Private Canon Photography - Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch, Cape Town
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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.
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
Image Post-Processing
- 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
Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright | IP Policy
Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright | IP Policy
Vernon Chalmers Bird Photography at Spier, Stellenbosch
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Greater Striped Swallow : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch |
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African Sacred Ibis : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch |
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African Spoonbill : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch Vernon Chalmers Flower Photography at Spier, Stellenbosch Red Hot Poker Flower : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch |
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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 at Different Angle, Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Garden |