camera with EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens during very early morning long exposures (Canon remote shutter release).

Note: All photos on tripod in Av mode (Aperture Priority). Images captured in RAW (conversion via Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.2).

Canon Camera Equipment
  • Canon EOS 700D SLR camera body
  • Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens
  • Canon Remote Control RC-6
  • Manfrotto Compact tripod

Av Mode - Aperture Priority Settings
  • f/16 - f/22
  • ISO 100
  • Shutter: .30 - 1/15s
  • No filters used
  • RAW to JPG conversion / lens profile correction
  • Zero colour manipulation
(Click to Enlarge)
Sunrise Lagoon Beach Hotel / Woodbridge Island
From Lagoon Beach Hotel over Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island


Sunrise Lagoon Beach Hotel / Woodbridge Island
From Lagoon Beach Hotel over Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island


Sunrise Lagoon Beach Hotel / Woodbridge Island
From Lagoon Beach Hotel over Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island


Sunrise Lagoon Beach Hotel / Woodbridge Island
From Lagoon Beach Hotel over Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island


Sunrise Lagoon Beach Hotel / Woodbridge Island
From Lagoon Beach Hotel over Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island

Cormorants Fishing - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Cormorants Fishing - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
White-breasted cormorants fishing in the Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island. 

All cormorant photos by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 700D and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens (fast shutter speeds 1/2000s / handheld).

(Click to Enlarge)
Cormorants Fishing - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
Cormorants Fishing Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island


Cormorants Fishing - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
Cormorants Fishing Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island


Cormorants Fishing - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
Cormorants Fishing Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island


Cormorants Fishing - Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
Cormorants Fishing Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island


Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photography Gallery
Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photography Gallery

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town
Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

01 February 2015

Flowers In The Rain: Durbanville, Cape Town

Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens - Flowers In The Rain
All Photos © Vernon Chalmers
Flowers In The Rain: Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens

Objective: Demonstrating low light photography with the Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens and Canon Speedlite 430 EX II external hot shoe flash.

Location: Durbanville Cape Town. Early morning wind / rain and generally
just miserable low light conditions.

Settings: All photos hand-held in Av mode (Aperture Priority) with Auto ISO's between 200 - 400. Shutter speeds all automatically selected by camera. Focal lengths between 112-135mm. RAW to JPG conversion in Adobe Lightroom 5.4.

Canon Equipment used:
  • Canon EOS 700D SLR camera body
  • Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens
  • Canon Speedlite 430EX II flash (TTL Mode)

(Click to Enlarge)
    Flowers In The Rain Durbanville, Cape Town - Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens
    Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens f/5.6 ISO 200 (Flash)


    Flowers In The Rain Durbanville, Cape Town - Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens
    Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens f/5.6 ISO 400 (Flash)

    Flowers In The Rain Durbanville, Cape Town - Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens
    Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens f/5.6 ISO 400 (Flash)


    Flowers In The Rain Durbanville, Cape Town - Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens
    Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens f/5.6 ISO 250 (Flash)

    Flowers In The Rain Durbanville, Cape Town - Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens
    Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens f/5.6 ISO 200 (Flash)


    Flowers In The Rain Durbanville, Cape Town - Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens
    Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens f/5.6 ISO 400 (Flash)


    Flowers In The Rain Durbanville, Cape Town - Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens
    Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens f/5.6 ISO 400 (Flash)

Close-up Depth of Field (DOF) Telephoto Zoom Lens Demonstration

Demonstrating close-up Depth-of-Field (DOF) using a Canon Telephoto Lens
Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 55-250mm IS II Lens
Depth Of  Field / Av Mode Demonstration using a Zoom Lens
Blue Iris flower photo series taken with Canon EOS 700D DSLR / EF-S 55-250mm IS II lens. Av mode. Milnerton Cape Town.

No post-processing, only Canon lens profile correction and Raw to JPG conversion in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.7.

Objective
Demonstrating Depth of Field (DOF) application with the Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS II lens at different apertures, focal lengths and close-up lens accessories.

Cape Town Location
Arnhem, Milnerton

Canon Equipment
  • Canon EOS 700D / Rebel T5i DSLR camera body 
  • Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II lens 
  • Canon 500D close-up lens filter 
  • Canon Extension Tube EF25 II 

Aperture Priority / Av Mode Settings
  • Aperture: f/4 - f/8 
  • Aperture: f/8 - f/11 
  • ISO: 100 - 400 
  • Focal Length 70 - 171mm 
  • No flash / Handheld 
(Click Image For Slide Show)
Blue Iris Flower Cape Town - Focal length: 79mm  Av Mode: f/4.5 / ISO 200 No filters / tubes
Blue Iris Flower Cape Town - Focal length: 79mm  Av Mode: f/4.5 / ISO 200 No Filters / Tubes

Blue Iris Flower Cape Town - Focal length: 116mm  Av Mode: f/8 / ISO 400 Canon Close-Up Filter
Blue Iris Flower Cape Town - Focal length: 116mm  Av Mode: f/8 / ISO 400 Canon Close-Up Filter

Blue Iris Flower Cape Town - Focal length: 146mm  Av Mode f/4.5 / ISO 100 Canon Close-Up filter
Blue Iris Flower Cape Town - Focal length: 146mm  Av Mode f/4.5 / ISO 100 Canon Close-Up Filter

Blue Iris Flower Cape Town - Focal length: 171mm Av Mode: f/8 / ISO 100 Canon Extension Tube
Blue Iris Flower Cape Town - Focal length: 171mm Av Mode: f/8 / ISO 100 Canon Extension Tube

Blue Iris Flower Cape Town - Focal length: 146mm  Av Mode: f/4.5 / ISO 100 Canon Extension Tube
Blue Iris Flower Cape Town - Focal length: 146mm  Av Mode: f/4.5 / ISO 100 Canon Extension Tube

Canon Extension Tube EF25 II on Canon EOS 6D / Zoom Lens Cape Town
Canon Extension Tube EF25 II on Canon EOS 6D / Zoom Lens Cape Town

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