We all hear about the mighty Chobe River as a great destination for photographing wildlife and birds, which I mentioned in a previous blog post. What if told you that I rate it as one of the best kept secrets when it comes to “Wide Angle” lens…hmmm thought so!

Here are a few simple ideas and images to inspire you to join me on an awesome expedition to this destination.

Chobe Fire Sky

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Shot Information

Handheld from a boat.

Canon 5D MK III | 16-36 mm F2.8 MK II @ 16 mm | F8 | ISO 800 | 1/160th | EXP Comp +2/3 | Zeiss CPL Polariser.

Single Exposure ISO pushed up to allow for slightly higher shutter speed for my shaky paws. Post processing in Lightroom 4 with light graduated filter added on top third to balance the exposure.

Fish Eye Views

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Shot Information

Handheld from a  boat.

Canon 5D MK III | 15 mm Fish Eye F2.8 MK I @ 15mm | F11 | ISO 640 | 1/1000th | EXP Comp +2/3.

A creative tool and not for all photographers. I love my fisheye (another time more details on this). I wanted a unique point of view/vista to let the viewer feel as if he is sitting on the boat with me and enjoying the last of the early morning light. Post processing in Lightroom 4 with basic editing.

Chobe Big Sky – Monochrome Silver

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Shot Information

Handheld from a  boat.

Canon 5D MK III | 16-36 mm F2.8 MK II @35mm | F10 | ISO 100 | 1/125th | EXP Comp +2/3 | Zeiss CPL Polariser.

This was shot with the intent of trying to convey the scale of the river and the African sky. Using a subject which is large in reality but small in the frame should create this. Post processing in Lightroom 4 with light grad filter added on the top third of the image, to balance the exposure of the bright clouds. A grad filter was also used on the bottom 5th of the image to darken the water section to create contrast. I have developed my own monochrome preset as a base which i modify as needed.

Chobe Traveller

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Shot Information

Handheld from a boat.

Canon 5D MK III | 16-36 mm F2.8 MK II @16mm | F 8 | ISO 500 | 1/400th | EXP Comp +2/3 | Zeiss CPL Polariser.

Local villagers use this waterway for many things, such as to check the fishing nets and move goods. Including them in the scene can make for interesting compositions. Post processing in Lightroom 4 with basic tweaks and changes only.

Elephant Bay

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Shot information

Handheld from a house boat while docked at Elephant Bay on the the Namibian side.

Canon 5D MK III | 16-36 mm F2.8 MK II @35mm | F10 | ISO 100 | 1/125th | EXP Comp +2/3 | Zeiss CPL Polariser.

What a place and backdrop to have a quiet cold one on the house boat. Opportunities abound with any focal length. Post processing in Lightroom 4 with a light grad filter added on the top third of the image to balance the exposure of the bright clouds. Here again, monochrome is my personal choice as it fits the theme I was looking for during the adventure .

The River

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Shot Information

Handheld from a boat.

Canon 5D MK III | 16-36 mm F2.8 MK II @16mm | F 8 | ISO 800 | 1/400th | EXP Comp +2/3 | Zeiss CPL Polariser.

A beautiful and serene place to relax and have a quiet moment

I hope you found some insight into making a wide angle part of your kit on this super destination, and I would appreciate your comments and feedback. Keep chasing that perfect single exposure and capturing it, one frame at a time.

Peace n Light – AA