Table Mountain, Cape Town… Handheld at f/16

Our Majestic Mountain - Handheld at a Small Aperture

Table Mountain om Av Mode Vernon Chalmers Photography

This image (in very good morning light) was a very rare small aperture (f/16) handheld capture for me – as most of my students will know I generally recommend only to go as small as f/11 when handholding a camera for architecture, landscape or street photography – with AF enabled. This technique is for getting most of the image sharp without using a tripod. The same will apply for high-end (professional) macro / food photography – at apertures around f/16 it is highly recommended to use a tripod.

This particular Table Mountain image was captured with a Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm lens between Milnerton and Table View in Av Mode at 35mm / ISO 100 / f/16 / AF Mode enabled (handheld). The good light (@ ISO 100) was a major support factor for the pairing I have used at f/16.

I have experienced lately that with the modern Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras (with built-in Image Stabilisation) and paired with various RF lenses (specifically designed for the EOS R) that it is now less risky to shoot handheld in Manual / Av Mode - with AF enabled at f/16 / Auto-ISO in reasonable good quality light (for various different genres). The images I looked at / worked with where without any particular camera shake and it rendered a sharp image across the frame.

Important: For long exposure photography with a DSLR or mirrorless camera a tripod will still be a requirement as the photographer will be shooting for up to 30 seconds (or longer in Bulb Mode) at a low ISO (i.e. 100 to 200) at i.e f/16 - using Manual Focus as standard practice / and with hyperfocal distance estimations.

Without a tripod it is highly unlikely that any long exposure image will be useable due to the handheld shake / movement during the longer exposure in-camera processing at the same time. The camera should be kept as still as possible - I generify use a remote shutter cable release to minimise any additional / unnecessary movement. 

© Vernon Chalmers

Glorious Photography Light at Woodbridge Island

Woodbridge Island / Table Bay Nature Reserve Bird in Flight Photography

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

Speckled Pigeon in Flight Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Birds in Flight Training Session Woodbridge Island

We had quite an early morning start (before 07:00) for an in-flight training session and was greeted by very crisp light, no wind and quite an abundance of local bird species. We took a hike into the Woodbridge Island Table Bay Nature Reserve and for the first time I observed the local black-crowned heron drinking water from the Diep River. It was a pleasant sessions with good signs of the Diep River returning to pre-2017 conditions - considering the pollution / sewage issues experienced her over the last couple of years.

It was a very good photography training session all morning. It felt like the old days (pre-2017) before all the Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island pollution and sewage problems. The birds were naturally relaxed and I really hope this is (once-again) the future of natural and undisturbed bird behaviour around the Woodbridge Island birding and natural environment.  

Woodbridge Island birds photographed during the morning:

• Speckled pigeon in flight
• White-throated swallow in flight
• Cape teal duck in flight
• Grey heron in flight
• Common greenshank landing
• Common tern in flight
• Blacksmith plover in flight
• Hadeda ibis in flight
• Black-winged stilt
• Common moorhen

Canon Camera / Lens / Exposure Settings: 

• Canon EOS 7D Mark II
• Canon EF 400mm f5.6L IS USM Lens
• Manual Mode: 400mm / f/5.6 / Auto- ISO (Various) / 1/2500s Shutter Speed

Post-Processing: Adobe Lightroom Classic Version 13

White-Throated Swallow in Flight Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Cape Teal Duck in Flight Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Grey Heron flying over the Diep River Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Common Greenshank Landing Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Common Tern in Flight Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Low Flying Blacksmith Plover Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Hadeda Ibis flying along the Diep River Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Black-Winged Stilt in the Diep River Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Common Moorhen in the Diep River Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Canon Photography Training Inaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden |  Woodbridge Island

For the Developing / New Photographer

Its not necessarily the quality of the camera, but more often the subject in front of the lens that 'captures' an audience.

Grey heron walking the Milnerton Lagoon, Woodbridge Island

This image of the grey heron 'walking with an attitude' was created more than 10 years ago with my oldest camera / lens. Its been my most liked and talked about image ever since.

At the time (as a developing photographer), I was more concerned with image quality and post-processing). I have since then learned that chasing the light and patience are far more important...

I've never been asked with what camera / lens I've created this image. Its not the best quality image against many standards, but it resonates with many people in terms of various (human) behaviours and characteristics - it tells a story.

With Canon EOS 700D / EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens at the Milnerton Lagoon, Woodbridge Island

2022 Update: 

Over the years this image has gained thousands of Social Media (Facebook / Twitter) likes and comments around the world via a few posts I've made in an attempt to just share this unexpected moment in time.

Here is an update of one of these posts on my Mental Health and Motivation website about the 'Walking Grey Heron" - this particular post of the grey heron was shared to a Birdlife South Africa Facebook Group.

