World Image Issue 37 October 2016

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National and Regional Management 

Gordon Longmead - England - CEO 

Peter Hogel - Uganda - Deputy CEO 

Scott Hurd - Namibia 

Tom Coetzee - South Africa 

Paul Welch—Australia 

Steve Cook - USA 

Robert Murray - Scotland 

Tina Andreasson - Sweden and Mexico 

Jack Glisson - Kentucky USA 

Rodger Lee - Steam Punk Events 

Contents:- 

4 A Study in Greyscale - Structure by Alan Griffiths 

6 Greyscale verses Black and White verses Mono 

7 Macro Magic - Close-up and Closer 

8 An Interview with Photographer Louise Bradt 

12 Kabaka’s Lake, Ugandaa - Ben Oleni Ntale 

14 A Splash of Colour by Tony Sparkes 

16 The Close Up World 

18 Freebee or Not to Freebee? That is the question. 

20 Travel Photography – Snaps or Images by Geoff Bowers 

22 Gardening - The Challenge of the Attention Seekers 

26 Photo Spot - Robert Murray 

28 Fire and Burning and some common Trees of the Kruger. Ian Bales-Smith 

34 Wildlife Borneo - Another Day in Paradise - Sabah Reef by Gary Bridger 

36 Photospot 

© Please remember that all articles and images published in this magazine are copyright protected 

Cover picture - Tiger by Gordon Longmead 


Picture by Matthew (A true photographer, he could not resist) 


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One aspect of photography has always interested me 

and that is the differences in interpretation of the 

basic styles of photography and its effects. 

So here we have my own interpretation of the 

effects as I saw them , or at least remember them. I 

have included the original colour image as a 

reference, the rest are digitally modified to as close 

an approximation as possible to my memories. 

Soon we had the 286 shades of grey which gave us 

the true greyscale pictures. Exposure meters were 

already set to 18% grey which gives us the ‘perfect’ 

exposure. 

This picture shows how the camera sensor sees the 

colour image … in greyscale. 

The first images I ever remember seeing were called 

Soot and Whitewash. There was no grey in the 

picture. This was how photography started out back 

in the 1860’s and how my father introduced me to 

photographic processing in the darkroom. 

As time went by the advances in film and paper 

technology meant that the intermediate colours in a 

picture could be recorded in shades of grey, 

although they still retained much of the soot and 

whitewash aspect as only a few shades of grey were 

accessible. 

Mono used to mean any of the three styles already 

mentioned, but lately it has come to mean any image 

produced in shades of one colour. 


Macro Magic 

Close-up and Closer 

Agate Rock by Georgene Bergstrom 

Baby Pine Cones by Georgene Bergstrom 

Trio (above and right) by Peter Hogel 

By Martin Clarke 


An Interview with Photographer Louise Bradt 

In light of our development of the magazine I managed to squeeze some time from her busy schedule to 

interview Photographer and volunteer Fire-fighter Louise Bradt. Louise has been a member of the Peoples 

Photographic Society since November 2013 which qualifies her as one of the founder members and a 

society stalwart. 

As many people move around as they progress through life, I asked Louise “What part of the World do you 

originate from and where are you now?” 

I was born and raised in Congleton, Cheshire, England, but now live in NW Arkansas in the US. My 

husbands job brought us to the States in 2011, and we started out in a Los Angeles suburb which I hated. 

Thankfully he was head-hunted by Wal-Mart and we made the decision that rural NW Arkansas was a much 

better place to bring up 2 teenage boys – so we moved in December 2012, and hubby managed to escape 

Wal-Mart after 12 months (phew) 

As we all need to begin somewhere I asked “What made you start out in Photography?” 

Not sure really, I remember as a kid just loving taking photographs at silly angles and of people when they 

least expected it. It progressed from there really. I guess I didn’t really start to take it more seriously until 

around 2006 when I got my first digital camera though. 


“I am always interested in what equipment we started out with, what was your first camera or what were 

your first cameras?” 

