Category: News

Jon-Erik Munro is a South African photographer living in Cape Town. With a keen interest in photography for as far back as he can remember, Jon-Erik's passion was sparked by his grandfather who was a keen photographer and artist.  After finishing matric he went on to study photography at City Varsity.

Now, years later, having worked for well-known lodge photographer David Rogers, he has gained invaluable experience in the realm of managing image libraries, colour correcting images, and of course, taking brilliant photographs. Jon-Erik has also worked on numerous design projects for various well known organisation. Cape Point, Two Oceans Aquarium, and most recently the Waterfront Boat Company are to name but a few.

Meet Jon-Erik Munro in the interview below

1. What sparked your interest in photography?

I think it was my grandfather.  I remember when I was much younger watching him work with his slides.  He used to paint a lot and would go out and shoot off a roll of film so that he would have a reference for his paintings.  I remember his study was always full of albums of prints, and other photographic equipment. Once he heard that I was studying photography he would send me all his old equipment for me to use.  I still use most of it.

2. What kind of photography are you most passionate about?

I thoroughly enjoy landscape photography; I also enjoy interior photography.  One of favorite spots to practice my landscape photography would be up in the  Karoo.  Our family has a house on Touwsberg Private Game and Nature Reserve and it’s a great place to work on some landscape.  You get fantastic sunsets there and paired with those iconic windmills is a recipe for some stunning images. 

I always carry my camera around with me.  You just never know when a great photo opportunity will present itself, and you can walk away with a brilliant shot.  I have taken some great landscape images just simply walking around Kalk Bay harbour in the evenings.

3. What is the simplest thing that has ever inspired you?

Sometimes something as simple as good light can be the perfect bit of inspiration for a great photo, and gets the creative juices flowing.  One thing leads to the next and before you know it you have a great image or even a great series. 

4. If there was one African destination you could photograph, what would it be?

It probably will sound a bit cliché to most, but I would love to take a trip to Kenya and take some time to photograph the migration and the Masai.  From what I’ve seen it looks like the migration is an amazing event and there are plenty of photographic opportunities no matter where you look.

5. What’s the dumbest question anyone has ever asked you about photography?

I always get asked how many megapixels my camera has and then when I give them an answer they seem amazed and tell me it must take some amazing photos!  Then you have to go into a brief explanation telling them it’s not really the megapixels that make a great photo!

6. What is the most unusual thing you’ve taken a photograph of?

I think one of the more unusual and interesting things I have had to photograph is an oilrig being towed out of Cape Town harbour, up to the Congo.  It was one of those last minute jobs, where the client calls, permits are organised and you have to be there within the hour.

Earlier last year I was also asked to photograph spare parts that this engineering firm creates for generators and air compressors!

I don’t think any job could be classified as boring, but definitely unusual.

7. Why do photographers need Photoshop?

I would say many photographers over the last few years have moved over to Lightroom.  Lightroom is a powerful archiving tool, and it also lets you do all sorts of adjustments to your images.  Over the years Lightroom has become more and more powerful.  The latest version of Lightroom has a book-making module where you can create a coffee table book and upload your book straight to Blurb.com.

I do think though that photographers can’t use Lightroom alone, and using Photoshop to make your final adjustments to an image is a good idea.  Some of the features in Photoshop are a bit more sophisticated than Lightroom, which gives you a bit more control.  So I think photographers can use Lightroom and Photoshop together to create some fantastic images.

8. Complete this sentence: Because of photography…

Photographers have been able to bring certain subjects to others who might not necessarily be able to see them otherwise. 

I would also say because of digital photography, being able to take a photo has become more accessible for people who might not have had access to resources like a film lab in the days prior to digital photography.

9. Are there any websites or online communities you upload your photos to?

I upload quite often to 500px, an online community that is relatively new. There are some amazing photos on the site.  I also upload to my Facebook page, Jon-Erik Munro Photography, as often as I can.

