Advertise on podcast: Nature Photography Secrets

One of the great photography myths is to NEVER shoot above 400 ISO.  But Lou and Julie see it differently, given the impressive upgrades in technology.  Do you know if you camera sensor is ISO invariant?  Do you know what ISO invariance means?   In this technical episode, Lou breaks down the DXO Mark sensor data for your camera system.  Learn what are the optimal settings for your system and how to get every drop of tech out of your camera by understanding the science. Most people don't understand or have never heard of ISO invariance so they stay stuck shooting only at one ISO, fully ignoring the latests developments in technology and post-production software.  It's quite possible you can be pushing your ISO's so much higher to gain precious shutter speed when necessary.  But are you? Lou and Julie see far too many photographers buying innovative high-end equipment only to keep using the same settings they did with lower quality gear.  Why?  Because most people don't understand the science behind their system and how to harness that technological power to improve their images. Listen to this episode and never wonder again about how to get the most out of your camera, the sensor and make optimal lens choices.  Stop limiting the use of that powerful technology you hold in your hands and start improving your results today.  

Have you ever wondered how well-known photographers seem to have a signature look to their images?  It's because the lens looks both ways.  What that means is how we are feeling, what we are thinking and what we are seeing all get embedded within the image. When we are fumbling with our settings, irritated for whatever reason or feeling that sublime excitement at nature giving us an epic show, it shows up in our images.  Lou and Julie have long been on a quest to help photographers be able to capture what they see. Understanding how the lens looks both ways will help you discover the signature look you want your photos to have.  Julie shares an uncomfortable experience she had with other photographers that impacted the quality of her photos because she let her emotions spill over. That is why it matters to be skilled at shooting the images that reflect what you are seeing and keep your cool.  Nature tells its own stories in very profound ways and this episode is about how to get out of the way of that and take world class images that showcase your personal view. For more info on safari's and photography mentorship, email [email protected]  

In this short episode, Lou and Julie break down why having a photography mentor makes the biggest difference in being able to capture what you actually see.  How working with someone in your unique style of photography will empower you in ways you could not have imagined.  Julie talks about her frustration and heart-break of not being able to take home images that reflected the incredible encounters she was having.  Lou and Julie talk about how their  travel relationship evolved into a mentorship program that Lou now offers exclusively. You will understand what skills and capacities you need to hone to avoid the frustration of missed shots and instead get world class images that feel like the tell the story you experienced. This episode is full of ideas about how to take your images to the next level and what to look for in a mentor should you decide that's an option you want to pursue. If you feel called, email [email protected] for more information.

Lou and Julie took a break to hone in on and clarify what is the big why for hosting this podcast.  In both of their respective personal journeys, they came to find they were on the same path but did not know it. Both of them have taken a big leap forward in their own photographic journey and wanted to understand what was happening.  It became clear to both of them that diving in deeper and by hitting reset, they could offer you even more value. Listen in as they explain they exciting things that have been transpiring behind the scenes.  Lou explains how knowing the big why makes all the difference in learning the proper skills and techniques to actually capturing what you see. Julie dives into the mystical side of knowing the big why and how it helps you stand out in a crowded world of photographers.  In addition, discover the new focus on conservation as a safari must and how giving back can make your images better. If you want to learn the spirit behind creating your own unique world class images, you will want to download this episode and share it with others. Both Lou and Julie are glad to be back at it after doing some soul searching and realignment to bring you the best of what they've got. They appreciate you and would love to hear from you.  DM them both on social media @LouCoetzerSA and @JulieSteelman  You can also reach out to [email protected] to book a trip.  

In the last year, mirrorless cameras have taken a giant leap forward. There are so many new features that enhance the photographer's ability to be more creative because the tools are more flexible.  Listen in as Lou and Julie break it down; sharing their field experience using two top of the line mirrorless cameras. They challenge you to think about why making this shift changes the nature of the way you shoot.  They encourage you to re-think the way you are shooting if you took your DSL recipe and simply applied it to your mirrorless camera.  There is so much more technology available at your finger tips, yet so many people are not using it.  Discover how everything with mirrorless cameras has changed and ways to use the tech to up level your shots.  Are you using the faster shutter speeds properly?  Do you have control over your frames per second and capturing shots you never could before?  Are you being creative with the advanced technology and trying shots you thought were impossible?  Do you know how to optimize the advanced tracking systems? This is a jam packed episode with information and details you will not want to miss.  Take your photography to the world-class level by learning how to fully utilize the tech advancements that are now available.

Did you know there is a science to what colors, sizes and display mediums that can enhance your sense of well-being? Join Lou and Julie for an exciting episode with Dr. Waldemar Bussiahn PhD, head of the photographic department at The Cape University of Technology in South Africa, as he shares his research findings on how photographic images create wellness. If you are finding it hard to decide which of your favorite images would help to create a healing environment, you won't want to miss this content-rich episode.

