The green highlight of my photography for the last few years will be the dehorning of the White Rhinos at the Kragga Kamma Game park near Port Elizabeth last week. The horns of two rhino were removed to prevent them being killed by poachers. Being invited to such an event often boils down to pure luck and knowing the right people. I was sorry I could not invite my friends and fellow photographers but such is life.
How does one prepare for such a shoot? Well all the lenses were clean and batteries were charged and everything was laid out in the bag. I had all the camera support I needed and the longest lens was also present - a lot of weight to carry but one never knows how close you can get.
As I stepped out of my Synchro the button on my shorts popped off, you cannot cover for all contingencies and I decided not to breathe out and to invest in braces. With all these kind of events there was a delay but time passed thanks to my travelling companions and I covered almost everything at ISO 200 and a 100-400mm zoom and a shorter lens on the other camera body.
So was I happy with the results? Suppose so, but one always has regrets afterwards. The actual champion of the event was the 2 month old baby calf who was very scared and a bit confused. The way she tried to protect her mother was heart wrenching and stupidly, like everyone else, I was hypnotised by her mother's massive horn. I got those pictures, of the chaisaw biting into the horn, it coming off and being put aside. I don't think that anyone could have taken enough picture of the baby though.
Internationalising the pictures afterwards was a pain with internet connections disconnecting and emails not arriving. Then also writing a brief article to accompany the images was a pain. One always needs a quote late at night and as the night continued I got more befuddled and my spelling went for a loop.
Anyway it became a 15 hour work day with me being very tired and confused at the end of it. Wrapping up is still ongoing and I have approached about 4 local magazines and the chainsaw manufacturer (one has to think laterally) offering articles and/or images.
I am very grateful to Ayesha (does anyone know where her name comes from?) Cantor who attended one of our photography courses. Her family owns and manages the park and her excellent photo and nature knowlege meant that we were the closest vehicle and the only one on the right side in relation to the sun!
How does one prepare for such a shoot? Well all the lenses were clean and batteries were charged and everything was laid out in the bag. I had all the camera support I needed and the longest lens was also present - a lot of weight to carry but one never knows how close you can get.
As I stepped out of my Synchro the button on my shorts popped off, you cannot cover for all contingencies and I decided not to breathe out and to invest in braces. With all these kind of events there was a delay but time passed thanks to my travelling companions and I covered almost everything at ISO 200 and a 100-400mm zoom and a shorter lens on the other camera body.
So was I happy with the results? Suppose so, but one always has regrets afterwards. The actual champion of the event was the 2 month old baby calf who was very scared and a bit confused. The way she tried to protect her mother was heart wrenching and stupidly, like everyone else, I was hypnotised by her mother's massive horn. I got those pictures, of the chaisaw biting into the horn, it coming off and being put aside. I don't think that anyone could have taken enough picture of the baby though.
Internationalising the pictures afterwards was a pain with internet connections disconnecting and emails not arriving. Then also writing a brief article to accompany the images was a pain. One always needs a quote late at night and as the night continued I got more befuddled and my spelling went for a loop.
Anyway it became a 15 hour work day with me being very tired and confused at the end of it. Wrapping up is still ongoing and I have approached about 4 local magazines and the chainsaw manufacturer (one has to think laterally) offering articles and/or images.
I am very grateful to Ayesha (does anyone know where her name comes from?) Cantor who attended one of our photography courses. Her family owns and manages the park and her excellent photo and nature knowlege meant that we were the closest vehicle and the only one on the right side in relation to the sun!
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