The first camera I remember owning was a little instamatic 110, then I had no camera for the longest time 

and then I was lucky to have one of the first Sony Cybershot point and shoot camera’s. Eventually I found 

my way to Nikon with a D40, which I still own, then a D90 and now I have a D610 and now generally use a 

D4s, it’s awesome! 

“Ok, so you are out on a countryside walk with your D4s, what would be your favourite or preferred lens to 

be using?” 

On a countryside walk at the moment I would take my 24-70mm f/2.8. It is the most versatile lens I have. 

“Have you done wedding photography and on a shoot such as weddings or parties, do you prefer to be the 

main or the candid photographer?” 

No I haven’t and I never intend to – that is something I plan to leave to the stress junkies! I prefer candid to 

posed images so at parties and events I would always be the candid photographer. 

“Some people have a studio setup either at home or as a professional studio, how about you, do you prefer 

studio or natural photography?” 

I do have a studio setup, I have Bowens lighting but also a Profoto D1 strobe, but natural photography is 

always my preference. 

“How often do you try and get out to take pictures, and do you make special photographic trips?” 

I usually have my camera with me – you never know what 

you might see and where you might see it. I have not made 

any special photographic trips. I take photographs of 

wonderful places we visit, but have never worked it the other 

way around. Of course if the Rogers Fire Chief consents to 

let me retry my project with the Rogers FD, I will be 

making special trips to go and hang out at the various fire 

departments around the city. 

“When on holiday, do you just take holiday pictures or also 

look for ‘specials’ from a photographic viewpoint?” 

I am always looking for the best angle/vantage point for a 

shot. If I am taking snaps, I use my phone camera. 

“Photographers have a love hate relationship to post 

processing, what extent do you use it?” 

I would love to say that I never post process, but that would 

be a lie. I try to keep it to a minimum by getting my shot as 

clean as a I can when I take it, but there is usually a little 

tidying up, here and there. 

“What software do you prefer to use?” 

I am a Photoshop lover and have been since the days of Photoshop CS3. 


“In light of the current trends, do you consider yourself to be a professional, ProAm, or Amateur?” 

Hmmmm…..I try not to label myself….So much I have learned so much still to learn – always a new 

adventure to follow……I will say ProAm because I know a lot more than some and way less than some 

too…..I am certainly not arrogant enough to think I know it all ! 

“How would you describe yourself as a photographer?” 

I see myself as an Adventurer when it comes to photography. I have developed a lot of skills over the years 

but there is always more to learn and to explore, so it is like a giant adventure I am on, always seeking to 

improve and discover new and exciting things! 

“What journey did you take to get the style you adopt today”? 

I am still on the journey…I have a passion for contrastly 

black and white portraiture this much I know, and huge 

ocd’s about horizons being straight, and I have a keen 

eye for specks of ‘stuff’ that shouldn’t be on a finished 

image, and once you see you can’t unsee again! But as 

for a specific style, I don’t think I have one. 

I can tell you that I am never going to be the person 

producing those overly exposed wedding images that 

people love so much, and I am never going to be the 

person you come to when you want a photographer to 

take 20lbs off you…. 

I guess my style is ‘real life’ if I have to put a label on it…I love people, as they are, warts and all – to me 

that’s character and photographing people which is what I do most of, is all about finding that character and 

bringing it out. 

“So what sort of things give you inspiration when looking 

for your images and what would be your ultimate 

project”? 

I am inspired by the world and its occupants around me, 

overloading my senses! My ultimate project is one I 

secured a year ago and then did nothing with! I am a 

Volunteer Fire-fighter. Here in the US the are approx. 1.1 

million fire-fighters – approx. 300,000 career firefighters 

(paid) and approx. 800,000 volunteer firefighters. 