A Special Moment of Gratitude >>

Taking advantage of good natural light View

Differences Between a DSLR and Mirrorless Camera
What is the Difference Between a DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras?

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden | Woodbridge Island

Introduction to Birds in Flight Photography

Introduction to Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town: Camera / Lens Settings & Tips

Vernon Chalmers Bird in flight Photographer Milnerton, Cape Town

Canon EOS 7D Mark II  / 400mm Lens ISO 500 / f/6.3 / 1/3200s

There are access to various resources on the Vernon Chalmers Photography website on how photograph birds in flight, the resources that I have developed and a few tips and other resources I have developed over the more than ten years a a birds in flight photographer and photography trainer.

Birds in Flight Photography Training Milnerton / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town >>

Canon EOS SETUP and Tips for Birds in Flight Photography

Canon EOS 70D Birds In Flight Canon EOS 70D / EF 400mm Lens

Canon EOS 80D Birds in flight Photography Canon EOS 80D

Canon EOS 7D Mark II Birds in Flight 10 Frames Per Second Demo

Canon EOS 7D Mark II : Automatic Selection Autofocus Testing View

Canon EOS 7D Mark II : Large Zone Autofocus Testing View

Starting Out with Birds in Flight Photography View

Canon EOS Setup and Tips For Birds in Flight Photography View

Tracking Variables for Improved Birds in Flight Photography View

Canon EOS 7D Mark II Application For View

Birds in Flight Photography Training Gift Vouchers View

Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 55-250mm IS II lens (Tv Mode)
One advantage of using fast shutter speeds is the freezing of motion of birds in flight (BIF). On a DSLR and / or advanced compact / bridge camera this is achieved by either Manual or Tv (Shutter Priority) Mode.

DSLR vs Compact / Bridge Camera (ito faster lenses / higher shutter speeds)
The advantage of a DSLR over a compact camera (imo after various tests) will be faster autofocus, improved lens image-stabilisation (IS) and the bigger image sensor (for improved low light shooting, depth of field and possibly some framing).

EXIF data (Images Below)

• Canon EOS 700D body
• EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS lens
• Tv Mode 
• Shutter speed: 1/1000s 
• Aperture: f/8 (selected by camera) 
• ISO 250 - 320
• Focal length: 280mm (slightly cropped) 
• Multi-Shot Mode / AI Servo / RAW

Cape Town Location / Conditions
Milnerton Lagoon / Cape Town (30/07/2014)
Sunny / Windy

Below Images: Canon EOS 700D / EF 70-300mm IS USM Lens

Canon EOS 700D / EF 70-300mm IS USM f/8 ISO 320 1/1000s Multi-Shot Mode IA Servo

Canon EOS 700D / EF 70-300mm IS USM f/8 ISO 250 1/1000s Multi-Shot Mode IA Servo

Vernon Chalmers Photography Workshops Cape Town View

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town View

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town | Around the Cape Peninsula

Orange-Breasted Sunbird and other Beauties at Kirstenbosch

 Orange-Breasted Sunbird, Experimental Images and a few other Species

 Orange-Breasted Sunbird, Kirstenbosch

Experimental / Training Session at Kirstenbosch Garden

A few images while experimenting with a different camera / lens set-up during our Saturday visit to Kirstenbosch. I normally use the Canon EOS 70D / EOS 7D Mark II APS-C / crop bodies paired with my Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. For this outing I used the Canon EOS 6D (which I almost exclusive use landscape photography) pared with the same lens, The crop factor of the APS-C bodies provides an additional 1.6x magnification (compared to a Canon Full Frame body) when using the same lens. Both body setups will have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of i.e. reach to subject (due to sensor size), autofocus tracking capability, burst speed, depth of field, dynamic range and physical weight.   

These images were captured impromptu during the facilitation of an active student photography training session. Set-up times (for compositions, focal lengths / other settings) where not (always) available.

The three experimental images have a slighter different Lightroom adjustment (than my standard post-processing RAW adjustments) in terms of i.e. exposure, contrast, highlights and shadow properties. This was mainly due to the poor / busy backgrounds of where the images were captured.

Aperture challenge on the butterfly close-up
The butterfly image should have been captured at a smaller aperture than the f/5.6 used - I personally would have liked the back wing to have had more sharpness and definition. Aperture f/8 - f/11 would have assisted with this.

A Full Frame camera with it's larger sensor and pixels generates a shallower depth of field (more blur) using the same aperture (via the same lens) on an APS-C / Crop camera body. In the fast moving morning I left it at f/5.6 (as we were capturing small birds) and the depth of field provided by the larger aperture is visible.