10. Any tips for taking a good photo on a safari with an average camera?

Yes! Get to know your camera back to front and inside out.  No matter what kind of camera you have, whether it is an advanced SLR or a simple point and shoot, learn the settings and familiarise yourself with how to access them.  There is nothing worse than missing that once in a life time shot because you don’t know how to set up your camera correctly. 

One suggestion that was given to me was to put your camera in a black bag and practice setting the ISO, the aperture etc. without looking.  Also, carry your instruction manual in your camera bag.  You never know when you might need to look something up.

Have a look at our featured interview with celebrated nature and wildlife photographer Shem Compion. He tells us about his passion for wildlife photography, where he draws his inspiration from and some of the challenges he’s faced as a professional nature and wildlife photographer.

Above: A hornet flies past two very mesmerised meerkats in the Kalahari.

 

1. How did you get into photography?

 

I have always had a love for nature. I even studied it at the university. When I picked up my camera it was inevitable that I would combine the two, which is exactly what happened.

Above: A mother hyena carries her young while the older pup struggles to keep up.

 

2.  What kind of photography are you most passionate about?

 

Nature and wildlife are truly the two aspects I feel most passionate about. When I’m placed in an environment where these two elements are present I can really feel my photographic/creative side emerging.

Above: A young lion cub greets its mother in a show of affection that imprints a special bond between the two.

 

3.   What do you draw your inspiration from?

 

I draw inspiration from being surrounded by nature. The calmness and the vastness of the true wilderness makes me want to capture them to the best of my ability. Observing the work of the photographers I grew up admiring also inspires me. Seeing what those photographers did with hardly any equipment makes me realise how hard I still have to work. This is quite a driving force for me.

Above: Flamingoes fly over the shores of Lake Nakuru; covering the sky in a wash of beautiful pink.

 

4.  How would you describe your photographic style?

 

I don’t consider myself as having any kind of specific photographic style; instead, I try to concentrate on taking the best photograph each and every time. It seems to be working as I’ve received numerous awards in a number of nature and wildlife categories.

Above: A tiny, but beautiful weevil clings to a flower bud at the start of summer.

 

5. Are you a traditionalist who occasionally uses film or have you gone completely digital?

 

For work, I use digital cameras. When I play around with old cameras I use film.

Above: A young cheetah cub investigates its surrounds as an act of learning.

 

6. What advice do you have for aspiring photographers?

 

Get out there and enjoy the medium for all it can offer. Don’t worry too much about equipment; rather focus on the results that you are getting. Always try to improve on your photography by coming up with new and creative ideas.

Above: A light outlines the profile of a lioness in the evening, alert and just about to head off to hunt.

 

7. What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve had to face as a photographer?

 

My greatest challenge up to this point has to be the photo market crashing. Stock images went from $500 an image to $5 an image. This affected practically all photographers and everyone had to find some way to reinvent themselves. I personally went the route of photo workshops and tours, which is great because I interact well with people and I love to travel.

Above: In South Luangwa, a leopard stalks from the shadows across a dry riverbed late in the afternoon.

 

8. Have you ever fallen short of taking the perfect shot?

 

All the time; I’ve come to question what exactly a ‘perfect shot’ is. Even when I look at my best images, I can find flaws in them. That’s one of the joys of being a photographer; we are always searching for an image that’s just a little better than the previous one.

Above: A wildebeest running in the rain.

 

9.  Where is your favourite place to take photographs of wildlife?

 

Probably dry, arid areas, these environments require you to focus on the little you have around you, thus presenting a greater challenge. Also, when change happens, it happens fast, which is very appealing to me.

Above: Wildebeest gather in a stampede of dust just before crossing the Mara river.

 

10. What is your greatest achievement as a photographer thus far?

 

I’d have to say being able to support myself as a wildlife photographer in a very small market. The international awards are great and they increase exposure to one’s work, but being able to do what I love while being able to live comfortably is an achievement in itself for me.

