Photography Training Gift Vouchers Cape Town

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Gift Vouchers and Ideas for Birthdays / Christmas

Christmas Photography Training Gift Voucher Options Cape Town
Most of my photography training / individual training sessions are available as a Birthday / Christmas / Other Special Occasion training gift voucher with a one year validity period.

Any Photography Training Gift Voucher purchased is valid for 1 YEAR

How Many Sessions?
Training sessions are generally between two and four sessions (of up to 5 hours per session) and are available in three different client training options:

• R950 for two sessions
• R1 300 for three sessions
• R1 750 for four sessions

Rates / sessions are only applicable for Gift Vouchers and will be valid for one year.

Current Delegate / Training Client Discount (Since 2013)
Standard 25% discount will apply for purchasing / making a booking for somebody else.

Please note that all my camera and photography skills development training sessions are only available for owners of Canon EOS / PowerShot digital cameras. For Adobe Lightroom training it could be any camera brand.

Canon EOS / Photography Private Training Gift Voucher Options

• Introduction to Photography / Canon Cameras More 
• Canon EOS Autofocus / AI Servo Master Class More
• Birds in Flight Photography Workshop More
• Canon Speedlite Flash Photography Workshop More
• Macro / Close-Up Photography Workshop More
• Landscape / Long Exposure Photography Workshop More
• Digital Workflow / Lightroom Post-Processing Workshop More

Individual Learning Approach

The training sessions could be any combination of the photography training - Canon EOS / photography and / or Adobe Lightroom post-processing offer (see detailed options here).

Personalised Gift Voucher Information
All Photography Training Gift Vouchers to be prepared with a personal message and emailed as PDF document file.

Photography Training Location

All theory / settings / exposure training is facilitated in my training studio apartment in Milnerton, Cape Town (opposite Woodbridge Island).

Practical applications will be around Woodbridge Island / Milnerton beach. Practical application will depend on the type of training selected.

Photography Training Gift Voucher Costs

Training sessions are generally between two and thee sessions (of up to 5 hours per session) and range from R850 to R1 250 (excluding Accommodation) depending on specific Canon camera / training requirements.

Method of Gift Voucher Payment: Payment Options>>

Photography Training Gift Voucher Validity Period

Training sessions should be attended within one year after payment. Individual sessions will be scheduled to the maximum time and value benefit with delegate(s).

Photography Training Gift Voucher Transfer / Refund Policy
Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Gift Vouchers are transferable (within the validity period), but not refundable.

Contact me for discussing specific photography gift voucher options

Macro Photography : Canon EOS 6D / EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens & Speedlite Flash

Update on Gift Vouchers: Photography Training / Accommodation

Photography Training Gift Vouchers Cape Town

Photography Training Gift Voucher CostsTraining sessions are generally between three and four sessions (of up to 5 hours per session) and range from R950 to R1 250. These rates / sessions are only applicable for Gift Vouchers and will be valid for one year.

More Information Photography Vouchers View

Milnerton Self Catering Accommodation Gift Vouchers

Self Catering Accommodation Gift Vouchers Cost

Min of two nights at Blu-C Self Catering Apartment for one or two people. Price per person per night is R280-00 per person. Can be combined with photography training. Contact me for discussing requirements. Accommodation Gift Vouchers are valid for one year and will be subject to accommodation availability.

More Information Self Catering Accommodation Vouchers View

The Milnerton Flea Market on a Sunny Saturday

Saturday at the market...
A hotchpotch of colours, textures, goods and just about everything at the Milnerton Flea Market.

This Flea Market is not just about 'one man's junk is another man's treasure', there are various traders selling handmade African craft works, secondhand books, textile and various stalls of fresh produce and refreshments.

I have found the table with all the old film cameras and accessories particularly interesting and will definitely go back for another look.

The Milnerton Flea Market seems to be well organised with clear trading policies and communication between the traders and the Flea Market site management. I've spent some time discussing various bits of trading and other information and received very positive feedback on well organised trading environment and conditions.

Image Gallery
14 images with Canon EOS 6D / EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens.

Av Mode: Auto-ISO / various apertures (f/4-f/11).