The paid department that my department is attached to – Rogers Fire Dept is one of only 64 depts. in the 

whole of the US to have achieved an ISO rating of 1 (the highest possible). I contacted the Fire Chief at 

Rogers FD to ask his permission to write an article on their amazing achievement and to follow the firefighters 

around photographing them doing what they do best, putting out fires… 

As a fire-fighter myself, this meant that I would be able to get myself into positions that photographers are 

not normally permitted to get themselves into because of the obvious dangers involved. This could have 

been a career changing event for me. I let my realisation of the scale of the task and my fear as a female 

having to hang out through long nights with male shift units stop me from even starting the task. 


Now I am in a position where I am going to have to re-contact the Fire Chief, eat humble pie and ask him if 

we can start again on this project – I have no clue if he will say yes. I can only hope that the reputation I 

have built for myself as a volunteer fire-fighter within the county (people do talk about me, including the 

fire marshal), will stand me in good stead and persuade him to give me a second chance! 

“If you could only take one image and never use a camera again what would be the subject?” 

A fire-fighter exiting a burning building, tired and exhausted, but successful in his task…It is a truly 

awesome sight and to capture it perfectly would be a dream. 

“Do you have a favourite genera if so what?” 

I love to photograph people, but I am always exploring new ideas and subjects. I also love photographing 

wildlife and have recently started to take an interest in landscape 

“Have you ever taken courses on photography or are you self taught”? 

For the most part I am self taught. I have taken a few course more recently to confirm to myself that what I 

believed was correct is actually correct and I am pleased to say, I have not taught myself anything wrong, 

which is always a relief. 

I did consider doing a Masters in Digital Photography, but I was advised by several very successful 

photographers that with my skill set it wasn’t really going to ‘do’ anything for me other than drain our bank 

account. 

“What is the most satisfying image you have ever 

taken”? 

There are two – this one is what we call the 

Shakespearean shot of my husband Steven and the 

other is of a fellow fire-fighter, Ed Dawson.. 

Both these images have achieved most acclaim on 

various photographic websites etc which is always 

good for the ego 

“What was the most difficult image you 

have taken”? 

The most difficult shot I have ever taken so 

far was probably the landscape shot I did 

from the front of our home at dawn on New 

Years Day in 2013. 

I was out in the freezing cold for what 

seemed like hours before I got what I 

believe is the best landscape shot I have 

taken to date. 


“What was the most dangerous situation you have placed yourself in to get the picture”? 

Burning buildings are pretty dangerous – In full turnouts it is easy for me to take my camera a lot closer 

than is safer for it, rather than is safer for me. 

I can also been seen dangling off the side or back of our bowrider out on the lake taking photographs of my 

son or hubby while they are water-skiing…That can be a little hairy at 40mph – especially if you hit a wake 

or something! 

“Do you admire any particular photographer and why”? 

Alan Shapiro – he produces the most stunning black and white portraiture I think I have ever seen. 

Clay Patrick McBride – the man is totally nuts, creates some wacky images but he goes with what he feels 

inside and people love that. The guy photographs lots of superbly famous people and I admire his ability to 

stay true to himself. 

When people used to tell me that I would have to conform to what society wanted if I was going to be 

successful, I would look at Clays work and say “nah, I don’t think so…I think being Lou Bradt works pretty 

well” 

“Do you operate a business relevant to the art of photography”? 

I am currently working on building Lou Bradt Photography…..softly softly catchy monkey as my Mum 

always says….I am getting there. 

Rooster Tail by Louise Bradt 


Kabaka’s Lake is situated within a few kilometers of 

the city centre in Kampala the capital city of 

Uganda. 

Although the lake has no major tributaries, the water 

levels remain constant throughout the year. 

This lake was dug by hand on the orders of King 

Mwanga II from 1885 to 1888 to create a channel 

wide enough for him to travel by boat to Munyonyo 

where he had built another palace at Mulungu hill 

near Lake Victoria. 

There are two excavated lakes in East Africa, 

Kabaka’s Lake is a beautiful with two islands in the 

middle of it and has developed into a sanctuary for 

many rare aquatic animals and plants. 

