New gallery posted - Kolmanskop, Namibia

I have updated my Galleries section on my main andybiggs.com web site, and the newest gallery is entitled Kolmanskop.

Kolmanskop is a deserted mining town in the southwest corner of Namibia. The town developed after the discovery of diamonds in the area in 1908, and was there to provide shelter for workers from the harsh environment of the Namib Desert. 

The town declined after World War I as diamond prices crashed, and operations moved to Oranjemund. It was abandoned in 1956, and the desert has taken over its place as the rightful owner. Kolmanskop is popular with photographers for its scenic settings of the desert sands reclaiming this once thriving town. Due to its location within the restricted area of Sperrgebiet of the Namib desert, a permit is necessary to enter the town.

Here are few select images from the gallery. Click here to be taken directly to the gallery. Keep in mind that my print prices are heavily discounted until the end of the year, in case you would like one of these images on your wall.

John Paul Caponigro will be leading a photographic safari to Namibia in September, 2010. Click here for details.

Luminous Landscape Video Journal #19

The Luminous Landscape has just released their Video Journal episode #19, and this issue includes an amazing amount of video footage from our Namibia safari from April 2006. There are other great segments, as well, however I was most interested in seeing the video from our Namibia trip.

We visited 4 different locations in Namibia on that trip: Kolmanskop, Namibi Rand, Sossusvlei and Serra Cafema. LLVJ #19 contains more than 46 minutes of footage from that incredible trip. Michael and I waited to do an on-camera discussion about the trip until we were out on safari again, and that didn't happen until last September when we were in Botswana together. Yes, our Botswana safari should eventually be a Video Journal piece, as well.

As a side note, I do have a safari again to Namibia next September 2010. My friend John Paul Caponigro is leading the trip, and there is still some space available. We have no specific plans to return to Namibia beyond next year, so if you are planning your 2010 vacation or holiday schedule, this could be your ticket.

Click here to see a quick preview.

Click here for the LL checkout page to purchase the video (I have no financial interest in this or any of the videos on Lumionous Landscape).

Click here to see my September 2010 Namibia Photographic Safari.

10 Trillion Dollar Zimbabwe note. What's in YOUR wallet?

A friend of mine gave this to me a few months ago. Last year Zimbabwe actually printed up a 100 Trillion Dollar note. Crazy. I scanned this in this morning, before the note gets damged. Kind of fun to see all of these zeros!!

My book recommendations for the holidays

I have been asked a few times in the past few days about my favorite as well as recommended books. I quickly created an Amazon wish list with some books to help out those that are shopping for a loved one for the holidays. A few are Africa specific, and the rest are photography books. The books below are either educational or inspirational, and I refer back to these books often. If I could own only one photo book on my shelf, I would go for Galen Rowell's Inner Game of Outdoor Photography, hands down. He was an amazing man, educator, mountain climber, conservationist and photographer.

Update on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 07:11AM by Andy Biggs

I have added at least a dozen more books in the past few days, after looking at my own bookcase in my home. Some great books that inspire!!

Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Now that I have made my holiday book recommendations, next up are my stocking stuffer ideas that are under $100. If you have a loved one that is into photography, and you have no idea what to get him or her, here are just some ideas to help make the holidays a little brighter.

Lacie iamaKey 16GB USB Flash Drive. Now how cool is this? 16GB of storage, right on your keychain. $54.95 from B&H. They also have 8GB and 4GB versions if your budget is less or if you don't need 16GB.

Lacie iamaKey 16GB USB Flash Drive

Black Rapid RS-4 Camera Strap. I tried the strap on a recent workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I have to say that I love how comfortable my camera was. Definitely recommended. They have a few other models available if you want to pimp yours out a little more. $54.00 at B&H.

Black Rapid RS-4 Camera Strap

Impact Super Clamp. This is the same thing as the more famous Bogen Super Clamp (with Quick Action Clamp), but at a lower cost. I have found uses for these clamps in many situations. I can easily attach a ballhead or flash unit onto the clamp, and then attach the clamp onto tables, pipes or whatever I can find. I have one of these in my bag on every single trip that I take abroad. $19.95 at B&H.

Super Clamp

Justin Clamp. This is an essential tool for anybody who uses flash photography. Clamp a flash just about anywhere, and it doesn't weight that much. $54.95 at B&H.

Justin Clamp

Manfrotto 5001B Nano Compact Light Stand. This little guy fits easily in any duffel bag, and I can easily put multiple stands plus a ton of other lighting equipment in my Gura Gear Kiboko bag. They are lightweight and they don't take up much room. The collapse down to 19 inches and expand to 6 feet tall. Every traveling photographer needs to own a couple of these guys. I cannot guarantee that they are going to fit in your Christmas stocking, though.

Manfrotto 5001B Nano Light Stand