All images Copyright Vernon Chalmers Copyright Policy

(Click to Enlarge - Slideshow)

Majestic Table Mountain keeping watch over market trading and proceedings

A truck load full of everything.- from a first old first aid kit to shark teeth 

Vibrant and comfy hand painted pillows with boats, cars and flowers

Hand-made leather bags and goods. All produced from factory off-cuts

Books for everybody - from mastering the digital world to freshwater fish species

Something old, something new - busy traders preparing and presenting their goods

Caps for everyone - even supporting the Rugby World Cup 2019

Beautiful textiles from all around the word at sale right here in Milnerton 

Belts and buckles - handmade by a very proud local leather craftsman

Plastic flowers to decorate and over-loaded table.

More textiles with many colourful patterns

Visitors strolling around the neat rows of traders and their goods

Historic value - film cameras, lenses, flash and accessories

Masterfully crafted authentic African art - dramatic face masks to end the morning

Milnerton Flea Market Website

Address: Marine Drive (R27) opposite Metro Industrial Park, Paarden Eiland Cape Town

Milnerton Flea Market - Map / Directions

African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town View

Birds around Woodbridge Island / Table Bay Nature Reserve

Grey heron in flight - Table Bay Nature Reserve

The week after my field testing of the Canon EOS R6
I went out a couple of times with the Canon EOS 7D Mark II for some reference testing. I went for a view short hikes along the Diep river, Woodbridge Island and the adjacent Table Bay Nature Reserve
(opposite the Milnerton Golf Course)

Also captured my first sighting of an African black
duck in fight 

Woodbridge Island Bird Index

Conditions and Location
Late morning winter sun with no wind at Woodbridge Island, Cape Town. Woodbridge Island Map

Canon Camera / Lens Settings 

• Canon EOS 7D Mark II
• EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
• Manual Mode
• Auto-ISO: 400 - 1000
• Aperture:  f/5.6 / f/6.3
• Shutter Speed: 1/3200s
• AI Servo: Case 1: Wide Zone
• 10 fps High Speed Continuous Mode
• Handheld

Post-Processing
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC 9.0: Colour correction / noise reduction / lens profile correction.

Speckled pigeon - Woodbridge Island @ f/5.6

Speckled pigeon in flight - Woodbridge Island @ f/6.3

Blacksmith lapwing  - Woodbridge Island @ f/6.3

African darter in flight - Table Bay Nature Reserve

African black duck in flight - Table Bay Nature Reserve

Egyptian goose in flight - Diep River, Woodbridge Island

Low flying grey heron - Table Bay Nature Reserve

Pied kingfisher in flight - Table Bay Nature Reserve

Perched Levaillant's cisticola - Table Bay Nature Reserve

African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town

A road trip trip via Kalk Bay, Simon's Town, Scarborough, Kommetjie and Noordhoek, took us to Monkey Valley (Noordhoek) for the most unforgettable lunch and sunset. 

One of the many highlights of the day, with artist and Nikon photographer, Linda Strydom, was an impromptu visit to the informal Arts & Craft Market / Souvenir Shop at Boulders Beach, Simon's Town.

On this crisp Cape Town morning we sampled the rich, creative  and unbelievable colours of African art (with the generosity of their creators giving us oodles of discount to purchase their craftmanship - this is actually sad as there is the obvious lack of tourism due to the global Covid Pandemic).

Image Gallery
10 images with Canon EOS 6D / EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens and Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.

Av Mode: Auto-ISO / various apertures (f/5.6-f/11).

All images Copyright Vernon Chalmers Copyright Policy

African Craftmanship African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town 

African Textiles: African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town 

African Textiles: African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town 

African Textiles: African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town 

African Textiles: African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town 

African Craftmanship African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town 

African Craftmanship: African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town 

African Textiles: African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town 

Godfrey's Sunbird: African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town 

Milnerton, Cape Town Flea Market View

Latest Canon Digital Photo Professional DPP For Windows | Mac

Download Canon DPP 4.13.10 For Windows

Download Canon DPP 4.12.60 For Mac

For Canon EOS and Powershot Photographers
Latest Free Canon Desktop Digital Professional (DPP) JPG / RAW Photo Editing Suite.