Did you know there is a formula for mastering the essential aesthetics that create pleasing images again and again? Join us for this informative episode with Dr. Waldemar Bussuahn who has a PhD in photography and is head of the Photographic Department at the Cape University of Technology in South Africa.     After being a soldier in a war, he turned to photography to improve his mental health. It become a life-long passion to discover what it was about certain images that had a positive image on others.  He shares his highlights from his journey everything you need to know to master the art of creating pleasing images. From landscape to wild life and beyond, Dr......... gives us the simple recipe for achieving success every time no matter what you are shooting.  We take the discussion further by talking about how to break traditional landscape photography rules and make the images your own.  In addition, how to apply the latest technology in your camera to create your own vision. An episode not to be missed on our journey of revealing the secrets to becoming a world class photographer in your own right.

Ready to take your bird photography to the next level?  You will love this conversation!  Lou and Julie talk about bird behavior, how to predict action before it happens so you can get the rare shots. The stories birds tell really push our technological skills and put them to the test.   Discover why birds are one of the most fascinating subjects in nature photography and how you can use that to your advantage.   Lou and Julie dive into how to best use your Autofocus system, including some of the newer systems, to ensure your shots are tack sharp. Understand what it means to cross-connect your focus points and set up your camera to nail birds in flight, even if you are an accomplished bird photographer. Lou and Julie reveal the simplest thing that will catapult your bird photography success and take it to the next level.  Laugh as Julie shares how she felt "bludgeoned into bird photography" and hear how she dramatically expanded her portfolio by including bird action shots. This episode will help you get more of what you want out of bird photography and understand how they add to the scene with mammals.  

Want to know the one secret to getting world-class action shots every time?   It's knowing the many ways to generate shutter speed.  In this episode, Lou and Julie bust some of the myths about shutter speed and how staying stuck in a rut with your settings is costing you great images. Lou and Julie reveal the trifecta for always having more than enough shutter speed for the rapidly changing nature scenes that constantly unfold in front of you.  If you are tired of missing shots, or wondering why your images are too soft, this episode will help you stop struggling with shutter speed. Learn why you need more shutter speed than you think. Julie and Lou share stories from real situations of how they easily captured those "one-and-done" moments that other photographers missed. Mastering the shutter speed game will change your photography with just a few adjustments to your mindset and your shooting recipe.

One of nature's fiercest predators isn't what you think!  Lou and Julie discuss how reptiles, especially Crocodiles and Caiman, make us wait, sometimes forever, for an action shot. Listen in and discover how patience and persistence play a vital role and become one of the "must-have" variables for any action photographer.   These fearsome animals play the waiting game better than any other creature. Yet, when they move into action, they give us a satisfying variety of action shots.  But are you ready?  Discover what you can do to be ready and how you can maximize your success with these incredible animals. Lou and Julie share their tricks for how to move between taking glorious portraits and fast action shots.  Understand how you can better look for images that not everyone else will see.  Join us for a delightful discussion on how patience and persistence can become your photographic superpower.  

This is a one-of-a-kind episode and a lively discussion that will have you get your camera out right away.  Wenzel Kotze, a successful businessman turned scholar, joins Lou and Julie for a discussion on how to get 500% more images out of every scene. Wenzel is so passionate about dissecting leadership principles found in nature that he created his own Master's degree around it and is currently working on his PhD.  He asks what if we took the ideal shooting recipe and turned it into a "systems thinking"  approach, would it make a difference to our photography? In this rousing episode, discover how to take everything you know about getting great shots and find 500% more from every scene and scenario using this innovative way of seeing and thinking. Lou, Julie and Wenzel get technical and personal as they walk you through exactly how you can get much more than what you thought out of your photography.

In this exciting episode, find out how you can walk with wild cheetahs and get the photographs of a lifetime while also being a part of the make-a-difference-for-cheetahs team.  Julie and Lou talk to Sarah Tompkins, a women putting conservation at the heart of her work to save the wild cheetah in South Africa.  Listen to the heart-warming journey that led her to establish a thriving game reserve that has single-handedly had the biggest impact on restoring healthy cheetah DNA around Africa.  You may shed a few tears, feel your heart melt and also learn what exquisite photo opportunities await you at this precious place on earth.  As Julie says, "there is nothing like getting a back stage pass and witnessing the wild life of cheetahs on  foot".  Join us for a deep conversation with Sarah Tompkins about the journey of creating the majestic Samara Game Reserve over the last 20 years and the Cheetahs who call the reserve home. https://www.samara.co.za