If you enjoyed Shem’s photographs as much as we did and would like to see some more of his work, take a look at his website.

I had the pleasure of chatting to Andre Holland, who ventured on a 15-day Malawi safari in March 2015, coming to grips with the local culture, spending time on it's remote neighboring islands and exploring its wildlife-rich game reserves.

Andre put together this awesome video of his exploits in the landlocked Southeastern African country, bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique.

African Wanderings Part I: Malawi from Andre Holland.

Q&A with Andre Holland

Was this your first time in Malawi?

Yes, this was my first trip to Malawi, but I’ll definitely go back! This wasn’t my first visit to an African country though, I’ve been to Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Madagascar before.

Who did you travel with?

For the first couple of days it was just myself and my girlfriend, Taryn. It was her 30th birthday, which we got to enjoy on Mumbo Island with not another soul on the island! Pretty cool having a deserted island for a 30th birthday!

We later met up with another couple, Jacqui and Richard, on the mainland at Cape Maclear. Clearly it was far too romantic a trip – Rich dropped his knee soon after their return to South Africa and they are now engaged.

“Pretty cool having a deserted island for a 30th birthday!”

Why Malawi? What inspired you to visit this African country?

My girlfriend, Taryn, works as an Economic Development Consultant and has been living in Blantyre, Malawi, for a couple of months prior to our trip. She planned the Malawi safari and so the trip was all about going to visit her and being there for the big 3-0.

Which African countries would you like to visit next?

I’m keen to explore West Africa a bit more. I’d also like to visit Gabon and the island jewels of Sao Tome and Principe.

Andre’s Malawi safari route map

Andre’s Malawi safari notes

Getting to Blantyre

According to Skyscanner, South African Airways, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines are the most common airlines that fly to Blantyre's Chileka International Airport.

South Africa offers eight flights per week to Blantyre every week from O.R. Tambo International Airport, which lasts for two and a half hours, while flights from Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport last four hours each, including one stop at Malawi's capital city, Lilongwe.

A flight from Ethiopia's Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to the Chileka International Airport will likely last for five hours.

Technology continues to embed itself in all aspects of our lives in ways we never thought possible. It comes as no surprise then that a passionate team headed by Val Thomas have compiled an impressive mobile app that makes it easy for users to identify both indigenous and alien plant species at the touch of a screen.   

TheTreeApp was launched in South Africa in September 2017

Forget scouring through botanical books and dictionaries, TheTreeApp is a useful and easy-to-use guide to South Africa’s abundant flora.

How does it work?

The App gives the user the ability to identify any tree via an interactive Smart Search procedure Intuitive and interactive technology is compatible with GPS functionality, which makes the search for a specific tree easier, even in the bush. TheTreeApp also comes with a wealth of educational information, maps, and images enabling you to engage with the environment during your safari adventure.

The TreeApp also comes with a wide variety of features such as satellite-interactive distribution maps. You can identify more than 1100 trees using these maps which help propel the App’s GPS function by interacting with GPS satellites. As such, locating certain trees is easier as opposed to the traditional referral or guessing methods.

TheTreeApp also comes with over 2200 images both displayed in pen and watercolour ink drawings painstakingly and lovingly illustrated by Joan Van Gogh and Penny Moraites.

An App for everyone

All information is stored inside TheTreeApp and as such no Wi-Fi is required for identification. It also uses plain English as well as 11 vernacular languages to describe various plant species. While TheTreeApp comes in handy for recreational purposes, it has also been well appreciated along professional circles to identify and locate multiple species of trees in South Africa within a radius of 12.5 kilometers.

MyTreeApp features beautiful illustrations

Out of the 1,100 tree species listed on TheTreeApp, 990 are indigenous while 136 are either invasive or noninvasive. They also come with distribution maps and a lot of comprehensive data The designers also added Info Hotspots to help you navigate and understand the information inside the App better.