Kabaka’s Lake is one of the biggest lakes in Africa 

covering approximately two square km and 200 feet 

deep. 

Although history taints him as the worst of the 

Kabaka's (Kings) Buganda Kingdom ever had, 

especially for execution of early foreign religions 

converts dubbed the Uganda Martyrs. 

However, Kabaka (king) Danieri Basammula- 

Ekkere Mwanga II Mukasa is the reason this 

beautiful lake exists! 


Malaysia and the Long-tailed Sibia (Heterophasia picaoides) 

again. This time a vertical 'portrait' version 

I took in South Africa a while ago, a male Marico Sunbird 

(Cinnyris mariquensis) these colourful birds are found in 

Southern and Eastern Africa. 

I captured this fleeting glimpse of an adult male Black-throated sunbird (Aethopyga saturata) whilst on our 

recent trip to Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Malaysia. 


The Forked-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) also has a 

striking red eye similar to the Long-tailed Sibia from 

Malaysia posted a few days ago. The Drongo was taken in 

South Africa's Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. 

A nice portrait showing off the gorgeous colours of the 

beautiful little Violet eared Waxbill (Uraeginthus granatinus) 

at a waterhole in the Western Cape, South Africa 

A juvenile Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus 

saularis) captured at the bird bath at Stephens Place 

( ReallyWild Place) Fraziers Hill, Malaysia. 

Malaysia and another bird species, nothing as colourful as 

before but a new species for me, I like that red eye.. The Long 

-tailed Sibia (Heterophasia picaoides) Wiki says its 

distributed through central Nepal and North east India, 

Bhutan, Southern China, Laos, Malaysia (where I saw it), 

Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as Sumatra. 

It is found in evergreen forests, oak and pine forests, 

secondary growth, scrub with large trees and forest edge 

habitats 


Our recent Malaysia trip....Another view of my Purple Femur Tarantula (Coremiocnemis hoggi) coming out of her h 

in the bank. A night walk under taken under external 'flash' so warmed it up a little.. Tony Sparkes 

Stinkhorn, one of those close-ups that you do not want to 

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get the nose close up 

Page 

to. 

16 

Gordon Longmead 

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Dragon fly taken at my local RSPB reserve. - Rodger Lee 

And some you just can’t resist Gordon Longmead 


Freebee or Not to Freebee? That is the question. 

And a very good question it might be, if it was not so silly. 

So let us begin with the arguments. 

Allowing a magazine to use your pictures without payment is not acceptable. This is fine if you are a 

recognised professional but it needs to be remembered that most magazines do not accept anything other 

than commissioned pictures. If they commission them they need to be paying for them, no question. 

So in the very unlikely event that a mainstream ‘for profit’ magazine contacts an amateur to use one of their 

pictures for their articles, should they pay? Yes they should, after all the magazine is only interested in 

making profits and it is only right that the photographer should share in those. The only reason they contact 

the amateur is probably that they can’t get a suitable professional image before their deadline. 

Allowing a magazine to use your pictures without payment is damaging to the photographic profession by 

depriving photographers of an income. Really? Less than 0.01% of photographers are true professionals, the 

vast majority are aspiring amateurs, and those really good amateurs are by definition not in the photographic 

business and thus not professionals. 

What this argument is really stating is that no one should offer their images to a magazine because that 

0.01% might lose their income. Since as stated previously, most magazines commission photographers, that 

aspect is very unlikely. Fact is that if we are expecting to get paid for our pictures we are no longer enjoying 

it as a hobby. 

It is this last fact that is the most important of all. As a hobby or amateur photographer, the greatest thrill of 

all is to see your image in print or winning a competition. As a Professional, competition is irrelevant unless 

it is of global interest and then only as a means of getting noticed. Getting into print is the pay check, like 

the commissions, it is where your money comes from. 

So I will leave this section with a thought for you to ponder, if a mainstream magazine publishes an 

amateurs picture, paid or otherwise, over yours as a professional, it means theirs was better suited to the 

task. Can you do better for the next time? 

