28 February 2019

Great white pelicans flocking to Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

During the last week or so we were frequently greeted by an unusual large flock of great white pelicans in the Table Bay Nature Reserve / Woodbridge Island area. Normally we only see a few, with most of the pelicans camping out towards Rietvlei, Table View. Pelican photos with the Canon EOS 70D Mark II / 400mm lens.

(Click to Enlarge)
Great White Pelicans - Table Bay Nature Reserve / Woodbridge Island
Great White Pelicans - Table Bay Nature Reserve / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Great White Pelican above the Diep River / Woodbridge Island
Great White Pelican above the Diep River / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Great White Pelican above the Diep River / Woodbridge Island
Great White Pelican above the Diep River / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Great White Pelican above the Diep River / Woodbridge Island
Great Whitel Pelican above the Diep River / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

Canon EOS 70D ISO Field Test: Low Light Cape Town

High ISO Test: Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L USM Lens

High ISO Test: Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens - Cape Town Street Photography
Objective: Demonstrating application of higher ISO settings between ISO 800 - ISO 6400 with the Canon EOS 70D and EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM zoom lens - handheld, without any flash and low / deteriorating lighting conditions.

Note: All Street Photography Cape Town images handheld in Av Mode. From low light, to poor light to after dark with very limited ambient street light(s). Images captured in RAW (conversion via Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.7). Very little post-processing except flower images are slightly cropped with Noise Reduction applied in Lightroom.

Canon Camera Equipment

  • Canon EOS 70D SLR camera body 
  • Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens
  • No Flash used 
  • Handheld

Av Mode - Camera Settings

  • Aperture f/5.6 - 8 
  • ISO 800 - 6400
  • High ISO Noise Reduction: Standard 
  • Image Stabilization / Auto Focus 
  • Shutter speed: Various
  • 70-300mm focal lengths

Cape Town Location
  • St Georges Square (Low light)
  • Company Gardens (After dark)

(Click to Enlarge)
High ISO Test: Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L USM Lens
Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens  ISO 6400 f/8
70mm Low light just before sunset (no Lightroom noise removal)

High ISO Test: Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L USM Lens
Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens  ISO 800 f/5.6
88mm low light just before sunset 
(no Lightroom noise removal)

High ISO Test: Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L USM Lens
Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens ISO 500 f/5.6
93mm low light during sunset 
(no Lightroom noise removal)

High ISO Test: Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L USM Lens
Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens  ISO 800 f/5.6
120mm low light after sunset 
(no Lightroom noise removal)
High ISO Test: Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L USM Lens
Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens  ISO 6400 f/5.6
70mm low light after sunset 
(no Lightroom noise removal)

High ISO Test: Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L USM Lens
Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens ISO 6400 f/5.6
70mm very low light after sunset 
(no Lightroom noise removal)

High ISO Test: Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L USM Lens
Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens  ISO 6400 f/5.6
300mm very low light after sunset (slight crop / Lightroom noise reduction)


Canon EOS 70D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens ISO 6400 f/5.6
300mm very low light after sunset (slight crop / Lightroom noise reduction)


Canon EOS 70D / Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - Birds In Flight Photography

Little Grebe - Diep River, Woodbridge Island

Little Grebe : Diep River, Woodbridge Island Cape Town
This is the first year that I'm seeing so many little grebes swimming and diving in the Diep River, Woodbridge Island Cape Town. Small water birds, skittish and elusive for any close-up photography.

I was quite fortunate to have had this little juvenile grebe diving and feeding past me without really noticing me, or hearing the high speed burst rate of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.

Cape Town Location
Diep River - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Equipment Used (Birds In Flight / Action Photography)
  • Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR camera body
  • Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
  • Lexar Professional 800x / 120MB/s 32GB CF Card

Manual Mode Settings
  • Shutter speed: 1/4000s
  • Aperture: f/5.6
  • Focal length 400mm
  • Auto-ISO (ISO 800 -1000)
  • Continuous shooting mode (10 fps) / AI Servo
  • AI Servo / AF Mode Option (Wide Zone AF / Case 1)
  • Lens AF On / No IS / Handheld

(Click to enlarge)
Little Grebe - Diep River, Woodbridge Island Cape Town - Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography
Little Grebe : Diep River, Woodbridge Island Cape Town

Little Grebe - Diep River, Woodbridge Island Cape Town - Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography
Little Grebe diving - Diep River, Woodbridge Island Cape Town

Woodbridge Island Cape Town Bird Species
Woodbridge Island Cape Town Bird Species

08 February 2019

Photography Training Availability Update

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Availability UpdateVernon Chalmers Photography Training Availability Update

Please note that I will not be available during February for any Photography / Canon EOS training.

