07 October 2024

Photography Training Session at Spier Wine Farm

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

Private Photography Session Spier Wine Estate - Copyright Vernon Chalmers
Landscape Photography : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

While everybody was frantically driving opposite me on the N2 to get to work on Monday morning I had the opportunity to facilitate an one-on-one private photography training session at Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch. I've been there on a few occasions over the years as a student and with friends, but never from an exclusive photographic perspective. View Spier Wine Farm Google Map / Directions below.

The objective of the individual private photography session was not landscape photography, but general (Canon EOS R mirrorless theory) and wildlife photography exposure and autofocus skills development with the Canon EOS R6 paired with a variety of Canon EF lenses (And the EF to RF Adapter).

It was a beautiful blue and crisp morning at Spier Wine Farm within it's tranquil and laid-back 'out-of season' environment - perfect for someone to get to grips with the modern and high-tech Canon EOS R6 camera.  We were seated on our own under the water-side veranda, away from a few early-morning (American) wine-tasters. Nothing was rushed and for me it was one of the most perfect locations for impromptu outdoor photography and / or photography training.

The day did not belong to me and I had to deliberately, at first, seat myself away from the beautiful scenery to focus exclusively on my client's training objectives and personal photography needs. 

Not to impede on my new client's time I took a few landscape snapshots during our break. A bit rushed, but I think those of you that's been to Spier (close to Stellenbosch) will agree with my description of the relaxed Spier Wine Farm location. It is indeed possible to walk around the dam. To the right of the dam (out of sight on all images here) is a protea flower garden.

African Fish Eagle and African Harrier Hawk at Spier
My client informed me that she has photographed an African fish eagle and African harrier hawk at Spier in the past. I'm planning a private trip within the next two weeks to spend a morning with the birds and the protea garden - and perhaps just taste some of Spier's exquisite wines.   

To my surprise there were quite a few Birds in Flight and I was itching to grab my Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm lens from my vehicle +- 300 meters away. I've spotted quite a few bird species who will make it worth the trip to go there just for them.

Some of the birds flying over the water / or perched during our private photography training session at Spier Wine Farm:

  • African ibis in flight
  • African spoonbill in flight
  • Pied kingfisher in flight
  • Purple heron in flight
  • Raptor in flight (too high to ID)
  • Southern masked weaver perched
  • White-breasted cormorant perched
  • White-throated swallows perched and in flight
  • Many small birds perched and in flight
  • Yellow-billed duck / and others in the water


Camera / Lens for Spier Wine Farm Landscape Photography
  • Canon EOS 6D (Full-Frame)
  • Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens

Exposure / Focus Settings
  • Autofocus On
  • Aperture Priority (Av) Mode
  • Apertures (f/11) 
  • Auto-ISO (100)
  • Shutter Speeds (various)
  • Image Stabilisation On
  • Handheld

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

Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright | IP Policy

Vernon Chalmers Landscape Photography at Spier, Stellenbosch

Private Photography Session Spier Wine Farm - Copyright Vernon Chalmers
Landscape Photography : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

Private Photography Session Spier Wine Farm - Copyright Vernon Chalmers
Landscape Phototherapy : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

Private Photography Session Spier Wine Farm - Copyright Vernon Chalmers
Landscape Photography : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

Private Photography Session Spier Wine Farm - Copyright Vernon Chalmers
Landscape Photography : Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch Google Map / Directions


Another Gorgeous Light Photography Morning at Spier >>

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.



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