Photography is for the birds

Photoshoot: World of Birds, Houtbay.
Published by www.reporter.co.za

It is a tragic reality that in order for most humans to interact closely with wild animals we have to lock them up in cages.

As a photographer there are few things as frustrating as observing animals wrapped in wire. By playing around with your sport settings and manual focus, you can make those sad cages all but disappear - even if just for a moment.

Studio Photography - Glass

It took three people, two hours, several broken glasses and a completely soaked studio to print this photo. I set the glass on a white sheet and ruffled it somewhat to add texture. The background is a cream wall with a very slight grain which was enhanced by the angled lighting. The light technician Juan Davy (who doubles as the owner of his own signage company) originally controlled the four lights, which included, hovering one light above the glass for extended periods while we drain the glass and soak up the mess. The second assistant, Murdock Macdonald, whose day job is owning an international automotive protection company, his duty included repeatedly tossing two litres of water from up high into the glass, without toppling the glass, electrocuting us, or killing my camera. And all I had to do was press the button.