Experimental Insect and Flower Images

Butterfly Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

Natal River Lily Kirstenbosch Garden

Dragonfly Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

Other Images Captured during the Session 

Olive Woodpecker Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

Cape Grassbird Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

Cape Honeysuckle Flower Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

Red Wildflower Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

Egyptian Goose Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

Juvenile Helmeted Guineafowl Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

Angulate Tortoise Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

Canon Equipment

• Canon EOS 6D
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens

AF / Exposure / Lens Settings

• Autofocus (400 - 400mm)
• Aperture Priority (Av) Mode
• Aperture: f/5.6 - f/11
• ISO (Auto-ISO 100 - 2500)
• Shutter Speeds (1/250s-1/800s)
• Handheld / IS Enabled

Image Post-Processing
Adobe Lightroom Classic (Version 13)

Bird & Flower Photography Training Practical Kirstenbosch >>

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Species

Bird Species / Bird Photography at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Vernon Chalmers Birdlife Photography Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Cape White-Eye Bird Posing : Kirstenbosch Birding  © Vernon Chalmers

'Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Species Index'

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Map | Directions >>

Photographer: Vernon Chalmers

The 'Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index' is a relatively new personal Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index photography project around Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: 

• Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis)
• Cape Grassbird (Sphenoeacus afer)
• Cape Robin-chat (Cossypha caffra)
• Cape Spurfowl (Pternistis capensis)
• Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer)
• Cape White-Eye (Zosterops virens)
• Dusky flycatcher (Muscicapa adusta)
• Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
• Forest Canary (Crithagra scotops)
• Hadeda Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash)
• Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris)
• Karoo Prinia (Prinia maculosa)
• Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia famosa)
• Olive Thrush (Turdus olivaceus)
• Olive Woodpecker (Dendropicos griseocephalus)
• Orange-Breasted Sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea)
• Southern boubou Shrike (Laniarius ferrugineus
• Southern Double-Collared Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus)
• Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus)
• Swee Waxbill (Coccopygia melanotis)

Small bird photography at Kirstenbosch

The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a safe and natural environment for photographers enjoying birding, butterfly and / or flower photography. The historical gardens are professionally landscaped, well-manicured with public access to acres of lawn grass, flowers, shrubs and trees for photographing many of the large variety of smaller garden bird species during a single photography session. There are many footpaths and grass areas providing relatively close access ab abundance of smaller birds across most areas.

Kirstenbosch birding photography training also offered as Photography Training Gift Vouchers

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Gift Vouchers Cape Town >>

Recommended camera lenses for photographing small birds at Kirstenbosch
Any (zoom) lens covering the 70-200mm / 70-300mm / 100-400mm / 100-500mm or 150-600mm focal length range. I have found my 70-200mm / 70-300mm lenses a bit 'short' for real close-up images of the smaller Kirstenbosch garden birds. For most of my bird photography at Kirstenbosch I use my Canon 100-400mm zoom lens and / or 400mm prime lens (paired with different camera bodies). Below the Cape robin-chat image is my Canon camera / lens equipment list for small bird photography at Kirstenbosch. 

Bird / Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden  More >>

Kirstenbosch National Garden Address
Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town
Google Map / Directions

Cape Bulbul : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Map & Directions Kirstenbosch Google Map

With the Americans at Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town View

Tremendous Thursday at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View

Fabulous Friday at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View 

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Images © Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy

The Paddocks Milnerton Bird Species Index View

Woodbridge Island / Table Bay Nature Reserve Bird Species Index View

Cape Robin-Chat : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Canon EOS Cameras used for the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Species Index

• Canon EOS 70D
• Canon EOS 7D Mark II
• Canon EOS 6D
• Canon EOS R

Karoo Prinia : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Garden, Cape Town

Cape Spurfowl Kirstenbosch Garden After the Rain

Canon EF Telephoto Lenses used for the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Species Index

• Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens

Southern Double-Collared Sunbird : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Birding Photography at Kirstenbosch

Birdwatching at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island >> | Kirstenbosch Photography Training >>

Bird Photography Training at Intaka Island Cape Town >>

Intaka Island Bird Species Index >>

The Old Wooden Bridge After Sunset

The Old Wooden Bridge After Sunset - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Testing the Canon EOS 6D's long exposure / low light capabilities towards the old wooden bridge in the Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island Cape Town (January 2017). In the background of the first image is the Milnerton lighthouse and Milnerton canoe club.

All images photos by Vernon Chalmers Photography

Vernon Chalmers Copyright: Wooden Bridge After Sunset Cape Town Photography
Please do not use / re-publish any Vernon Chalmers Wooden Bridge After Sunset, Cape Town Photography images without permission. View the Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy for more more information.