Will work with the older CR1 / CR2 and new CR3 RAW files from the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6

After the recent launches of the Canon EOS R5 And Canon EOS R6 Full-Frame Mirrorless camera, Canon updated DPP for supporting the new body.

The latest versions of the free Canon Desktop Digital Professional software (Ver 4.13.04) Download Links are available from my Canon Camera News website for both Windows and Mac.

Currently there is a Desktop Digital Professional Express App for iPad, but no Android version.

Please note:  a Canon EOS / Powershot camera serial number is required to enable the software download.

Or alternatively update can be performed directly from an older version of Digital Photo Professional. Go Help and Check for Updates.

Latest Canon Digital Photo Professional Download Links

For Windows Desktop  Canon Digital Photo Professional 4.13.10 for Windows

For Mac Desktop Canon Digital Photo Professional 4.12.60 for Mac

iPad App Digital Photo Professional Express App for iPad

PDF Instruction Manuals Canon Digital Photo Professional PDF User Manual Downloads

Canon Digital Professional (DPP) 4.13.10 Supported Models
EOS Kiss M2 / EOS M50 II, EOS R5, EOS R6, EOS Kiss X10i / EOS REBEL T8i / EOS 850D, EOS-1D X Mark III, EOS Ra, EOS M200, EOS 90D, EOS M6 Mark II, PowerShot G5 X Mark II, PowerShot G7 X Mark III, EOS Kiss X10 / EOS REBEL SL3 / EOS 250D / EOS 200D II, EOS RP, EOS R, PowerShot SX70 HS, EOS D2000 *, EOS D6000 *, EOS D30, EOS D60, EOS 10D, EOS Kiss Digital / EOS Digital REBEL / EOS 300D Digital, EOS Kiss M / EOS M50, EOS REBEL T100 / EOS 4000D / EOS 3000D, EOS Kiss X90 / EOS REBEL T7 / EOS 2000D / EOS 1500D, EOS-1Ds Mark III, EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1Ds, EOS-1D X Mark II, EOS-1D X, EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS-1D Mark III, EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1D C, EOS-1D, EOS 80D, EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 7D, EOS 70D, EOS 6D Mark II, EOS 6D, EOS 60Da, EOS 60D, EOS 5DS R, EOS 5DS, EOS 5D Mark IV, EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 5D, EOS 50D, EOS 40D, EOS 30D, EOS 20Da, EOS 20D, EOS 9000D / EOS 77D, EOS 8000D / EOS REBEL T6s / EOS 760D, EOS Kiss X9i / EOS REBEL T7i / EOS 800D, EOS Kiss X9 / EOS REBEL SL2 / EOS 200D, EOS Kiss X8i / EOS REBEL T6i / EOS 750D, EOS Kiss X80 / EOS REBEL T6 / EOS 1300D, EOS Kiss X7i / EOS REBEL T5i / EOS 700D, EOS Kiss X70 / EOS REBEL T5 / EOS 1200D / EOS Hi, EOS Kiss X7 / EOS REBEL SL1 / EOS 100D, EOS Kiss X6i / EOS REBEL T4i / EOS 650D, EOS Kiss X50 / EOS REBEL T3 / EOS 1100D, EOS Kiss X5 / EOS REBEL T3i / EOS 600D, EOS Kiss X4 / EOS REBEL T2i / EOS 550D, EOS Kiss X3 / EOS REBEL T1i / EOS 500D, EOS Kiss X2 / EOS REBEL XSi / EOS 450D, EOS Kiss F / EOS REBEL XS / EOS 1000D, EOS Kiss Digital X / EOS Digital REBEL XTi / EOS 400D Digital, EOS Kiss Digital N / EOS Digital REBEL XT / EOS 350D Digital, EOS M100, EOS M10, EOS M6, EOS M5, EOS M3, EOS M2, EOS M, PowerShot G16, PowerShot G15, PowerShot G12, PowerShot G11, PowerShot G10, PowerShot G9 X Mark II, PowerShot G9 X, PowerShot G9, PowerShot G7 X Mark II, PowerShot G7 X, PowerShot G5 X, PowerShot G3 X, PowerShot G1 X Mark III, PowerShot G1 X Mark II, PowerShot G1 X, PowerShot SX60 HS, PowerShot SX50 HS, PowerShot SX1 IS, PowerShot S120, PowerShot S110, PowerShot S100V, PowerShot S100, PowerShot S95, PowerShot S90 *: Can now handle CR2 files converted with the CR2 Converter.

