A Morning at Kirstenbosch Garden...

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

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Anton Smit Sculpture, Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

“When our eyes see our hands doing the work of our hearts, the circle of Creation is completed inside us, the doors of our souls fly open and love steps forth to heal everything in sight.” Michael Bridge

African Lily Flower, Kirstenbosch, Cape Town

“Flowers. Every flower goes through stages of budding, opening, closing and wilting. Each of them has a preferred season and environment. They are unique. Like us. Each of us is unique. And like flowers, we each have a preferred season. So why do we expect ourselves to be in bloom all year round?” ― Rebecca Ryder

African Daisy Flower, Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

"The African Daisy, scientifically known as Osteospermum, is a vibrant and colorful flower native to South Africa. It is well-known for its daisy-like appearance, often featuring a central disc surrounded by colorful petals. The petals come in various shades, including purple, pink, white, orange, and yellow, sometimes with contrasting dark centers.

African Daisies thrive in sunny environments and are commonly grown as ornamental plants in gardens or containers. They are part of the Asteraceae family, which also includes sunflowers and chrysanthemums. These flowers are relatively easy to care for, requiring well-drained soil and regular watering, but they also appreciate a bit of drought once established. They're popular for their resilience, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies." (Source: ChatGPT 2025)

Cape agapanthus (African Lily), Kirstenbosch, Cape Town

"The Cape agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus) is a beautiful flowering plant native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is well-known for its striking blue or white flower clusters that bloom in the summer. The plant is also quite hardy, making it a popular choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance but visually appealing addition to their landscapes." (Source; Microsoft Copilot 2025)

Wild Flowers (African Daisy), Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

Flower / Small Bird Photography with Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Kirstenbosch Garden provided me with another opportunity for experimenting with the Canon EOS 6D Mark II paired with the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens - to be used as my main pairing when visiting Kirstenbosch Garden (across al seasons). We arrived a bit late with the light on the the over-exposed side on the whiter flowers / subjects.

I am quite confident that the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is more than just a subtle full=frame megapixel upgrade on the beloved Canon EOS 6D Mark I have used for close-up, harden and other photography for the past decade. Lens of choice for Kirstenbosch Garden: still the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens for a variety of small subjects.

Photography Conditions: Sunny / No Wind

Camera / Lens for Kirstenbosch, Cape Town Photography (Vernon Chalmers Images)

• Canon EOS 6D Mark II (Full-Frame)
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens
• Lexar Professional 64GB UHS-I 160MB/S /1066x Speed

Exposure / Focus Settings for Kirstenbosch, Cape Town Flower Photography

• Autofocus On
• Aperture Priority (Av) Mode
• Apertures (f/5.6 and f/11)
• Auto ISO (100)
• Shutter Speeds (Various)
• Image Stabilisation On
• Zone-AF Mode
• Handheld

Kirstenbosch, Cape Town Photography, Image Post-Processing
Lightroom Classic (Ver 14) - Minor Adjustments / RAW to JPEG Conversion

All Images Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography : Vernon Chalmers Copyright Policy

More About Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the jewels of Cape Town. Nestled against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, it's renowned for its stunning display of native South African flora, and it's part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, bird watcher, or just looking for a peaceful place to relax, Kirstenbosch offers an extraordinary setting. There are winding paths through lush gardens, with a variety of plants that showcase the incredible biodiversity of the region. The Boomslang Canopy Walkway is a popular feature, providing breathtaking views of the garden and surrounding mountains.

It’s a great spot for picnics, leisurely strolls, and even concerts on summer evenings. The garden also features art installations and a botanical society shop where you can find locally made crafts and books on the region's flora.

What To Do At Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town?

Visiting Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town is a treat! Here are some must-do activities:

• Explore the Gardens: Take leisurely walks through the beautifully landscaped gardens. Don't miss the Boomslang Canopy Walkway for stunning views.

• Picnic: Pack a picnic and enjoy it on the lawns with a backdrop of Table Mountain.

