Take a Photo Adventure on the Wild Side - with Andy Biggs and Laurie Rubin

Laurie Rubin and I recently co-ran a webinar, featuring Nik Software products. Laurie and I processed some images from our safari together in Kenya last fall, and we had a few laughs during the 1-hour presentation. Take a peek and hopefully a few nuggets of information will be of use to you.

Take a Photo Adventure on the Wild Side - with Andy Biggs and Laurie Rubin

Remember that you can earn a 15% discount on all Nik Software products by using ABIGGS as your code when checking out.

Photo of the Day - Lion in the Sabi Sands

Lion Stare

Sabi Sands, South Africa

Nikon D3x, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR1, 1/200 @ f/4.5, ISO 800

This is one of the members of the famed Mapogo group of male lions. The Mapogo can adequately be described as one of the most badass group of male lions, and have enjoyed photographing them when I am in the Sabi Sands. With this image we sat next to him off to the side of our Land Rover, as he was relaxed but alert. You can tell he has been in many altercations, due to the amount of scars on his face. I used a 70-200mm lens on a D3x to capture this image, which indicates just how close we were to each other. His stare just went right through me, which is an envigorating feeling. Do a Google search on the Mapogo Lions or Mapogo Males if you get a chance. Some fascinating reading, to say the least.

I will be running two back-to-back safaris to Singita Sabi Sands in June, which is part of the historical territory of the Mapogo males. For more information on these South Africa Photo Safaris, here are two links:

Singita Sabi Sands Photo Safari, June 2-11, 2012 (only 2 spaces available)

Singita Sabi Sands Photo Safari, June 10-19, 2012 with Marc Muench and Andy Williams (only 4 spaces available)

Photo of the Day - Botswana Safari Group

Our Safari Group - July 2011

I love to take group photographs from each safari, and this one was no exception. It’s great to look back at so many happy faces after some amazing experiences out in the bush. On this particular safari we visited 2 camps in northern Botswana, Chitabe and Savuti, and came home with some stellar photographs.

Nikon D800 and D800E Pre-Order

The world’s worst kept secrets, the new Nikon D800 and D800E, are now available fro pre-order over at B&H. I think the D800E has my name on it. :-)

Nikon D800 available for pre-order

Nikon D800E available for pre-order

Who's Getting the new Fuji X-Pro 1?

I have to admit that I am salivating over the new Fuji X-Pro 1. Let’s look at the specs:

• APS-C sensor (1.5x)
• 16.3mp
• Full HD video (1920x1080)
• New lenses
• Compact and small. Definitely competes against a Leica M9

B&H is now accepting preorders for the X-Pro 1, and the choice comes down to which lenses to mate to the camera. Here are some options:

• 18mm f/2
• 35mm f/1.4
• 60mm f/2.4 Macro

I think the 18mm f/2 is pretty much a slam dunk, at least for the kinds of situations I would want to use the camera for. The 35mm would also be useful, however I think the 60mm might not be for me. I will need to try it out first, though.

Are you thinking about buying into the system? Of all of the mirrorless platforms I have seen so far, I probably respond best to the Fuji X-Pro 1. I already own a Sony NEX-5 and like it quite a bit, however I am looking for more of a rangefinder product.

Nik Software Webinar on Feb 16

Please join me, along with Laurie Rubin, for a 1-hour webinar on February 16 at 10am PST (1pm EST). Laurie and I were on safari together a few months back in Kenya, and we are going to go through some of our images and will process some of them using Nik Software products. Here is a description of the event:

Join award winning photographers, Andy Biggs (Workshop Educator and Leader) and Laurie Rubin (Nik Education Project Manager) as they revisit their recent trip to Kenya, Africa. Take an adventure into the world of photographing the ‘Super Bowl’ of the animal kingdom. They will show you their tips and techniques from photographing wildlife to post-processing in the digital darkroom using Nik Software products and the equipment that they used. This will be an entertaining and educational webinar that will both motivate and inspire anyone that enjoys wildlife photography. (www.andybiggs.com and www.imagesbylaurie.com) 

(Please note that the first 1,000 attendees to join the live webinar can attend. We also offer a variety of other online training webinars held everyday, Tuesday through Saturday, as well as Master Classes held once a week. Please visit www.niksoftware.com/learnmore )

Take a Photo Adventure on the Wild Side with Andy Biggs and Laurie Rubin
February 16 at 10am PST

Also remember that if you are interested in purchasing any Nik Software products, you can use my code ABIGGS for a 15% discount.

Photo of the Day - Lion at Mombo

Lion, near Mombo Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana. July 2011

Nikon D3, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII, 1/800 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 1600

Photo of the Day - Lion on a Hood

Lion on a Hood (with a point and shoot behind her head)

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, 2007

Every now and then I look through my past raw files from years past to see if I have forgotten about any worthwhile photographs for posting. I am typically looking for interesting images, images that have something of value from a teaching standpoint or ones that just make me laugh. Well, this one just makes me laugh. Enough said.