Canon Digital Professional (DPP) 4.13. 10 for Windows Sample Image Editing Screen Grab

Canon Digital Professional (DPP) 4.11.02 for Windows Sample Image Editing Screen Grab

Free Canon Editing Software Suite - Canon Digital Professional For Windows | Mac

Representing Cape Town / SA Tourism with Zeitz MOCAA image

Image: From the National Geographic Your Shot Publication

Explore Epic South Africa : National Geographic

Proudly representing Cape Town / South African Tourism as a National Geographic Your Shot Partner Photographer.

My photo visit to the Zeitz MOCAA Museum - V&A Waterfront Cape Town (with Joseph Inns) was recently recognized with the publication of one image by National Geographic / South African Tourism in promoting our beautiful country.

Publication: Explore Epic South Africa (National Geographic / SA Tourism Board)

Zeithz MOCCA -  V&A Waterfront, Cape Town 

A vast, disused grain silo complex overlooking Cape Town’s historic, working harbor now holds the world’s largest museum for contemporary African art. Spread over nine floors, the Zeitz MOCAA has 80 galleries and a cathedral-like atrium, carved from the silo’s original storage tubes: an incredible transformation that honors the old, while giving center stage to the new.

"Up The Silos at the Zeits MOCCA - V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Vernon Chalmers Zeitz MOCCA Museum Image from the National Geographic / South Africa Tourism Publication

Canon camera used: Canon EOS 6D / EF 16-35mm lens (Auto-ISO / f/11 / handheld)

Link to my Zeitz MOCAA Museum images here on my website

Link to the National Geographic / SA Tourism Publication

South African Travel Destinations in the National Geographic / South African Tourism Publication

• Driekop, Northern Cape
• Hermanus, Western Cape
• Hole In The Wall, Eastern Cape
• Howich, Kwazulu-Natal
• Mpumalanga Drakensberg
• Mwene Valley, Drakensberg
• Nambiti Private Game Reserve, Ladysmith
• Port Edward, Kwazulu-Natal
• Shakaland, Kwazulu-Natal
• Table Mountain, Cape Town
• Table View, Cape Town
• Zeitz MOCCA Museum, V&A Waterfront Cape Town

Canon EOS 7D Mark II For Birds in Flight Photography

Thoughts on Ownership / Autofocus Application
The Canon EOS 7D Mark II was launched on 15 September 2014 with an extraordinary sense of anticipation on many levels. None more so than for the advanced 65-Point Autofocus (AF) System (very similar to that of the 61-Point AF System that was implemented in the EOS-1D X and EOS 5D Mark III).

Soon after the release I started reading about a number of new 7D Mark II owners experiencing soft focus and various other related problems - some were very serious, to such an extend that in certain isolated cases Canon exchanged the bodies. I was naturally concerned, but did not have a body for any of my own testing.

I was fortunate enough to receive a demonstration Canon EOS 7D Mark II body paired with the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (which was launched more / less at the same time) from Canon South Africa.  I collected the kit from one of our local retailers for a couple of days of testing - mainly for Birds in Flight photography. During the testing period the combination performed flawlessly with no AF or other issues. The winter weather was absolutely appalling around Woodbridge Island, Cape Town, but I managed a few outings and compiled an article - Canon EOS 7D Mark II - First Impressions and Test Shoots.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens

A few weeks later I ordered my own Canon EOS 7D Mark II and paired it with my Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens that I've been using with an EOS 70D with very good results. I was concerned about the earlier AF issue reports, but after the first outing my concerns where put to rest - Canon EOS 7D Mark II : AI Servo Autofocus / FPS Test.