I will be available from Tuesday, 6 March.

Contact me should you want to discuss any training for March. Training could be scheduled during the day or evening.

Exact dates will depend on availability.

Private Training Options 2019

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town
  • Introduction to Photography / Canon Cameras Cape Town More 
  • Canon EOS Autofocus / AI Servo Master Class Cape Town More
  • Birds in Flight Photography Workshop Cape Town More
  • Canon Speedlite / Ring Lite Flash Photography Workshop Cape Town More
  • Macro / Close-Up Photography Workshop Cape Town More
  • Landscape / Long Exposure Photography Workshop Cape Town More

Cormorant in Flight: Canon EOS 6D / 400mm Lens

Cormorant in Flight: Canon EOS 6D / 400mm Lens

Canon EOS 6D / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
As posted before, I don't really shoot birds in flight with the Canon EOS 6D, but have done so on a few occasions (evaluating reach, image quality and AF speed with the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens). 

During the last few outings to Woodbridge Island, Cape Town I've used the Canon EOS 6D again, but this time paired with my Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.

I am quite happy with the Canon EOS 6D / 70-300mm lens action photography pairing performance and really wanted to see how the 400mm lens would perform on the full frame EOS 6D and to what extend the basic AF system and slow 4.5 fps would be a handicap (when compared to the Canon EOS 7D Mark II's advanced 65-Point AF system and 10 fps).

Note: The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is not renown for its AF abilities and for most photographers are not a serious consideration for action / birds in flight photography - I share this sentiment, but the EOS 6D's AF is better than what is being floating around the online forums.

A while back I wrote about the performance of the Canon EOS 6D vs the Canon EOS 7D Mark II for my own birds in flight photography.

One of the main reasons for taking the Canon EOS 6D for birds in flight photography  is that I'm considering the option of replacing both my EOS 6D and tEOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (and to add the future Canon EOS 7D Mark III when introduced in the next year or so - see Canon EOS 7D Mark III Wish List for Birds in Flight Photography). This is my current thinking and research, but the final decision may be different.  

I quite like the Canon EOS 6D's image quality, low light performance and the fact that images can be cropped much more than with i.e. the Canon EOS 7D Mark II - for images with my current 400mm birds in flight lens. I know with the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV I should have an even bigger advantage (at 7 fps, advanced 61-Point AF system and 30 MP sensor).

I personally don't see the 10 fps of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II as such a major advantage over slower fps shooting rates - the full frame sensor's cropping and low light capability is currently more important than fps.

Location: Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Canon Equipment Used
  • Canon EOS 6D
  • Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
  • Manual Mode:  Auto-ISO 640
  • Aperture: f/5.6
  • Shutter Speed 1/4000s

These 4 consecutive images of the double-breasted cormorant are substantial crops.

(Click to Enlarge)
Birds in Flight Photography with Canon EOS 6D /  EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
Birds in Flight Photography with Canon EOS 6D /  EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Birds in Flight Photography with Canon EOS 6D /  EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
Birds in Flight Photography with Canon EOS 6D /  EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Birds in Flight Photography with Canon EOS 6D /  EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
Birds in Flight Photography with Canon EOS 6D /  EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Birds in Flight Photography with Canon EOS 6D /  EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
Birds in Flight Photography with Canon EOS 6D /  EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

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

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

01 February 2019

Top 10 Most Visited Vernon Chalmers Photography Posts Jan 2019

Top 10 Most Visited Vernon Chalmers Photography Posts Jan 2019
Analytics Summary for January 2019

Top 10 most visited Vernon Chalmers Photography articles / posts during January 2019:

Photo Competitions South Africa 2019
Photo Competitions South Africa 2019

Canon Online Shooting Practice Application
Canon Online Shooting Practice Application

Starting out with Birds in Flight Photography
Starting out with Birds in Flight Photography

Canon Long Exposure / Night Photography Setup & Tips
Canon Long Exposure / Night Photography Setup & Tips