Your favourites

You can also add your favorite trees and their GPS location using the My Tree feature. What's more, you don’t have to be well versed in scientific tree terminology to understand specific names thanks to a 700-word glossary embedded in TheTreeApp. You can also change the language (English/Botanical/Afrikaans) and grouping methods (Genera/Families) in the App’s settings.

TheTreeApp is a valuable piece of technology that has nature lovers excited about the future for plant identification in the country. At just under $35, the app is incredibly useful for safari enthusiasts looking for learn a little bit more about South Africa’s unique and valuable flora. TheTreeApp is available for Android and Apple users.  

You’ve finally booked that dream safari in Africa and as you touch down at your destination, you’re filled with trepidation, wonder and excitement for the trip of a lifetime. The sights and sounds of a foreign country can be overwhelming.

The truth is that there is a certain amount of risk involved in travel, regardless of global technology’s influence on how we traverse the globe. Most resorts and tourist destinations are safe enough, but anything can happen during a long vacation, and when they do, it’s good to have something that you can fall back on, and that’s what travel insurance policies are designed to do.

Whether it’s natural calamities, lost possessions or legal issues, a good travel insurance policy can protect you against all manner of emergencies. Here is a brief overview of what you can expect from the average travel insurance policy.

Lost luggage

Although this is relatively common, there really isn’t anything more annoying than having baggage lost or delayed during transit. Good travel insurance will protect you with a small allowance so that you can freshen up before your baggage finally arrives. If your luggage is stolen or damaged, this is also grounds for claiming from your travel insurance provider.

Delayed flights

Delayed flights are another travel inconvenience that can’t be predicted. Unusual weather patterns or an aviation emergency can leave travelers high and dry. If your airline cannot accommodate you during your transit, your travel insurance will sort out the problem. Use your allowance to get last-minute accommodation, toiletries or some food before you’re on your way again.

Medical emergencies

While medical emergencies don’t happen often, when they do it can be quite a shock. One doesn’t necessarily plan for this but sometimes it may happen to you. Illness or injury is a scary thing to happen while on safari and travelers need plenty of support in these cases. If you require hospitalization or expensive medicines, your travel insurance will have your back until you’re healthy enough to get back home.

Legal issues

Sometimes, a brush with the law in another country can happen. It’s often a good idea to book your African safari with the help of a safari expert so that they can inform you of the laws of another country. Accidents do happen and should you find yourself on the wrong side of the law, travel insurance can make or break a situation like this.

Money matters

Lost or stolen cash and credit cards is any traveller’s worst nightmare. If there is no bank representative in your destination, getting yourself back on track can be very challenging. The good thing is that travel insurance will help you get back in touch with your cash. Most embassies cannot help you with this matter so travel insurance is your best bet.

From weather-related accidents to unexpected cancellation fees, travel insurance is designed to protect you and your family from the pitfalls of long-destination journeying. A travel insurance policy may also be useful if you’re traveling together with a group. Assuming the policy also covers your companions, it can protect them against the same contingencies that you
are protected from.

While travel insurance is an additional expense, but is really worth it when you consider the overall cost of an African safari . Sometimes a little financial protection can be extremely handy should the unexpected happen.

It’s no secret that it takes a very passionate person to become a safari game ranger or guide in the African bushveld. These men and women work very hard to learn the secrets of the bush and some might argue that it takes a lifetime of learning and discovery before one can say they know anything about the flora and fauna of Africa.

Having a professional guide in the bush makes your whole safari experience an educational and safe one. 

We spoke to veteran game ranger Craig McFarlane, who’s lifelong fascination with the African bushveld has left an impression on all those who he has taught and guided over the years. As the Head of Guide Training & Activities for Elewana Collection in Tanzania and Kenya, Craig’s knowledge of the bush is impressive, with only a few guides having been trained at his level in Africa.

