Africa in Monochrome

Recently I began a project that involved creating many of my nature images that I took while on several Africa safaris into monochrome images.

It is fun and sometimes it is rewarding to go back to your earlier photos and try to do something unique with them.  I think that the monochrome treatment offers that opportunity.

I use both Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 as well as One On Software's Perfect Black & White program in conjunction with Lightroom and Photoshop to get the best creative images from the color rendition.

Vervet Monkey 

Bat Eared Fox

All of these images were taken in Kenya, but these are just a few of my conversions.  I have many thousands of wildlife images from all over southern Africa.  I know that this endeavor should keep me busy for quite a while.

Dreaming of our next Africa Safari

This is a photo of one of Kenya's famous Brothers...a famous cheetah family that prowls the Masai Mara.  Lynn and I have been on four African safaris and we look forward to our next adventure to the Dark Continent.

Of course the photographic opportunities were the first reason that we decided to take an African safari.  But, I will never forget the words of Sarah Taylor of the Africa Adventure Company who designed our first trip to Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana) in 2004.  She said "There is something spiritual about an Africa wildlife safari that will cause you to return again and again."  She was so prophetic.  We always return to the States thinking about our next trip.  And, not just for the wildlife, but for the spirit that is there...the people, the energy..Capetown!

Daily I dream and plan about our yet unscheduled trip to Tanzania to return to the Serengeti (The Tanzania side of the Masai Mara) and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Hopefully, soon.

   

Africa is an amazing place to photography birds in addition to the Big Five and all of the wildlife that abounds.  I photographed the following two birds while on a safari in Kenya om 2007.  I think that they are both pretty interesting.

The longtailed widowbird is unique with its tailfeathers that extend about 20 inches!

This is a Bateleur Eagle

Nikon D70s, Nikon 80-400mm lens.  I am so looking forward to owning the new version of this lens for my next safari.

More later...