A selection of the best readers’ photographs submitted to the Getaway Gallery photo competition for July 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 R202 100, 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 Clint Ralph for ‘Baboon Bust-up’. Congratulations, Clint!
Take a look at the June 2017 gallery for more inspirational images.
Submit your images here
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- While diving at Rooney’s Reef in Sodwana, I chanced upon this colourful archway with schools of fish milling around. I got into position to take a pic that showed the diver, arch and fish when suddenly this tomato rock cod popped out from behind a school of sweepers, adding a nice touch of colour. -By Geoff Spiby, Hout Bay Nikon D7100, Nikkor 10,5mm f/2.8, ISO 200, f/8, 1/125 sec
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- I saw clouds building up and set out for the beach, knowing a good sunset was in order. When I arrived at Bloubergstrand, I noticed smog hanging over the city. I was a bit disappointed decided to go ahead and shoot anyway. I found that I had all the elements for this seascape set out perfectly: clouds, water movement, Table Mountain and rocks, with the front rock making an ideal leading line. I then had to wait patiently for the sun to light up the right waves. Back home, I decided a black and white conversion would show up the contrast in the scene best. – By Ilonde van Hoolwerff, Langebaan Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-105mm f/4L, ISO 50, f/22, 1,6 sec
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- In Rwanda, this dance is traditionally perfomed when welcoming men back from battle. I took this image from ground-level using an off-camera flash. – By Nelis Wolmarans, Cape Town Canon 1Dx, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II, ISO 1600, f/8, 1/2000 sec
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- This image was taken on the banks of the Chobe River in Botswana, where a group of baboons were fooling around. These two got into a little scrap, throwing dust with much fanfare but no harm done to either. – By Clint Ralph, Pretoria East Canon 1DX Mark II, Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II, ISO 1000, f/10, 1/2500 sec
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- I took this image from Observatory Ridge- the highest point in Johannesburg. It is a panoramic shot comprised of two sections, namely: The lightning section, which contains images blended into one shot to capture as many lightning strikes as possible, and the cityscape. I felt extremely lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to capture such an impressive storm and sunset over my hometown. – By Greg Giessing, Johannesburg Nikon D7100, Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8, ISO 100, f/11, 10 Secs (Lightning Shots) / 5 Secs (Cityscape)
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- Whilst leading a photo safari to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, I took this image of a black-backed mountain gorilla. – By Nelis Wolmarans, Cape Town Canon 1Dx, Canon 200-400mm f/4, ISO 2000, f/8, 1/250sec
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- This year (2017) has been one of the wettest years on record in Botswana- a welcome end to the years of devastating drought. As the rainy season takes ahold of the country, so do the floods. Water brings life to all, and surprises even the most well traveled safari goer with interesting animals. Pools of water settle in what was once dry and barren land, and aquatic life comes alive. Here, a giant African Bull Frog had made his new home in a shallow patch of water in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. With eyes just breaking through the water, it patiently waited for prey. These hardy amphibians wait underground for months (if not years) for just the right amount of rain before they emerge from their muddy lairs. – By William Steel, Maun Canon 7D Mark II, Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary, ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/2500 sec
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- Capturing the perfect leopard dismount has been something I have long dreamed of, and finally achieved. Here a male leopard jumps to safety from a female he had just finished mating with. I positioned the car as low as possible in order to get eye-level with these two leopards. Understanding their behavior, I knew I needed a fast shutter speed for the dismount and raised my ISO in preparation. As luck would have it the sun slightly filtered through the clouds just before they started to mate. – Calvin Kotze, Sabi Sands, Mpumalanga Nikon D800, Nikkor 70-300mm, ISO 360, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec
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- This image is of sunset over quiver trees. It was taken at the Fish River Canyon Lodge in Namibia. – By Kerri-Ann Eaton, Johannesburg Canon EOS 450D, Canon 55mm – 250mm, ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/25 sec
