A selection of the best readers’ photographs submitted to the Getaway Gallery photo competition for April 2016.
Getaway Gallery is a prestigious showcase of the best photographs our readers have to offer. This year we bring you our biggest competition yet, with travel and equipment prizes to the value of over R160000.
Take a look at our March 2016 Gallery for more inspirational images.
April’s finalists
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- This shipwreck at Cape Agulhas presented the ideal subject for a sunrise image. Although it was overcast on this particular morning, I am still pleased with the result. – By Paul Zietsman, Sasolburg. Nikon D7000, Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G, ISO 100, f/16, 3 sec.
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- Secret societies have it. Mob bosses have it. Elephants have it. Secret Handshakes. My time spent at this underground concrete research bunker, at a very remote waterhole in Etosha National Park, will always bring back fond memories of really seeing and experiencing the daily lives of elephants up close and personal. Elephants are highly social creatures, and these two bulls were greeting each other, gently touching trunks. The giraffes across on the other side of the waterhole caught my eye and I tried to work them into the composition by shooting vertically. – By Morkel Erasmus, Secunda. Nikon D3s, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR-II, ISO-640, f/11, 1/800 sec.
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- This image was taken in my indigenous garden in Durban. Aloe cooperi were in flower and being visited by numerous insects. This little wasp decided to move to a developing floret to drink his nectar in peace, away from the masses trying to enter mature flowers. Photo was taken without a tripod. – By Lyle Ground, Durban. Canon 100D, Canon f/2.8 100mm Macro, ISO 400, f/3.2, 1/1250 sec.
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- I took this image while doing a tour of the battlefields near Rorke’s Drift and Fugitives Drift in Northern KZN. We were standing in an open field with our guide taking us through the battle of Isandlwana when these two children came walking by. I literally only had a couple of seconds to step out of the group and take a shot, capturing a moment of simple, rural life as they continued on their way. – By Alan Nixon, Durban. Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II, ISO 1250, f/6.3, 1/1000 sec.
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- This baboon mother was sitting with her little one on the road back to Shingwedzi rest camp, Kruger National Park, at sunset. After their hectic activity of the day, the troop was now quiet and provided good photo opportunities. I used my beanbag to stabilize my camera as I was using a relatively slow shutter speed because of declining light. – By Chris Jek, Parkhurst . Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 300mm f/2.8, ISO 640, f/4, 1/200 sec.
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- I was driving down the road and saw this small turn off at Schoenmakerskop. I just had to turn around and get the shot. – By Hendrik-Louis Boshoff, Port Elizabeth
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- This image was taken whilst on holiday in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. I was on a game drive and, being the day after Christmas, thought this hippo looked like he had really enjoyed his Christmas day (in a hung-over kind of way!). – By Denise Maiden, Johannesburg . Nikon D5200, Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3, ISO 640, f/6, 1/160 sec.
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- I took this several years ago with my first digital camera and remains one of my favorite moments and pictures. These elephants were crossing the road in front of me, east of Shimuwini Camp in Kruger National Park. I only had a moment to shoot two frames and was surprised by the results – their bodies and the trunk position was very favorable for an interesting composition! The slowness, grace, quietness and peace with which these beautiful large animals move always amazes me. – By Johannes de Wet, Potchefstroom. Canon 30D, Canon 300mm f/2.8 L, ISO 1000, f/5, 1/3200 sec.
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- The low light at sunrise cast a special spell over the dunes at Betty’s Bay. It was cloudy but I waited for the sun to appear in a gap in the clouds and caught this magic moment. The mountain backdrop adds to the drama and the row of Sea pumpkin (Arctotheca populifolia) formed a beautiful arch and an attractive leading line. – By Johan Hosten, Pretoria. Canon 6D, Canon 16-35mm, f/13, ISO 400, 1/400 sec.
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- I took this picture from a hide in Pilanesberg National Park. The rhino came so close to the hide that I decided to shoot for the reflection only. This picture has not been cropped, but just put upside down. – By Chris Jek, Parkhurst . Camera model: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 100-400mm f4.5/5.6, ISO 1250, f/5.6, 1/250 sec.
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- The Leaf-tailed gecko is one of the most iconic species endemic to Madagascar. Also known as “King of Camouflage”, it is almost impossible to find it when it is sleeping on its favourite branch. To get a different perspective I used a 15mm macro and shot from underneath the animal. – By Johan Siggesson, Malta. Nikon D810, Laowa 15mm f/4, ISO 1000, f/4, 1/80 sec.
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- The Ankarana sportive lemur is endemic to the northern areas of Madagascar. These animals are nocturnal and predominantly arboreal, but are often found hiding in their tree hollows surveying the surrounding area during the day. – By Johan Siggesson, Malta. Nikon D810, Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII, ISO 320, f/5.6, 1/400 sec.
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- This image was taken at Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. I had a longer lens on my camera, which was ideal for taking portrait shots. I was lucky enough to get this shot with the leopard looking up. – By Francois Loubser. Canon 7D, Sigma 500mm f/4.5, ISO 1250, f/7.1, 1/1000 sec.