We spoke to Craig to find out his story, and what he thinks safari-goers should know about being a game ranger:

“As a boy growing up on the family farm in South Africa, my dream was always to work in the bush. I was fascinated by animals, big and small, wild and tame, and spent all my time learning about them. My father taught me the foundations of being a guide and I helped him with guiding clients,” Craig reminisces.

Craig has been a safari guide for more than 27 years

“The African bush is my home and it’s what I know best. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with people who have an interest in animals and wild places,” he explains.

Craig earned a number of qualifications during his career, including the FGASA Level III, SKS DG and Tracker II qualifications. After 27 years in the bush, he really knows his stuff. To be a great game ranger, he says, “One needs to be obsessively observant and have an inquiring mind.”

On his most dangerous wildlife encounter, Craig remembers a day when he was confronted by elephants while leading a group of safari travellers through the bush.

“We came across a matriarch elephant with her small calf and without warning, she immediately charged with full intent. I told my clients to get down on the ground and try to appear as non threatening as possible. Suddenly she stopped, only an arm’s length away and assessed us. When she realised that we would not do her calf any harm, she turned and left.

Believing the whole ordeal was over, we were about to continue our walk when a young bull elephant suddenly mock-charged us. With a lot of noise, flapping ears and shows of strength, he finally tired of showing off and left, leaving my clients terrified, but with a newfound respect for animals in the wild,” Craig remembers. 

This confrontation between this game ranger and elephant is similar to what Craig and his group must have encountered. Without Craig's knowledge of elephant behaviour and quick thinking, his encounter with a swaggy young bull could have meant disaster

Craig’s must-bring essentials for a memorable safari is a camera, binoculars, a comfortable pair of shoes and sunscreen. With wisdom he continues, “Have an inquiring mind, ask as many questions as you want and respect wild animals. This is their home and we are just visitors,” Craig advises.

Thank you to Elewana Collection for this interview and to Craig for his passion and dedication both out in the field and in training Africa’s next generation of elite game rangers.

This year’s National Geographic Travel Photography winners stunned yet again across three categories; Nature, Cities and People.

Be inspired by the top three Nature category winners:

First: Mermaid

Humpback whale off Kumejima Island, Japan

Reiko Takanashi

“I was fortunate to have encountered a humpback whale with her calf on my first day snorkeling near Japan’s Kumejima Island. Most of the time, the calf stayed close to her mom. At one point, the calf began jumping and tapping its tail on the water near us—it was very friendly and curious.

“Finally, the mother, who was watching nearby, came to pick up the calf and swim away. I fell in love completely with the calf and it’s very energetic, large and beautiful tail.”

Second: Flamingos take off

Lake Natron, Tanzania

Hao J

“Thousands of flamingos are seen taking off from the colorful Lake Natron in Tanzania. Before taking off, flamingos need to take a short run on water to build up some speed. At that moment, their long, red legs create a series of water ripples on the surface of the lake.

“Looking down from the helicopter, these ripple lines look like giant aquatic plants flowing in the water. This photo was taken from a helicopter.”

Third: Mars

Earth Pyramids of Platten

Brunico, South Tyrol, Italy

Marco Grassi

“These natural sand towers, capped with large stones, are known as the Earth Pyramids of Platten. They are situated in Northern Italy’s South Tyrol region. Formed centuries ago after several storms and landslides, these land formations look like a landscape from outer space and continuously change over the years and, more accurately, over seasons.

“This natural phenomenon is the result of a continuous alternation between periods of torrential rain and drought, which have caused the erosion of the terrain and the formation of these pinnacles. As the seasons change, the temperatures move between extremes and storms affect the area, pyramids disappear over time, while new pinnacles form as well.”

Full article and list of winners here.

“Growing up, I always had a fascination with nature. Instead of watching cartoons, I would spend my TV time watching National Geographic, wondering whether I would ever be able to get so up close and personal with the wild myself.”

