Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town 2026
Vernon Chalmers with CTPS Members (Image Credit: André Mouton CTPS)
“You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”
― Ansel Adams
"Trust your intuition, focus and the camera in your hands. Forget about that 'perfect shot', work towards an ideal exposure and enjoy a special moment." ― Vernon Chalmers
"Human perception / perspective through the viewfinder is more important (to me) than the science / technology in my hands. Nature provides the consequential value and satisfaction..." ― Vernon Chalmers
Vernon Chalmers Photography Training (2015 - 2026)
Professional Cape Town photographer / private photography trainer, workshop facilitator and publisher of various online Canon EOS / EOS R camera and photographic resources.
"I predominantly photograph Birds in Flight, Landscapes / Seascapes, Close-Up and Macro photography subjects with Canon EOS / EOS R Full Frame and APS-C bodies paired with a variety of Canon professional and consumer prime / zoom lenses.
I balance my creative time between my own photography and the research, development / presentation of various Canon EOS / EOS R / PowerShot Camera training and photography training. I facilitate the majority of my one-one photography training in Milnerton / Woodbridge Island and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town." - Vernon Chalmers
AI in Photography Ethics
For those interested in learning photography, Vernon offers private Canon EOS / EOS R camera and photography tutoring in Milnerton, Cape Town, or even in the comfort of your own home or garden anywhere in the Cape Peninsula. His tailor-made programs cover camera menus, exposure settings, specific genres, practical shooting, and Adobe Lightroom / Topaz Phot AI post-processing.
Canon Photography Training Milnerton | Cape Town
Canon Photography Training Objectives
Vernon tailors individual learning programs to specific Canon EOS / EOS R camera and photography requirements. These programs focus on:
Canon Camera and Lens Compatibility
Any Canon EOS / EOS R body and lens combination is suitable for most training sessions.
Canon PowerShot camera models are also suitable for creative photography skills development.
Introduction to Canon Photography Training Cape Town View
Canon and other Equipment Covered
His work often features stunning images of birds, flowers, and landscapes, showcasing the beauty of the natural world. Here are a few highlights of his photography:
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your photography skills, Vernon Chalmers provides personalized training to help you capture stunning images.
He offers Canon camera and photography training in Milnerton, Cape Town, and the Cape Peninsula. facilitating various Canon EOS DSLR / Mirrorless one-on-one photography training classes for beginners to advanced learners. He has a passion for bird and wildlife photography and has conducted training sessions in Intaka Island, Woodbridge Island, and Kirstenbosch Cape Town". (Source / References: Microsoft and Vernon Chalmers)
Vernon Chalmers Photography Post-Processing Software of Choice:
The original Vernon Chalmers Academic / Training website (2007-2012) was replaced by the current Vernon Chalmers Photography Training website in 2013.
Purpose of the Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Website:
Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright
All Vernon Chalmers Photography images are copyright protected. Removal / Copy / Snipping / Downloading of any Vernon Chalmers image is not allowed Please refer to the Vernon Chalmers Copyright Policy section on this website.
Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Studio Apartment
Private training is facilitated from a secure studio apartment in Arnhem Milnerton opposite Woodbridge Island.
"I predominantly photograph Birds in Flight, Landscapes / Seascapes, Close-Up and Macro photography subjects with Canon EOS / EOS R Full Frame and APS-C bodies paired with a variety of Canon professional and consumer prime / zoom lenses.
I balance my creative time between my own photography and the research, development / presentation of various Canon EOS / EOS R / PowerShot Camera training and photography training. I facilitate the majority of my one-one photography training in Milnerton / Woodbridge Island and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town." - Vernon Chalmers
Vernon Chalmers Conscious Intelligence and Phenomenology
Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Rates 2026
Woodbridge Island Birds: A Photographic World of Vernon Chalmers
Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Rates 2026
Phenomenology, Consciousness, and Applied Existential Photography
"In recent years, Vernon Chalmers has emerged as a significant voice in the philosophical interpretation of photography. His work, grounded in phenomenology and existentialism, bridges traditional photographic aesthetics with contemporary cognitive and technological inquiry.
Chalmers (2021, 2023, 2024) conceptualizes photography as applied phenomenology—a lived practice of awareness and perception. His philosophy of Conscious Intelligence situates image-creation within the interplay between mind, technology, and being. Through his reflective essays and photographic studies of False Bay, Chalmers advances a vision of photography as existential presence—a dialogue between perception and existence.
For Chalmers, the camera is not merely an instrument but an extension of consciousness. The photographic act embodies what Merleau-Ponty (1945/2012) described as the intertwining of body and world. The image becomes a record of perception, a manifestation of being-aware.
His notion of Applied Existential Photography fuses aesthetics, phenomenology, and mindfulness into a coherent philosophical praxis. In the context of AI evolution, Chalmers (2024) argues that authentic photography resists automation through self-awareness. The photographer, as conscious participant, transforms observation into intentional seeing.
Chalmers thus extends the philosophical lineage of Flusser, Barthes, and Merleau-Ponty into a contemporary synthesis. His focus on perception and awareness offers a counterpoint to technological determinism—asserting that the essence of photography lies not in machines but in mindful experience." (Source: ChatGPT 2025)
More About Vernon Chalmers, Cape Town
"Vernon Chalmers is a South African academic, business, training, and development professional. He has a diverse background that includes Human Resource Management, Photography and Information Technology.
"Vernon Chalmers is a South African academic, business, training, and development professional. He has a diverse background that includes Human Resource Management, Photography and Information Technology.
As a professional photographer and educator he provides hands-on learning experiences to new and developing photographers across different genres.
Photography Genres
Birds in Flight Photography
Landscapes and Seascape Photography
Close-Up and Macro Photography
Photography Genres
Birds in Flight Photography
- Capturing the dynamic beauty of birds in motion. His skilful timing and patience result in stunning avian photographs.
Landscapes and Seascape Photography
- Rugged coastlines, serene sunsets, or majestic mountain vistas. Landscapes and seascapes.
Close-Up and Macro Photography
- Capturing the intricate details of nature, revealing the hidden world of tiny creatures, textures, and patterns. Macro and close-up photography
Architecture Photography
- Occasional exploration of architectural photography, capturing the lines, shapes, and character of buildings and structures. MOCAA V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Wildlife / Safari Photography
- While not a primary focus, wildlife photography showcases the fascinating behaviour and diversity of wildlife at Intaka Island /Woodbridge Island and Kirstenbosch Garden.
Other Genres
Behaviour Matters
AI in Photography Application
- Over the years there were many opportunities in fashion, portraiture and street photography.
Long Exposure Photography : Evening Architecture from Woodbridge Island
Behaviour Matters
- Vernon Chalmers believes that his own behaviour (concentration, patience, handling skills) and environmental factors play a crucial role in bird photography.
- While camera settings are essential, personal behaviour and awareness matter more during the decisive moment of capturing a bird in flight.
AI in Photography Application
- AI will change the nature of creativity, so it’s essential to develop new ways to interact with these machines.
- Vernon Chalmers acknowledges the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in photography.
- Elite cameras now use AI for advanced autofocusing, subject tracking, face- and eye-recognition features, and predicting subject movement.
- AI photo editing software simplifies complex editing processes, making them accessible even to beginners .
AI in Photography Ethics
- Vernon Chalmers delves into the ethics of AI photography, a topic that becomes increasingly relevant as artificial intelligence integrates further into the world of visual imagery.
- Chalmers emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations to ensure AI is used responsibly and beneficially in photography.
For those interested in learning photography, Vernon offers private Canon EOS / EOS R camera and photography tutoring in Milnerton, Cape Town, or even in the comfort of your own home or garden anywhere in the Cape Peninsula. His tailor-made programs cover camera menus, exposure settings, specific genres, practical shooting, and Adobe Lightroom / Topaz Phot AI post-processing.
Canon Photography Training Milnerton | Cape Town
Canon Photography Training Objectives
Vernon tailors individual learning programs to specific Canon EOS / EOS R camera and photography requirements. These programs focus on:
- Individual Needs and Gear Analysis
- Canon EOS Camera Menus and Settings
- Exposure Settings and Options
- Specific Genre Applications and Skills Development
- Practical Shooting Sessions
- Lightroom Classic Post-Processing Training (current clients only)
Canon Camera and Lens Compatibility
Any Canon EOS / EOS R body and lens combination is suitable for most training sessions.
Canon PowerShot camera models are also suitable for creative photography skills development.
Introduction to Canon Photography Training Cape Town View
Photography Training Rates
- Sessions start at R900-00 per four-hour session in Milnerton, Cape Town.
- A typical training program of three sessions costs between R2,450 - R2 500, inclusive of theory and settings training, with an optional practical shoot around Woodbridge Island.
- Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Rates 2026
Canon and other Equipment Covered
- Canon EOS cameras (from EOS 1100D to advanced AF training on the Canon EOS 80D and Canon EOS-1D X Mark III)
- Canon EOS R cameras (from EOS R to EOS R1)
- Canon EF / EF-S / RF / RF-S lenses (other compatible lenses)
- Canon EL and EX Speedlite flash units (including Macro Ring Lite flash models)
Canon Macro Photography Training : Milnerton, Cape Town
His work often features stunning images of birds, flowers, and landscapes, showcasing the beauty of the natural world. Here are a few highlights of his photography:
- Bird Photography: Vernon captures detailed and dynamic images of various bird species, often using high-end camera equipment to achieve stunning results.
- Kirstenbosch Garden Sculpture Photography: He has taken beautiful photos of sculptures at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, blending art and nature seamlessly.
- Long Exposure Photography: Vernon also excels in long exposure photography, creating mesmerizing images with a unique perspective.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your photography skills, Vernon Chalmers provides personalized training to help you capture stunning images.
He offers Canon camera and photography training in Milnerton, Cape Town, and the Cape Peninsula. facilitating various Canon EOS DSLR / Mirrorless one-on-one photography training classes for beginners to advanced learners. He has a passion for bird and wildlife photography and has conducted training sessions in Intaka Island, Woodbridge Island, and Kirstenbosch Cape Town". (Source / References: Microsoft and Vernon Chalmers)
Vernon Chalmers Photography Post-Processing Software of Choice:
- Adobe Lightroom / Topaz Photo AI
- Only use the Lightroom Library / Development / Import / Export Functions
- Cropping and Resizing (if required)
- Mainly for Texture Improvements / Lens Profile Corrections
- Noise / Sharpness Management (if required)
- Spot Removal
The original Vernon Chalmers Academic / Training website (2007-2012) was replaced by the current Vernon Chalmers Photography Training website in 2013.
Vernon Chalmers Birds in Flight Photography Woodbridge Island
Purpose of the Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Website:
- Archiving and publication of personal digital photographic images
- Promoting Vernon Chalmers Canon Photography private training / workshops
- Providing resources for Vernon Chalmers Photography training / workshops
- Sharing Canon EOS / EOS R body / lens articles, demo's and product research
- Indexing of Intaka Island bird species / nature / flower images
- Indexing of Kirstenbosch bird species / butterflies / flower images
- Indexing of Woodbridge Island bird species / other wildlife / landscape views
- Updating of Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright / Intellectual Property Rights
- Updating Milnerton / Woodbridge Island Residents on the ongoing sewage problem
Small Bird Canon Camera Training : Milnerton, Cape Town
Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright
All Vernon Chalmers Photography images are copyright protected. Removal / Copy / Snipping / Downloading of any Vernon Chalmers image is not allowed Please refer to the Vernon Chalmers Copyright Policy section on this website.
Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Studio Apartment
Private training is facilitated from a secure studio apartment in Arnhem Milnerton opposite Woodbridge Island.
Vernon Chalmers Photography Private Training / Workshops Cape Town
Contact Me for any Private Canon EOS / Photography Training / Workshops in Cape Town / Western Cape.
Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town Talks / Presentations
Since 2015 I have facilitated a variety of talks and presentations at various PSSA- affiliated clubs in the Western Cape. Members were also offered practical Birds in Flight photography opportunities with me at Woodbridge Island.
Canon Product Purchase Recommendations (new or used gear)
The Vernon Chalmers Photography website does not make any public recommendations on what Canon camera / Canon lens / Canon printer and or Canon Accessories should be purchased new and / or used. Any recommendations on the purchase of any Canon product will only be done in person (non-clients - consulting fees will be discussed individually in private communication) or in private messaging (clients). Preference in providing recommendations will be existing and / or future Vernon Chalmers Photography Training clients. Contact Vernon for more information.
Vernon Chalmers is also the domain owner of the re-emerging Conscious Intelligence and Existentialism and Canon Camera News 2025 websites.
Canon Photography Training Milnerton Intaka Island |Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town
- Introduction to Photography / Canon Cameras More
- Bird / Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch More
- Birds in Flight / Bird Photography Training More
- Canon Speedlite Flash Photography Training More
- Macro / Close-Up Photography More
- Landscape / Long Exposure Photography More
Contact Me for any Private Canon EOS / Photography Training / Workshops in Cape Town / Western Cape.
Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town Talks / Presentations
Since 2015 I have facilitated a variety of talks and presentations at various PSSA- affiliated clubs in the Western Cape. Members were also offered practical Birds in Flight photography opportunities with me at Woodbridge Island.
Canon Product Purchase Recommendations (new or used gear)
The Vernon Chalmers Photography website does not make any public recommendations on what Canon camera / Canon lens / Canon printer and or Canon Accessories should be purchased new and / or used. Any recommendations on the purchase of any Canon product will only be done in person (non-clients - consulting fees will be discussed individually in private communication) or in private messaging (clients). Preference in providing recommendations will be existing and / or future Vernon Chalmers Photography Training clients. Contact Vernon for more information.
Vernon Chalmers is also the domain owner of the re-emerging Conscious Intelligence and Existentialism and Canon Camera News 2025 websites.
After Sunset : Milnerton Beach towards Table View, Cape Town
(Canon EOS 6D / EF 16-35mm f/4 IS USM Lens)
(Canon EOS 6D / EF 16-35mm f/4 IS USM Lens)
Canon Photography Training Milnerton Intaka Island |Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town
