15 October 2024

Another Gorgeous Light Photography Morning at Spier

 Private Canon Photography - Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch, Cape Town

Southern Bishop Female Bird Spier Wine Farm Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography
Southern Bishop Female : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

As discussed last week, I was itching to go back to the tranquillity of the Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch, and Tuesday (15/10) returned with two main objectives (1) for another private client to practice different apertures / (f/stops) on the various flowers and (2) for me to go looking for the African fish eagle.

With the good light my client easily got into her rhythm learning apertures with a Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens – practising the full aperture range (with Depth of Field, backgrounds and different distances), the main learning criteria.

Within distance of my client I went searching for the fish eagle, nothing, not a single bird in the vivid blue sky apart from a miserable-looking high-flying pied crow.

I took the short hike around the dam to ‘at least have something on my memory card’ going back to Cape Town. The light was amazing (maybe a tad over-exposed for mid-morning predominantly white birds), but it felt great to have the familiar feeling of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L lens in my hands.

My client was happy with her aperture practice, but I have another excuse to soon return to Spier for the elusive fish eagle (and other birds in flight).

Lunch at the Spier restaurant (under the trees) was, as expected, great with a few swee waxbills hopping around in the grass and a very brave Cape sparrow in search of a few crumbs between the tables.

Vernon Chalmers Photography at Spier
"Vernon Chalmers frequently photographs the Spier Wine Estate, a scenic location in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. Spier, known for its historic Cape Dutch architecture and extensive natural beauty, serves as an inspiring backdrop for photographers. Chalmers captures the estate’s landscapes, birdlife, and unique features, (with different cameras) combining technical skill with an artistic perspective. His work often emphasizes natural lighting, framing, and the serene essence of Spier, which reflects a harmony between nature and human craft." (ChatGPT 2024)
Camera / Lens for Spier Wine Farm Bird Photography
  • Canon EOS 7D Mark II (APS-C)
  • Canon EF 400 f/5.6L USM lens

Exposure / Focus Settings
  • Autofocus On
  • Aperture Priority (Av) Mode
  • Apertures (f/5.6 - f/6.1) 
  • Auto-ISO (100 - 200)
  • Shutter Speeds (various)
  • No Image Stabilisation
  • Handheld

Image Post-Processing
Lightroom Classic (Ver 13.5) - minor adjustments /  RAW to JPEG conversion

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Vernon Chalmers Bird Photography at Spier, Stellenbosch

Greater Striped Swallow Bird Spier Wine Farm Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography
Greater Striped Swallow : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

African Sacred Ibis Bird Spier Wine Farm Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography
African Sacred Ibis : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

African Spoonbill Bird Spier Wine Farm Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography
African Spoonbill : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

Vernon Chalmers Flower Photography at Spier, Stellenbosch

Red Hot Poker Flower : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch Copyright Vernon Chalmers
Red Hot Poker Flower : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch 

Red Hot Poker Flower Spier Wine Farm Copyright Vernon Chalmers
Wild Flower : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

Photography Training Session at Spier Wine Farm >>

Photography Training Disclaimer: The occasional Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Sessions at the Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch is a private arrangement between Vernon Chalmers and one developing photographer (at a time) who wants to conduct some form of individual photographic practical at this specific venue. It is not any way a photography workshop, organised photoshoot and / or a setup of various photographic equipment, but the natural flow of how an individual nature photographer will respectfully capture images while walking around an idyllic location (with his / her camera) capturing images of wild birds, flowers and general nature scenery.


Greater Striped Swallow Spier Wine Farm Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography
Greater Striped Swallow at Different Angle, Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

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