Now let us focus on the second part of the task. 

If you are one of the 5000 (yes it varies) reading this magazine, then you are doing so for free. If you belong 

to the Society, you do so for free. Those who are supporting the magazine with articles and pictures are 

doing so because they believe in the magazine. They also believe that although it is unpaid, it showcases 

their work, it encourages others to realise that they can also produce the quality images and not be put off by 

the ‘well they are professional, they should be good’ attitude. While we do have the support of 

professionals, most of what is on these pages is written and produced by ordinary people with ordinary 

cameras and even camera phones. The most important part of the whole statement is that ‘THEY BELIEVE 

IN THE MAGAZINE’. 

If those supporting the magazine or the society suddenly wanted to get paid for their images and stopped 

sending them in, it would cease to exist. But perhaps that is what the mainstream magazines want, perhaps 

they are realising that if magazines like this one were allowed to flourish and cater for the ordinary 

photographer, their own empires might take a hiding. 


At this point we should also perhaps look at the other side of the arguments that are getting lost in the hype 

about the professionals as previously discussed. 

We are all in this to be noticed, either by those who just enjoy seeing the pictures and images of places they 

will probably never be able to visit, our piers who offer constructive comment, (destructive comment is not 

worth anything and only shows the makers poor intelligence), and possibly, just possibly, by those looking 

to buy images for mainstream press (he he) or for their walls. 

For the people involved in safari or travel businesses, showing pictures on the internet in chat rooms and 

other social media is not only welcomed, but actively encouraged, why? Because those images are a shop 

window to show others what they might see if they visit. My own visit to Uganda was inspired by the 

images presented to me by Peter Hogel of Eden Adventures (who happens to be vice-chairman of this 

magazine and of the peoples Photographic Society). Would I have considered going there otherwise? No, 

my home range is the Alps. 

Beyond the kudos there is no other reward for showing our pictures to those who enjoy or our piers, most of 

us would be quite pleased if someone thought our pictures good enough to warrant copying from the 

internet for personal use. 

Most internet images are low resolution and not really any good for commercial use. My own are generally 

about 1mb and many are 500kb neither of which are much use above postcard size, or A4 for the 1mb files. 

If you want to upload 5mb or larger files then the fault and the risk is yours. Many sites reduce those files to 

thumbnail files, others have a built in defence against general copying although even that is not totally 

secure. You could apply a copyright mark but poorly done it will spoil the picture and viewers will simply 

skip past them. Meta Data is no protection as it can be removed by anyone with processing software. 

But what of those who take your image from the internet and use them for profit making purposes? Or 

worse still, take your image and represent it as their own and offer it for sale? 

That is both illegal and immoral. The worst culprits are the Chinese and there is nothing you can do about it 

until the products they make from your pictures hit the open market place. Then you can take action against 

the sellers, unfortunately those people probably have no idea that the images on the products are stolen. 

There has over recent years been a number of incidents of this type of theft that can and should be dealt with 

the most severity, and that is when a person steals an image and then claims it as their own. It is 

unimportant if that is done for commercial purposes or just personal credit, it is not acceptable. 

It is my view that such people should be ejected from any form of photographic society or club, banned 

from entering any photographic competition, and, in the case of formally recognised ‘professional’ 

photographers, should also be rejected as a photographer by all media outlets. On a strictly personal level I 

would also turn my back on them in my social life. 

Whilst we applaud the actions of the professional photographic bodies for taking actions against those 

stealing images for profit and kudos, we must speak out against the fear such actions are generating in the 

millions of photographers who just post to be seen and for others to enjoy what they do. 

If someone wishes to buy your image for their home or office, or a mainstream ‘for profit’ magazine wants 

to publish your image, they will contact you and pay you for the high quality picture file. The magazines 

only want files of 20mb or more, and anything less than 5mb will not put a good image on the office wall. 

As there are no pictures I doubt anyone will take the time to read this article properly, but it has to be said. 

If you made it this far … well done. 

