Seth Resnick’s New Sketches From Namibia

Destination - Namibia  Comment
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Seth Resnick and I just returned from two stellar Namibia photography workshops that focused on its world class dune fields. Here’s a selection of my favorites.
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Seth shared his working process and ranking system.
“When I am in the field I rank my images and create rough drafts or sketches. From the sketches I create my best images for my portfolio and galleries. In order to get to a point that I can clearly call an image a portfolio piece I must live with it for awhile and have it stand the test of time. I have assembled all of my “sketches” from Namibia soI I can start making final selections for prints and exhibition.”
“The editing process is very important to me. I shot close to 8000 images. I rank all the images and my ranking is essentially a 1 is an idea that doesn’t quite work. They get deleted instantly. A 2 is a solid idea that has a stage but no actor or an actor and no stage but the idea is solid. They are also deleted. A 3 is well a good college try. It is a solid image but it is lacking something. Three;s that can become 4’s are kept. I want to see if a 3 may be come a four with processing. A three that stays a 3 is deleted. A 3 that can become a 4 is kept. A 4 is a truly solid strong image and one to be proud of. A 5 is portfolio image that will have a long life. I make a gallery with the images that have a 3+ or greater ranking and then I live with them and narrow it down. In the end I will likely take 5 of these into exhibitions and portfolio.”
View more of Seth’s images here.
View more Namibia posts here.

Sketches From Nambia’s Skeleton Coast

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Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is famous for its near omnipresent fog, which is created by the confluence of hot Namib Desert sands and cold Benguela Current waters that flow north from Antarctica.
When access to the big dune fields was cut off, play helped me find my way along the coastline.
Here’s a collection of recent iPhone sketches from Namibia’s Skeleton Coast.
View more Namibia posts here.
Find our more about my Namibia digital photography workshop here.
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Tracking An Elephant On Namibia’s Skeleton Coast

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In the Wilderness Safari’s Skeleton Coast camp they name the elephants after the guides. The old male, Papa G, not wanting to scuffle with younger males, often walks alone far away from the herd. In musk he can become testy. Giraffes, oryx, baboons and people alike stay at a respectful distance. One evening, we followed Papa G from sunset to dusk, as he weaved his way out of a dry riverbed, across small dune fields, through clay playas, around small mountains that sheltered our camp, and to the water hole that lay close by.
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Chance encounters like these help make every day special.
View more Namibia posts here.
Find out about my Namibia digital photography workshop here.

Sunrise Above The Clouds In Namibia

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It didn’t look good. The pre-dawn sky was filled with clouds. And our guides were driving away from the dunes. Assured by our pilot that it would be a good flight we got in the balloon and lifted off. Passing through the clouds we saw the sun rise above them on the far horizon. It was a sublime moment!
Find out more about my Namibia digital photography workshop here.
Find out more about my digital photography and digital printing workshops here.

Aerial Photography – Sossusvlei, Namibia

Destination - Namibia, Images - Photographs, Photography  Comment
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I recommend you seize every opportunity to photograph a location in the air.
When you go , take two cameras with different focal lengths. Use high shutter speeds (1000 plus). Ask your pilot to circle the most interesting areas and vary altitude. If possible, go doors off to reduce reflections. If it’s not, wear a black long sleeve shirt. Keep your lens/shade out of the wind. Shoot fast. As you fly, so will time.
Photographing the Sossusvlei dune fields by helicopter was a highlight for all of us during my recent workshop in Namibia. The views were simply divine. These images are all panoramic merges. We did a full 360 degree pano from the helicopter, just for fun.
Learn more in my digital photography workshops.