The Old Wooden Bridge After Sunset : Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

The Old Wooden Bridge After Sunset : Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

The Old Wooden Bridge After Sunset : Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

History of Milnerton / Woodbridge Island : From 1897 - 1980

History of Milnerton

Bird & Flower Photography Training Practical Kirstenbosch

Learn Creative Bird / Flower Photography at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Private Birdlife Photography Sessions / Courses at Kirstenbosch

Southern double-collared Sunbird at Kirstenbosch © Vernon Chalmers

Learn Creative Bird / Flower Photography with your Canon Camera

Morning Photography Training Practical Sessions at Kirstenbosch, Cape Town.

Facilitator / Photographer: Vernon Chalmers

This is an opportunity for new Canon photographers to learn hands-on how to photograph small birds and wild flowers at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town.

One-on-on early morning training around the Kirstenbosch Garden as either part of an once-off practical bird / flower photography learning experience or other Vernon Chalmers (introductory) Photography Training Options to master Canon Autofocus, exposure settings and techniques for capturing perched small birds and various flowers around Kirstenbosch. 

Training Objective / Level : Bird & Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch
For assisting the developing nature photographer with the understanding and application of introductory to intermediate small (garden) birds and flower photography around the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. 

Kirstenbosch birding photography training also offered as Photography Training Gift Vouchers 

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Gift Vouchers Cape Town >>

Bird and Flower Photography Learning Areas : Kirstenbosch Photography Training

• General / Close-up Photography for Birds
• General / Macro / Close-up Photography for Flowers   
• Cameras / Lens / Menu Overview
• Autofocus Settings
• Exposure Mode(s)
• Exposure Settings
• Techniques / Demonstrations*

* This will depend on the photographer's skills and camera body / lens pairing. During the practical walk-around photography session I will discuss / demonstrate various techniques for improving / maintaining ideal exposures (and focus) for small bird and flower photography at Kirstenbosch. The quality of light / other environmental conditions may also influence specific exposure settings applied during a specific session.

Integrated Hands-On Learning Approach - Kirstenbosch Photography Training
The training will have a relaxed integrated hands-on learning approach throughout the morning session with your own gear. 

Training Duration at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
One session of up to four hours photographing various small / garden birds (the occasional butterfly) and flowers around Kirstenbosch Garden. 

Training Cost for Kirstenbosch Practical Photography Training
R650 (one delegate) for up to four hours around the Kirstenbosch Garden areas. This fee is exclusive of the Day Entrance Fee rate. Please bring along your SA ID document. This is a Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden entrance requirement.

Photography training rate(s) will be differently costed when a Kistenbosch birds / flower photography session is part of other Milnerton / Woodbridge Island photography training session options.

Maximum delegates: Up to two people (R600 per person)
 
Canon Camera Body / Lens Requirements

• Any Canon EOS DSLR (APS-C / Full frame / Mirrorless) / Certain Canon Powershot models could also be considered
• 55-250mm / 70-200mm / 70-300mm / 100-400mm / 400mm+ lenses recommended
• No tripod / monopod required

Online Kirstenbosch Bird and Flower Photography Support
All delegates are eligible for private WhatsApp / Email Support for uploading / discussing photos, learn more, get online support and / or shoot with me at Kirstenbosch (after the original workshop practicals).

Contact Vernon Chalmers for More Information

More Vernon Chalmers Bird and Flower Images at Kirstenbosch. View here, here and here

Fabulous Friday at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View 

All Kirstenbosch Bird, Butterfly and Flower Images Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography

Vernon Chalmers Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Species Index

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town Map | Directions

Bird Photography Training Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Cape Robin-Chat Kirstenbosch - Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town
- Canon EOS 70D / EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens - 

Cape White-Eye Kirstenbosch - Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town
 - Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - 

Cape Bulbul Kirstenbosch - Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town
- Canon EOS 7D Mark II  / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - 

Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden

Wild Flowers Kirstenbosch - Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town
- Canon EOS R  / EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens - 

Wild Flowers Kirstenbosch - Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town
- Canon EOS 7D Mark II  / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - 

 Wild Flowers Kirstenbosch - Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town
- Canon EOS 70D / EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens - 

Butterfly Photography Training Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Garden Acraea Butterfly Kirstenbosch - Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town
- Canon EOS 7D Mark II  / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens - 

African Monarch Butterfly Kirstenbosch  - Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town
- Canon EOS 70D / EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens - 

African Monarch Butterfly Kirstenbosch - Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town
- Canon EOS 70D / EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens - 

Canon EOS / Canon EOS R / Canon PowerShot Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town | Across the Cape Peninsula

Birding Photography at Kirstenbosch

Birdwatching Photography Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape Town 

All Images Copyright / Intellectual Property of Vernon Chalmers More Information >>