Gordon 


I love to travel and I love taking photographs, but sometimes I have 

to choose which I’m doing. 

To state the obvious travel means moving from place to place. 

Often photography involves lingering in one place. It seems to me 

the trick is combining both. So snap while moving and linger for the 

images? Well yes that’s what I try to do. 

The great advantage of travelling with 

digital cameras and large memory cards is 

that I can shoot lots of frames, so I do. 

Deleting once I have them on the computer 

is easy. All I keep are the memory shots, 

the ‘been there seen it’ ones. 

The problem I find is which lens to put on 

the camera. My best lenses are Olympus 

Pro ones. 

7-14mm ultra wide angle of St Marks square un edited - verticals not 

corrected 

I have a wide angle 7–14 mm, a 12–40 mm, and a 40-150mm 

with a 1.4 extender. These all offer a fast aperture of F2.8 or F4 

for the long one with the extension fitted. 

It often seems to be a 

rule that which ever one 

I have on I wish I had a 

different one fitted. This 

is especially true when 

outdoors. 

12 - 40mm wide angle at Singapore's Gardens 

by the bay watching the light show 

I either can’t get close 

enough or far away 

enough. My usual 

solution is to fit my 15- 

150 travel lens. 

15 - 150mm Monkey and baby in Gibraltar 


This is a lower cost lens with apertures of F4 

to F5.6. It is also a lot lighter in weight so 

good when touring around and getting in and 

out of vehicles. 

This lens is great for snaps and some serious 

stuff, but does not quite have the clarity of the 

Pro lenses, nor is it so good in low light. 

When I go away in the car I can easily take all 

my stuff. There’s my older camera, tripod and 

other lenses I accumulated over the past few 

years plus the bits and pieces like filters, 

cleaners, bean bags etc. It’s when I fly that I 

have to make the decisions. 

15 - 150mm intermediate action shot 

The Kilograms soon add up. One camera – with the 

12-40mm fitted (good for snaps in the airport and 

not to bulky) tripod, travel lens, ......... Damn it, pack 

it all, and take fewer clothes. Makes sense to me if 

not to the rest of the family – and I am the senior. 

Then there’s the problem of changing the lens on the 

moving locations. Crowded places, wind blowing 

the dust or its raining all making things difficult. 

Other people on a tour move on and I’m getting left 

behind. So my trusty travel lens does more work. 

I get the snaps for the memories and they are only 

just for me and the family. When we stop I can find 

time to change the kit and take a few minutes to 

shoot some different stuff. 

40-150mm pro long lens with 1.4 extender zoomed out to get a 

view of the bottom of Grand Canal 

This does make for some rushed lunches and accusations of being unsocial but what the heck – I’m just an 

eccentric old guy. 

Geoff Bowers. 

So just to give an idea of my 15-150 travel lens, the first image is zoomed to 14mm, 

then out to 25mm for the second and finally I zoomed out to 150mm for the dragonfly. 


Gardening - The Challenge of the Attention Seekers 

Gordon Longmead 

When working in the garden as a photographer on a 

warm summers day, it is sometimes difficult to focus on 

the task in hand due to the constant demands of the 

attention seekers. 

I do not refer to the other members of the family or even 

intrusive neighbours, but more specifically to the 

flowers, birds and insects that predominate the garden. 

With a few exceptions, they are going about their 

normal business of life so why are they making the 

demands? Well try digging the garden with a spade in 

one hand and a camera in the other and you will know 

what I mean. 

ISO 250 F8 and 1/400th sec FL 300mm 

While working I see the beauty intruding on my task and wish I had the camera with me, it takes a very 

conscious effort to forget the camera and get on with the work. 

The really sad part is that I prefer taking pictures to gardening, so sooner or later the tools go back into the 

shed and the camera comes out. 

So I hear you say, “nothing wrong with that”, except that the attention seekers are more interested in the 

gardening (and the bugs and worms it uncovers) than the camera. 