Show Focus Points: Adobe Lightroom Plugin for Canon DSLRs
Show Focus Points: Adobe Lightroom Plugin for Canon DSLRs

Canon EOS Setup and Tips For Birds in Flight Photography
Canon EOS Setup and Tips For Birds in Flight Photography

Canon EOS 7D Mark III Wish List for Birds in Flight Photography
Canon EOS 7D Mark III Wish List for Birds in Flight Photography

Two Cost-Effective Canon Lenses for Bird Photography
Two Cost-Effective Canon Lenses for Bird Photography

Woodbridge Island Bird Species
Woodbridge Island Bird Species

Canon EOS 7D Mark II Birds In Flight Gallery
Canon EOS 7D Mark II Birds In Flight Gallery

  
Top Search Queries for Vernon Chalmers Photography - January 2019
  • photography competitions south africa
  • competitions south africa 2019
  • photography competitions for beginners south africa
  • photo competitions south africa
  • photography competitions 2019 south africa
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  • photo competitions south africa 2018
  • amateur photography competition
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  • competitions 2019 south africa
  • photo competition south africa
  • photography competition
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  • 2019 photo competition

Top 10 Countries Visiting Vernon Chalmers Photography- January 2019
  1. South Africa
  2. United States
  3. United Kingdom
  4. India
  5. Australia
  6. Brazil
  7. Canada
  8. Germany
  9. France
  10. Thailand

Top 25 South Africa Cities Visiting Vernon Chalmers Photography - January 2019

  1. Cape Town
  2. Sandton
  3. Pretoria
  4. Johannesburg
  5. Durban
  6. Roodepoort
  7. Germiston
  8. Randburg
  9. Berea
  10. Pietermaritzberg
  11. Stellenbosch
  12. Port Elizabeth
  13. Bloemfontein
  14. Centurion
  15. Kempton Park
  16. Midrand
  17. Nelspruit
  18. East London
  19. Alberton
  20. George
  21. Boksburg
  22. Vanderbijlpark
  23. Potchefstroom
  24. Durban North
  25. Krugersdorp

Visitor Acquisition Channels

  • Socail (41.5%)
  • Organic Search (33.1%)
  • Direct (21.9%)

Analytics / Data Source
Google Analytics (Vernon Chalmers Photography: 1/1/2019 - 31/1/2019)

Egyptian Geese Action - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Early morning Egyptian Geese action in the Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island. All Egyptian Geese photos by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 70D and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens. (fast shutter speeds 3200). Handheld.

This action went on for about 10 minutes providing enough opportunity for capturing a variety of different shots. Higher shutter speed of 1/2500s. ISO 400 and Aperture of f/6.3 across all images.

(Click to Enlarge)
Egyptian Geese Action Photography - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Egyptian Geese Action Photography - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town


Egyptian Geese Action Photography - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Egyptian Geese Action Photography - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town


Egyptian Geese Action Photography - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Egyptian Geese Action Photography - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town


Egyptian Geese Action Photography - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Egyptian Geese Action Photography - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

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

Bird Species Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Bird Species Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Small bird sightings around Woodbridge Island

Smaller birds photographed around the Diep River / Table Bay Nature Reserve, Woodbridge Island I managed to capture a Cape Teal Duck, Sandwich Tern, Giant Kingfisher, Black-winged Stilt and a few African Oystercatchers) for the first time (for this website).

All photos by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 7D Mark II  / EOS 70D paired with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens (M Mode / Handheld).

(Click any Image)
Common  Greenshank Flight Cape Town  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens
Common  Greenshank Flight Cape Town  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

Black-winged Stilt in Flight Cape Town  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens
Black-winged Stilt in Flight Cape Town  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

Cape teal duck in Flight Cape Town  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens
Cape teal duck in Flight Cape Town  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

Sandwich Tern  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens
Sandwich Tern in Flight Cape Town  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

Sandwich Tern  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens
King Gull in flight Cape Town: Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

Giant Kingfisher in Flight Cape Town : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

Pied Avocet in Flight Cape Town  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens
Pied Avocet in Flight Cape Town  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

Blackwinged Stilt  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens
African Black Oystercatchers in Flight : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

Three-Banded Plover : Canon EOS 70D / 400mm Lens
Three-Banded Plover : Canon EOS 70D / 400mm Lens 
Bird Species Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

Vernon Chalmers Photography Popular Posts