Talks At Google - From Silicon Valley to the Serengeti

Google recently invited me to give a talk on my African wildlife photography, my photo safari business and how I transformed my former life as a software consultant into what I do today. I called my presentation From Silicon Valley to the Serengeti. Enjoy!

Nik Software bundle is now only $149

Some great news while I was away in Iceland. Nik Software’s budle is now only $149, which used to be $499. Now we get everything included with the $149 price, whether you want the plugins for Lightroom, Aperture or Photoshop. This is awesome news. I use Nik Software’s plugins on most of my images, and I usually use Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 4 and Silver Efex Pro 2 as my main ones. If you have purchased only 1 of the plugins in the past, you are now eligible to upgrade to all of the entire suite for free. Very cool.

Nik Collection is now $149

Google+ Hangout with Nik Software

A few days ago I was in the San Francisco bay area for some business, and I found myself down at Google headquarters with the Nik Software team. We had an hour-long Google Hangout (we called it a Fireside Chat) and spoke openly about trends in the photo industry. We spoke about HDR, film, mirrorless cameras, how portrait and wedding photographers set trends that we see in wildlife photography and also covered wet plates. It was great to see my friends Laurie Rubin, Dan Hughes and Scott Sheppard in person. Thanks for the great chat!

Blog update

Wow. What a couple of months it has been. I apologize for the lack of updates on this blog, however I have been so busy that I haven’t had much of a chance to do more than update my Facebook account with little snippits. Why the lack of content? I have been to Africa twice since early September, leading 4 separate photographic safaris between the countries of Botswana and Namibia. That’s a ton of time in the bush in such a short period of time. Let’s break it down: 3 safari groups in Botswana and 1 group to Namibia, totaling 6 weeks in the bush since September 8. Given that I don’t live in Africa, the flying back and forth between continents has put a strain on my energy levels as well as on my family life. Needless to say I am glad to be home to be with my family for the Christmas holidays.

Let’s break down my time in the bush by separately writing about each safari, which I will do in separate posts over the next couple of days. I have so much to write about, from unique wildlife sightings to unique moments with my travelers, so it will be best for me to split up the posts.

I want to wish everybody a wonderful holiday season, no matter where you are or what your belief system is. Time spent with loved ones is extremely important to the Biggs family, and we want to extend our own Christmas blessings to you.

Canon Pixma PRO-100 Video

Recent Interview in H Texas Magazine

I was recently interview by H Texas magazine about my photography, how I got started, and what my passions. Check it out if you have a few minutes to spare.

Big Cats of the Masai Mara - 2 New Safaris for 2013

Today I am announcing a pair of safaris for 2013 that will excite those who wish to photograph all three of the 3 big cat species: cheetah, leopard and of course lion. I planned these safaris for the photographer who wants more opportunities to capture the Masai Mara’s big cats in their majestic environment. The safari will be entirely based at the best camp in the Mara ecosystem, Mara Plains Camp. Mara Plains in in the Olare Orok Conservancy, which has very few camps and also has offroading driving. We won’t have to worry about crowds or having to stay on roads to get our best photographs. I have to say that in my past travels to this area of the Masai Mara I have had my best opportunities to witness and photograph cheetah chases. On my last safari in March 2012 to the area we had numerous cheetah chases, leopards with cubs on multiple sightings, majestic male lions on top of hills with wind in their faces, and to top it all off we had the big cat trifecta of having all 3 species within view of our vehicle at the same time. This is just a taste of the things that we can see on this safari. Please join me.

Safari Highlights

• Game drives in the private Olare Orok Conservancy (where our camp is located), bordering the Masai Mara, to the north. Unlike the Mara itself, this reserve is private to the very few camps located here, so we will not experience the larger crowds present inside the Mara proper. With this said, we will have the option of driving into the Mara each day if we decide to, although the game viewing is as good or better in the Orok. We will also have the option of returning to camp after dark since we are not subject to the rules of the National Park. 
• We have private vehicles for the safari game drives, with only 1 person per row of seating (the vehicles have either 2 or 3 rows behind the driver, plus a seat next to the driver if you want to be lower down to the ground.) The vehicles are open 4x4 vehicles, allowing for unhindered movement for photography. 
• Private and exclusive use of the safari camp.
• Safari is limited to 14 participants, plus Andy and Chas as trip leaders.
• Private air charters between Nairobi and our private camp in the Masai Mara region.
• Extra luggage allowances to accommodate the special needs of our photographic equipment. The Nairobi-Mara charter flights will allow for an average of 30-35kg (66 to 77lbs) per person.
• This itinerary focuses on up-close and real wildlife experiences from the surroundings of premier accommodations.

For a complete detailed itinerary, dates and costs I have two links:

Big Cats of the Masai Mara, May 22-31, 2013

Big Cats of the Masai Mara, May 30-June 8, 2013

Cheetah on a Termite Mound, March 2012

 

Mara Plains Camp at Night

Hot Air Ballooning over the Masai Mara

Captain Alan G. Poindexter, 1961-2012

Today we mourn the loss of friend, former astronaut Alan ‘Dex’ Poindexter, as the result of a tragic jet ski accident off the coat in Florida. Dex was a very talented photographer, friend, husband and father. Our hearts go out to Lisa and their two sons during this very sad time. I am at a loss for words, so this is a very brief blog post today.

Leslie and I had the fortune of knowing Dex, and I wrote about our behind-the-scenes NASA visit back in late 2010 on this blog:

NASA - A Behind-The-Scenes Tour

Godspeed, my friend. We miss you.