I have started to notice that the birds and 

dragonflies are getting more interested, 

often investigating what I am doing. 

The birds after the aforementioned bugs 

and the dragonflies investigating the new 

addition (me) to their territory. 

So the solution I have come up with is 

simple, when I go out to the garden to 

work the camera comes with me. 

ISO 250, F8 and 1/640th sec FL 300mm 

I start to dig a flower bed and stop after 

five minutes, leaving the spade bedded in 

the ground I go and sit down for ten 

minutes with the camera at the ready. 


For this task I am using the Canon 7D and the 

EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens, it has 

become one of my favoured lenses for this type 

of photography. 

The weight gives more stability for hand held 

work so long as you have the arm strength to 

hold it, and the varying focal length allows for 

the flexibility needed to get the spur of the 

moment pictures as it eliminates the need to 

change lens every time the creature moves to a 

new position. 

Red Admiral - ISO 320, F9 and 1/300th sec FL 190mm 

Of course it is not all about the dragonflies and butterflies, 

the attention seekers come in all shapes and sizes. Usually, 

like this group, they have no idea that they are attracting the 

attention of a photographer, but they do none the less. 

The birds are a different matter, they seem to be very 

interested in what we are doing even when not actually doing 

anything. They also are worth watching to see what antics 

they will get up to next, sometimes the things they do will 

change a simple record image into the shot. 


We do not always need livestock to be included in a picture to 

make it happen, we nearly all have flowers in the garden or at 

least near-by, and they can be used to generate some really 

special images. Sometimes we have to work a bit harder to get 

the picture to look right, but it is worth the effort. 

Red Rose - ISO 100, F11 and 1/125th sec FL 165mm 

Small Tortoise Shell 



For me the flowers are a great source of 

inspiration, there is something about them that 

makes me want to use the camera. 

I will say at this point that apart from some 

very minor tweaking, mainly cropping, all the 

images in this article are as taken. 

Pink Rose - ISO 200, F11 and 1/1000th sec FL 250mm 

Even when taking the pictures of the flowers we still get the 

interlopers as in the spider that was sunning itself in the 

flower. Really I am only jealous, what a great way to spend 

the day. 

Arachnid Interloper 


It helps to get a good picture if the sun is shining, which 

brings me to the next point about these pictures, they 

were all taken between 14:35 and 17:00. 

We always speak about the golden hour, the hour after 

sunrise and before sunset, but during the summer months, 

and to a certain extent, autumn and spring, that golden 

hour is extended into a much longer period. 

I was taught to avoid taking special images between 

10am and 4pm to avoid the ‘flat’ lighting in landscapes 

and harsh shadows in other subjects, but just occasionally 

the lighting can be perfect at other times. 

As the afternoon passed by the clouds diffracted the 

sunlight created a false sunset and the effect was to 

change the light quality. 

Rose - ISO 200, F10 and 1/400th sec FL 190mm 

I believe that it is this change we look for during the 

golden hour, it is what makes the pictures special. 


Having packed up the tools and taking one final 

walk round the garden with the camera, the Norfolk 

Hawker Dragonfly decided to land on a leaf nearby, 

he stayed for just a few seconds, so this was a 

reaction shot. 

Norfolk Hawker Dragonfly 


I never had the chance for a second go so it had to be 

right first time. Cropped in we see it is not perfect, but 

it is passable. 


So when out gardening the advise is to keep the camera handy. I have missed many great shots by forgetting 

this rule, the birds on the garden tools and even the fighter jet doing a slow pass over head, would have been 

a brilliant picture, but sadly no camera so not taken. 

Gordon 


Photo Spot - Robert Murray 



Fire and Burning and some common Trees of the Kruger. 

Ian Bales-Smith 

Most visitors want to see mammals, carnivores and 

the big five, they should not lose sight of other 

nature that sustains life and adds to the biodiversity 

of the Kruger. 

This article discusses fires and burning and some 

common trees that you may see in the Southern 

section of the Kruger. 