_{Photographer of the month – Roberto Kruger} 

My name is Roberto Kruger. I was born in South Africa around 22 years ago, but I’ve been living in Namibia for most of my life.

I have had the amazing opportunity to be able to work in the same field as my hobby – photography.

_{Elephant sighting in Namibia | Photo Credits: Roberto Kruger} 

I started photography as a hobby when I was 15, and it has been a goal to make it my job since then. In addition to that, I do digital marketing as well.

Why did you choose to pursue a career as a photographer?

Photography has been a passion of mine for many years, and recently an opportunity presented itself for me to take it on in a more full-time capacity.

Why Namibia?

Namibia is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries I have ever visited.

The wildlife in Namibia and landscape scenes are unparalleled! It should be at the top of anyone’s list to visit.

What is your favourite subject to photograph and why?

My favourite subjects to photograph are animals, specifically big cats.

_{Powerful picture of a Lion in Namibia | Photo Credits: Roberto Kruger}

Big cats like leopards and lions are fascinating to observe in general, and that makes it all the more enjoyable to photograph!

If you could suggest one specific lodge in Namibia to tourists, which is your favourite and why?

Okonjima Nature Reserve, without a doubt. The game viewing is exceptional, you will have a good experience. Apart from that, the way that guests get treated is second to none.

If you would like to experience Namibian wildlife as well as Namibian hospitality, visit Okonjima! Or for more Safari Lodge options in Namibia, why not have a look at our recent article ” Best Safari Lodges in Namibia “.

_{Rhino spotting in Namibia | Photo Credits: Roberto Kruger} 

For more of Robertos stunning pictures and interesting stories, visit Roberto’s website Discover Namibia.

We got the fabulous opportunity to interview the Instagram Reel Queen, Karolina Norée. 

Karolina was born and raised in Sweden, but in 2018 she relocated to South Africa to pursue her ambition of working full-time in wildlife photography. 

_{Karolina Norée}

She is currently employed and residing at a game lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park, where she spends all of her spare time honing her photographic skills.

Besides being a full-time wildlife photographer, Karolina also has curated some great viral trends that have been populating social media.

_{Cute baby hyena | Photo Credits: Karolina Norée}

One of her most popular trends that went viral recently is the “Behind the scenes reel”, this reel is aimed to show the massive difference between wildlife photographs from behind the scenes compared to how the photographs turn out in the end (after editing and whatnot).

This trend attracted several photographers and ended up getting Karolina a whopping 2.3 million views.

Without further ado, we got to ask Karolina some questions that we thought might interest readers and these were her answers:

How did you get into travel blogging/writing?

 I got into travel photography through my love of wildlife and South Africa. 

_{Dangerous Stare | Photo credits: Karolina Norée}

I loved spending time in the bush looking for wild animals, and then to be able to capture magic moments with a camera was a huge plus!

What makes travelling to Africa different to travelling anywhere else?

 What makes travelling Africa so different is that there is just so much to see. 

_{Shy Baboon | Photo Credits: Karolina Norée}

Everything from culture and food, to incredible landscapes and wildlife, to beaches etc. there is honestly anything for anyone.

What is your best travel tip you always give people?

My best travel tip is to make sure you spend enough time in the place you visit, there is just so much to see that a couple of days is not enough.

If you could visit one more place in Africa, where would you go and why?

If I could visit one more place in Africa it would be the Ngorongoro crater because of the incredible wildlife you can see there.

Have any mishaps ever happened to you on the road? What was the most notable?

 A lot of mishaps have definitely happened while on the road. One time our car broke down in a small little town, and we had to spend about 10 days there waiting For it to be fixed. 

_{A broken King | Photo Credits: Karolina Norée}

That obviously took time out of our schedule so we were quite upset that we were going to have to skip a few planned stops to catch up. However, we ended up being able to explore the little town and the landscapes around it, which was absolutely incredible!

For more variety of Karolina’s stunning wildlife photography and Reels, check out her Instagram and Facebook accounts.