A selection of the best readers’ photographs submitted to the Getaway Gallery photo competition for September 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 worth 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 Jeanne Abrahams for ‘In the Pink’. Congratulations, Jeanne!
Take a look at the August 2017 gallery for more inspirational images.
Submit your images here
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- I wanted to photograph some hot-air balloons, and knew I’d find them at Lake Heritage in the Cradle of Humankind. I flew my drone over this one for a unique composition. – By Marnix de Lorm, Johannesburg DJI Mavic Pro, FOV 78.8° 28 mm f/2.2, ISO 187, f/2.2, 1/100 sec
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- Driving up to Mata-Mata rest camp in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana, I noticed a lion under a tree near Craig Lockhart waterhole. It was late in the day, and sweltering. After a while, this beautiful animal walked over to drink. Then he looked up. I love the piercing intensity of his eyes. – By Braeme Holland, Cape Town Canon 7D Mark II, Canon 100-400mm II, ISO 500, f/6.3, 1/2500 sec
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- I sat by the lagoon in Walvis Bay, Namibia, early one morning watching the flamingos move back and forth as though they were in a dance. It was so peaceful. They have always been one of my favourite birds, and (except for the smell) it was the most fantastic and calming experience to see so many of them together. – By Jeanne Abrahams, Pretoria Canon 60D, Canon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 100, f/10, 1/320 sec
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- Deadvlei in Sossusvlei, Namibia, has been photographed extensively so I decided to approach it from a unique angle. Mist had rolled in early that morning, creating an eerie effect. I headed west and discovered a lower section of the vlei. From this vantage point, I was able to capture its cracked floor at eye-level, which resulted in what looks like a cross-section of this famous location . – By Michael Kolbé, Wynberg Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 24-105mm f/4, ISO 125, f/7.1, 1/200 sec
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- I noticed this Karoo prinia on a cone bush at Pearly Beach, but he evaded me at first. So I set up my camera and left it close by, and on the third day when he returned I managed to get my pic. – By Kevin Gillot, Robertson Canon 7D, Sigma 50-500mm, ISO 500, f/6.3, 1/1600 sec
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- The photograph of this flower was taken in the pond in front of the reception at Skukuza Camp. It was just after a shower of rain. – By Chris Colverd, Sabie Nikon D300, Nikon18-200mm, f/10, ISO 200, 1/100 sec
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- I took this close-up photograph of an elephant bull enjoying a dust bath in Kruger National Park. – By Annemarie du Plessis, Polokwane Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 70-300mm f/5.6, ISO 320, f/5.6, 1/250 sec
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- Sunset photos are a dime a dozen, but sometimes one may get something special. Here the sun is setting over the mountains outside Lüderitz, Namibia. The mountains can be seen from nearly 100km away. There is so much air in the way that the image brings to mind a Chinese silk painting. Local contrast adjustments were made, as well as a crop to wide format. – By Florian Breuer, Stellenbosch Canon 40D, Canon 70-200mm f/4, ISO 100, f/4, 1/100 sec
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- hilst driving through Rietvleidam Nature Reserve, I spotted a young African pipit hunting for a snack in the short grass next to the road. I stopped some distance away as there was decent light, and I had a long lens with teleconverter. The inquisitive pipit came closer and I managed a couple of close portraiture shots with clean out of focus background. I wanted a fast shutter speed in case the pipit decided to fly, so set a high ISO number. When photographing from a vehicle, I find that the GimPro door-mounted Gimbal head works better for me than a beanbag. – By Adolf Joubert, Tshwane Nikon D7200, Nikon 400 f/2.8 with a Nikon x2 Convertor, ISO 1250, f/8, 1/4000 sec
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- Every time one spends in the Kgalagadi presents new photographic opportunities. This picture was taken in the season when all the small ones were out of their nests or dens, and with parents who were feeding them or teaching them to hunt for themselves. In this case, the adult bee-eaters were feeding the juveniles who all waiting in turn to be fed. Sometimes they grasped opportunity and attacked mom or dad in order to be first! – By Johan Mocke, Brackenfell Nikon D5, Nikon 600 f/4, ISO 1250, f/5.6, 1/4000 sec