• Concerts and Events: Depending on the season, there are often concerts and events held at Kirstenbosch, which are fantastic for both locals and tourists.

• Botanical Diversity: Marvel at the diverse flora, including indigenous plants and rare species.

• Hiking Trails: If you're up for some light hiking, Kirstenbosch offers trails that lead into the surrounding Table Mountain National Park.

• Birdwatching: The gardens are a haven for birdwatchers, with many species to spot.

• Tea Room and Restaurant: Relax at the tearoom or grab a bite at the restaurant, both offering great views of the gardens. (Source: ChatGPT 2025)

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Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens (Still Applicable)

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens for Hair Fashion

"A Golden Oldie" For Hair Fashion Photography

One of my older all-time 'short' lens favourites for more than 10 years. This lens was part of the Canon EF-lens line-up with the previous generation Canon EOS DSLRs - for both Full-Frame and APS-C bodies.

Super sharp and a bit 'narrower' than the Canon EOS EF 50mm f/1.8 USM II lens (nifty-fifty) of the same era. Lightweight, very sharp, with a good bokeh for portraits and close-up flowers (non-macro). No Image Stabilization, but that has never bother me for the photography I do with this kens.

I purchased this consumer lens for professional / commercial photography at +- 1/3 of the price of the L-series 85mm lens. With the correct EF-to-RF converter this lens should also be compatible on many newer Canon EOS R bodies.

This lens will probably not be available on the new market anymore, but its worth the consideration as a used option for portraits and reasonably close-up small subjects (although standing back will provide a wider and sharp perspective at various apertures - depending on subject size and / or creative objective.

I have used this lens with / without flash for a hair fashion show a few years ago for a couple of shoots. With images published throughout various mediums. At the same time I carried a Full-Frame Canon paired with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens for group and other wider-angle promotional group shots. I still use the EF 24-70mm lens quite frequently as well .

Note: All models where going through their fast-walking catwalk routines - with busy backgrounds. I had the opportunity to follow them closely during this particular show. The 'short' lens (with flash) handled the action with ease.

Images: Copyright Vernon Chalmers for Partners Hair Design

Canon Equipment / Exposure

• Body: Canon EOS 70D (APS-C)
• Lens: Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM (Full-Frame)
• Flash: Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT
• Exposure: Various (ISO / Aperture / Shutter Speed)

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens for Hair Fashion Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens for Hair Fashion Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens for Hair Fashion Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens for Hair Fashion Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Fashion Photography with an 85mm Lens

"Using an 85mm lens for fashion photography is a fantastic choice! Here are some reasons why it’s so popular and tips on how to make the most of it:

Why the 85mm Lens?

• Flattering Perspective: The 85mm focal length provides a natural and flattering perspective for portraits, avoiding the distortion that wider lenses can introduce 1.

• Beautiful Bokeh: With a wide aperture (like f/1.4 or f/1.8), the 85mm lens creates a shallow depth of field, producing a creamy, blurred background that makes your subject stand out 2.

• Versatility: It’s great for both close-up shots and full-body portraits, making it versatile for various fashion photography needs 1.

Tips for Using an 85mm Lens in Fashion Photography

• Use Wide Apertures: To achieve that dreamy bokeh effect, shoot with a wide aperture. This helps isolate your subject from the background 1.

• Maintain Distance: Keep a comfortable distance from your model. This lens works best when you’re a few meters away, allowing you to capture detailed shots without invading personal space 2.

• Focus on Details: The sharpness of an 85mm lens is perfect for highlighting intricate details in clothing and accessories 2.

• Experiment with Angles: Try different angles and compositions to add variety to your shots. The 85mm lens is forgiving and helps maintain a natural look 1.

Examples of Use

• Editorial Shoots: Perfect for capturing the essence of fashion in a controlled environment.

• Outdoor Fashion: Great for taking advantage of natural light and beautiful backgrounds while keeping the focus on the model 2." (Source: Microsoft Copilot)

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Garden