A selection of the best readers’ photographs submitted to the Getaway Gallery photo competition for August 2017.
Getaway Gallery is a prestigious showcase of the best photographs our readers have to offer. We have exciting prizes to be won this year to the value of over R202100, from equipment through to a photographic safari in Botswana.
Each month, readers can vote online for their favourite image of the month. Voting for this gallery is now closed and votes have been tallied.
The winning Image of the Month goes to Annemarie du Plessis for ‘Colour Attack’. Congratulations, Annemarie!
Take a look at the July 2017 gallery for more inspirational images.
Submit your images here
- Driving up to Etosha Pan I came across this mighty elephant grazing alone. It was aware of my presence but let me stay to capture this image. It seemed like he had been painting himself with war paint – perhaps he was to go up against a bigger bull later that day. Elephants spray themselves with mud, dust and sand as a preventative measure against the harsh African sun, but this particular beast was a bit more creative. – By Michael Kolbé, Wynberg Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 70-200mm LII, ISO 125, f/20, 1/125 sec
- I spent three hours watching the city and shooting from the top of the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg. I was almost finished when I spotted this family sharing an ordinary moment…150 meters above the ground. The vision of the city and its chaotic urbanization sprang to my mind. – By Yann Macherez, Cape Town Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 70-200 f/4, ISO 800, f/11, 1/160 sec
- I recently spent some time at Hole in the Wall, Transkei. It was the most surreal experience to emerge from the coastal forest and be met with the sight of this immense rock formation. After standing and taking it all in for a while, I began walking around and looking for a good composition. I found this scene and set up my tripod next the Mpako River. I chose to go for one long exposure, streaking the stars in the night’s sky as the earth rotated. – By Kim Bouchier, Mtunzini Nikon D800, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8, ISO 160, f/2.8, 1749 sec
- It was full moon in the Namibian Richtersveld, near Noordoewer. Usually I shoot with star trails aimed south, so as to get a full circle in the trails. I have never done an image aimed north and was curious as to what I will get. The shot was done in full moon light, which was the only light present. I took 80 exposures and stacked them using Advanced Stacker Plus in Photoshop. – By Pierre Labuschagne, Somerset West Canon 7D, Sigma 10-20 mm, ISO 100, f/3.5, 60 sec
- A troop of vervet monkeys settled in the shady trees around our tent in Mpila Camp, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. I approached slowly to get as close as possible without disturbing the mother and her young. Soon I had all the youngsters’ attention. – By Anna-Carina Nagel, Hoedspruit Canon 7D Mark II, Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L, ISO 500, f/5.6, 1/250 sec
- Lilac breasted rollers fighting close to the road in Kruger National Park. First we heard the noises, and then spotted the fighting couple in a tree nearby. – By Annemarie du Plessis, Polokwane Canon 1Dx Mark II, Canon 70-200 f/2.8, ISO 1250, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec
- The Bushmen struggle to keep their traditions and way of living alive in the Kalahari, but there are still some people that fight for their community. ‘Together we are stronger’, Barbara said to me, holding her grand-uncle. Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 100, f/4, 1/1250 sec
- This leopard was stalking impala. It stood up on its hind legs to get a better view. – By Trevor Barnett
- This little quiver tree has a very special place in my heart. It stands all on its own in the middle of nowhere. I stumbled upon it while I was walking in the area near Noordoewer in Namibia. The absolutely barren landscape makes it one of my favourite places in the world. It almost feels like a different planet. I got lucky that day: the cloud cover made for spectacular contrast between the white of the clouds and the blue sky, with the rocky foreground and barren mountains as a backdrop! – By Pierre Labuschagne, Somerset West Canon 7D, Canon 24-105mm, ISO 100, f/4, 1/1600 sec
- This photo was taken in Botswana in the late afternoon. My plan was to take a photo of the sun setting behind the beautiful, old camelthorn trees. While I was working on my composition, chaos broke loose when a pack of resident wild dogs began hunting a male impala. The impala ran right into my photo and yellow-billed hornbills scattered into the camelthorn trees. I dedicate this photo to my friend Merlinda Lotter, who has passed away – By Cathe Roets, Marble Hall Canon 7D Mark II, Canon 24-105 f/4 L, ISO 640, f/5, 1/800 sec
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