I use the Canon EOS 7D Mark II in many of my Birds in Flight Photography workshops as an advanced AF System reference, also assisting new owners of Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS-1D X Mark II bodies. I have never felt that the Canon EOS 7D Mark II was inadequate or not up to standard against any other advanced Canon EOS AF System - neither in the classroom nor in the field.

Two cost-effective Canon lens options for Birds in Flight Photography

In my opinion the Canon EOS 7D Mark II is an exceptional camera when paired with a fast lens and used in good light conditions - the rest is really up to the skill levels of the photographer. In 2018 I did an article on my long-time experience with the Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.5L USM lens - Long-Term Use and Experience.

NEW: Canon Camera System Change - From DSLR to Mirrorless

Canon EOS 7D Mark II Birds in Flight Gallery

Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f//5.6L USM Lens

AF System Configurations - Keep It Simple
New owners coming from i.e. the Canon EOS 7D or Canon EOS 70D were generally overwhelmed by the advanced 65-Point AF system with its various configurations, AF Modes and AF Cases.

 I often see in my workshops and private training how users have completely over-configured the AF System with practically no advantage - just more confusion and frustration.

My suggestion to new owners is to use the default settings and only do configurations with the AF Mode (i/e. Zone or Extended Zone for Birds in Flight Photography). This works much better - over time we look at specif areas for improvement.

Up to today I still use the default AF Case (Case 1) - with the only adjustments I will make from time to time (depending on the bird) is the AF mode. For the majority of the time I use the Large Zone AF - all images on this page was captured with Large Zone AF Mode.

AF Recommendations
I have written extensively on this website about my settings, configurations and approach with the EOS 7D Mark II, especially with regard to Birds in Flight Photography. Follow the various links to read more about my application, setup and tips. With Manual Mode, AI Servo and default AF System settings the images on this page should be more than achievable - Testimony of the Modern AF System: Canon EOS 7D Mark II.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Start by shooting with the default settings to check camera and lens behaviour. For me, more important than the configurations and settings of the AF System are the various Tracking Variables. In this article I have made no reference to camera / AF settings - mostly just behavioural and environmental considerations for improving application and skills.

Spend a lot of time on one set of settings before changing over to any other setting or configuration. I tell students / delegates not to change anything for weeks at ta time - first master exposure settings and the tracking variables and learn why certain things happen the way they do.

Learn about aperture and the impact of depth of field on the background when shooting fast moving subjects. Learn about the importance and effect of various shutter speeds on the wingtips and then also the impact of ISO / Auto-ISO in changing light / weather conditions. With the EOS 7D Mark II it is possible to use Auto-ISO in Manual Mode (as with Av or Tv Mode) - just be aware that with a fast shutter speed of i.e. 1/4000s the ISO could potentially go up to more than ISO 1000. In good light, with a 1/3200s or 1/4000s shutter speed, my Auto-ISO is generally between ISO 500 - 800. All birds in flight images on this page are within these ISO parameters.

Post- Processing

Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

We all have our own approach to post-processing our images. I try and spend as little as possible time with Lightroom post-processing and therefore believe that a well planned shoot (in good light if possible) will minimize the time I spend the time in fine-tuning my RAW files.

Body / Lens AF Micro-Adjustment
Most advanced EOS bodies are equip with an AF Micro-Adjustment function that could be used to configure and micro adjust various body and lens pairings. I have spent quite a bit of time learning and understanding the workings of Reikan FoCal - the automatic focus calibration software, but up to date use my EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens without any micro adjustments.

In my opinion it is not required on my pairing and therefore just shoot with the default settings. AF Micro Adjustment may be required in some cases, but before doing so spend enough time mastering the many other challenges of Birds in Flight photography and then pin-point the reason(s) for Body / Lens Micro-Adjustment.

Canon EOS 7D Mark III?
There is quite an anticipation for the possible release of the Canon EOS 7D Mark III. Like everybody else, I'm keeping an eye on the developments and have written about my thoughts on a possible future release- Canon EOS 7D Mark III Wish List for birds in Flight Photography.

All images on this page Copyright Vernon Chalmers (with Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens)

Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens