Maurice_M

Hi Johan, n
I am living in the suburbs to the North of Johannesburg, and if you want we can meet up to look at some pictures. I will be going to Sabi Sands on 8th, 9th and 10th May so I hope to have some new Leopard with cubs pictures by then as well.

all the best

Maurice

johan_belgium

Maurice,

Would be great to do so. Maybe we can meet in the Grace or do you have other suggestions.

Greetings,

Johan

Maurice_M

Hi Johan and others,

If you really want something to aim for in Wildlife photography check this link out

http://www.pbase.com/alex_beb/africa_2005


Maurice

cooncat3

Maurice - more inspiring photos to be sure. Thanks for sharing that link.
Sharon

Maurice_M

Hi Johan,
I am pretty sure that I can find the Grace in Rosebank, plus if you do not know Johannesburg very well it is probably not wise that you drive around, just in case you never know.

If you let me know when you expect to be there and give me a convenient time as well.

all the best

Maurice

atravelynn

Exceptional photos. You seem to know exactly which ones will look good as black and white.

andybiggs

Johan-

Indeed, we did photograph similar people at Serra Cafema. Makes sense, as the lodge has a close relationship with those folks, as they traded assistance with them for their giving up the planting of maize where the lodge is located.

I have some samples photographs now online, but there are just rough edits:

http://www.andybiggs.com/namibia06/

I look forward to hearing more about your book project. I am going down the same path right now, but my standards for my own photography keep getting pusheded higher and higher. I am also starting to shoot with 4x5 sheet film again for a very unique look.

cheers!

Andy

johan_belgium

Maurice,

Thanks for sharing that link. Indeed some excellent work. It's always nice to see better work from someone else so you can have something to aim for.
I like to see as much as possible pictures from fellow travellers.

I will be at the Grace early morning the 13th of May. First I will rest a bit and we can meet from 15 hrs on. It's all up to you.

I don't have a car at my disposal. I am used to drive in Capetown which I know better than Brussels ... but Joburg is something I am not used to.

Lynn and Sharon: Glad you like my pictures.

I have high expectations for this year especially for the Namibia trip in August (especially for my stay at Wolvedans/Skeleton coast) and my trip to Botswana in September/October (especially my 7-day stay at Duba Plains). But right now I am looking forward to see everyone at Kwando again especially Harry and Monique, Steve and Joe.

Greetings,

Johan

johan_belgium

Andy,

I already had a look at your pictures from Namibia and your website. They are of excellent quality.

For me, I like to spend as much time as possible in Africa. At first, I didn't had a special intrest in photography. But then I realised that I saw so many beautiful things that it would be a shame not to capture those images.

I already have a nice collection of pictures but I need some more and for that reason I will be staying for a week or more at the following places this and the following year: Duba Plains/Lebala/Selinda and Mombo in the hope to be able to take pictures of predators in action.

My main objective is to get people make aware of places like the Okavango Delta in Botswana. At first no one of my friends/relatives/colleagues didn't know of the existence of Botswana and the Delta. But now they know. I will be telling facts about the Delta in Botswana and stories from the people there and some anekdotes from my own safaris. What intrigues me at the moment is Maun (it's growing rapidly) and the impact of Angola on the delta now the civil war has ended.

And of course I will publish some of my better pictures. Although I am not aiming to become as good as a professional, it will be nice to become a good amateur photographer.
I have many still shots of birds and mammals but for real action shots there is a great deal of luck with it. But the longer you stay at a certain place, the higher your chances get.

Last year, I had the luck to meet two famous wildlife photographers: Beverly Joubert at Duba Plains and Frans Lanting at Nsefu (South Luangwa).
I learnt one thing good photography is hard work.


Greetings,

Johan

sundowner

I finally had the time to click on your link and give your images the time they deserve, Johan. I've always really enjoyed the pictures you post here and now you've done it again. This collection of images is awesome! There are too many that make me ooh and aah to pick a favorite. Simply stunning. Are all these images from one trip? How long were you there?


Andy, if you are still reading, did you do a workshop in Namibia? I just checked your workshop schedule and didn't see any. You have some incredibly beautiful images from there. That house full of "dunes" is amazing! One of these days I'll book a workshop with you. I did Botswana with Chas in October and that was great fun.

Cindy (from San Antonio)

sundowner

One other thing, Johan. I thought I was finished buying lenses but now I'm really thinking about a wide angle and it's all your fault (love your pictures with the 10.5!). I have the 16-35 but it's not wide enough on the 20d.

andybiggs

Cindy-

yes, it was a workshop, but I didn't advertise it on my end. Michael Reichmann and I did the trip together, but it was more or less marketed through Luminous Landscape.

I am now planning on returning back to Namibia, but with a combination trip to Botswana. My 2006 and 2007 schedules are 100% spoken for at the moment, and my safaris are almost all booked up until mid 2007. 2008 will be a year when I return to Namibia and Botswana, I hope.

Johan, this is your thread, and I want to say again that I enjoyed your images. I would love to see larger versions online, because they are wonderful to look at.

-Andy

jweis

Johan,

I think your images are creative and usually quite unique (which is not an easy accomplishment) and I know from experience that they are the product of a LOT of time spent waiting and lots of patience. Well done.

If you don't mind a tiny bit of constructive commentary (I don't believe I've ever seen any with regards to your work on this forum though), it looks to me like you may have applied a bit too much sharpening on some of them (web-optimized versions, I realise). Again, just my opinion - but really, I'm a big fan indeed.

Regards,
James

cary999

HI johan
Wonderful photos - and - so MANY of them too!!!
From my PC, I agree with James, many look oversharpened. (And I know it's not just back lighting). What do I see? Many "lines", grass, tree limbs, zebra stripes, have a white outline on them. Over shapening can also cause a increase in contrast/saturation that looks "artificial", for lack of a better word. Maybe it's just my PC or the web (or me!!) because you obviously have great talent. And I offer this not simply as critisim but as someone who will tell you what they see. You do not need the usual comments about how marvelous, whether true or not. (Although, still nice to hear, I agree). Again, just my 2 cents, for your consideration. I won't hide here in "public", if you wish to critique my critique in private to me, my email address is - tdgraham at sbc dot global dot net. (Change the at and dot to the proper thinges). I'm truely looking forward to more of your photos.
regards - tom

johan_belgium

First of all, thanks again to everyone for your appreciation on my work.

James,

You are very right about the sharpening. I was wondering why no one was mentioning it. I really appreciate it when people tell me how I could improve my work. Such images I would never think of publishing of course.

Andy,

After I return from my trip in May, I will try to publish some of my pictures on a wider screen. (maybe through Pbase)

Cindy,

All these images are from one trip:

This was my itinerary:

- Windhoek (1 day);
- Palmwag rhino camp (3 days);
- Serra Cafema (4 days);
- Duba Plains (4 days);
- Duma Tau (3 days);
- Chief's camp (2 days);
- Baines (3 days);
- Chitabe trails (4 days).

We had a private vehicle at our disposal at Duba Plains and Duma Tau and where lucky to have the vehicle on our own at certain moments at Chitabe trails.

A good friend of mine was accompanying me and I've chosen all this camps in the hope this could become a trip he would remember for all his life. I made a promise (foolish a bit) but I said that we would see all the big carnivores and to top it off we would tracking black rhino.

The only camp that I said that there couldn't be argued about was Serra Cafema. Not a typical safari destination at all but in our opinion one of the highlights of our trip. If anyone is considering going to Namibia, I would strongly recommend to go to this camp because of the stunning landscapes and the wide variety of activities (walking, drives, boating, quad biking, visiting the himba people).

I was talking to some people of Wilderness Safaris at Serra Cafema and found it strange that their occupancy rate was much lower in Namibia than in Botswana. I think this is because people see it not as a typical safari destination (like Botswana).

For all my upcoming trips in Botswana, I will be using a private vehicle in 2006/2007 because it really makes a difference.

I will be visiting the following camps in 2006/2007:

- Mombo (2);
- Selinda (1);
- Kwara (1);
- Duba Plains (2);
- Lebala (2);
- Jacana (1);
- Chitabe (1).

I am planning to do a privately guided camping trip with one of my favorite guides Pilot Manga to the Khwai section of Moremi national park and Savuti(not the camp in the Linyanti).

And a last note, although it's hard work sometimes (especially at home between the holidays), I find it a real privelege to be able to spend so much time in Botswana.

Greetings,

Johan

Maurice_M

Hi Johan, No Problem

I will be able to make it on the Saturday afternoon. We can have a coffee and look at some photographs and compare notes.

I will call you around 15.00 or so just to make sure it still suits you.

Maurice

johan_belgium

Maurice,

That's perfect to me. Looking forward to hear from you and of course see some pictures.

Greetings,

Johan

Kavey

Johan
Do you have any ideas about marketing your book and pictures?
I've just launched our new print sales website but I don't really know best way to spread the word. I suspect I can't post on sites like this because it would be construed as advertising but then again owners of tour businesses do post their links here without issue.
But any other thoughts would be very welcome.
THANK YOU!

johan_belgium

Kavey,

It's quite busy at work right now so don't have much time right now.

I'll surely answer that question extensively on a later date. (after I return early June).


Greetings,

Johan

Kavey

Thanks Johan, I'd be grateful for any input. And from anyone else who has any ideas... via email.
THANK YOU!