The grasses of the Kruger are described as 

Sweetveld grasses. This diversity of grass species 

supports many herbivorous mammals and reptiles 

and invertebrates and provides shelter to many 

species of the animal kingdom. 

Sweetveld is nutritious and palatable and occurs in 

the lower frost free areas. Grasses cover more than 

60% of the Kruger`s surface. There would be no 

Kruger without its savannah grasslands. 

Trees supply us with oxygen and store carbon and 

other gases. Trees stabilise the soil and give life to 

the animal kingdom. They provide shelter, fibre, 

building material, paper and many of the world’s 

important medicines. Trees play an important part in 

the “water cycle”. 

While touring the Kruger, and searching for the big 

five and other mammals, also look into the bush to 

appreciate the vegetation that supports its wildlife. 

The World Health Organisation reports that up to 

80% of the World`s population relies on plants 

directly for some aspect of primary health care. 

A Field Guide to the trees of the Kruger will prove 

useful. 

Fires. 

Visitors are often upset and concerned to see large 

areas of the Kruger burning or recently burnt out. 

Managed burning is an essential tool and has 

valuable benefits. 

The most active periods for burning are from late 

winter to early spring, evidence of burns maybe seen 

at any time of the year. 

An early morning managed burn. Note that trees are 

not seriously burnt; the moribund grass is burning 

well. 

Natural fires have always been part of the 

ecosystem. 

Managed burning is essential for maintaining and 

restoring ecological balance. With managed fires 

there should be no, or only limited mortality, 

because burn days are selected when winds and 

temperatures are low. 

If on your tour you come across a fire, it is worth 

stopping and observing what happens, it can be very 

rewarding. Make sure you are a safe distance from 

the fire and that you can exit the area if necessary. 

Most animals, sensing fire, will retreat or move into 

holes in the ground or trees to find cover. Many 

insects take flight and attract insect eating birds such 

as drongo, flycatchers and rollers. Tortoises take 

cover against large trees and termite mounds. 

Managed burns are made to: 

· Remove excess plant material and debris. 

· Prevent the encroachment of woody species. 

· Create fire breaks to protect other grass areas 

from non managed fires e.g. lightning. 

· Encourage rotational grazing. 

· Destroy parasites. 


Baobab North of Tshokwane en-route to Satara. 

There is another at the Timbavati picnic site to the 

West of Satara Camp.] 

In this fire it is mainly the old and moribund grass 

that is burnt. 

Baobab in winter. 

You can see why some of the local people refer to it 

as the upside down tree – it`s roots are in the air? 

Burning of woody species and moribund grass. 

Trees. 

The Zulu word “umuthi” has two meanings: tree 

and medicine. 

The big five trees of the Kruger are: The Baobab, 

Fever tree, Knob thorn, Marula. Mopane. 

You are unlikely to see the Baobab and Mopane 

unless your tour takes you to the North of the 

Oliphant’s river. 

The Baobab is an iconic tree of the bushveld. 

Legend says it was planted upside down by the 

Hyena. The fruit of the baobab is pear shaped, 

covered in green- brown hairs. 

The fruit is high in tartaric acid, [Cream of tartar] 

the high vitamin C makes a refreshing drink. 

The young roots are nutritious and edible. The wood 

is fibrous and has little use. The bark is fibrous and 

harvested to weave sacks, mats and fishing nets. 

Very large and naturally hollowed out trunks have 

been used for various types of shelter. 

In the southern area of the Kruger look out for the 

trees described below: 

Leadwood, Jackal berry, Marula, Apple leaf, Knob 

thorn, Sausage tree, Sycamore fig, the Lala palm 

and the Sabi star. 


Leadwood between Skukuza Camp and the Mkulu 

Picnic site. 

Leadwood [Combretum imberbe] is a very hard 

wood; it is easily recognised by the silvery grey 

bark. It was used for fencing poles and heavy 

construction. It is an excellent slow burning wood 

for braais. Owls are often seen in these trees near the 

banks of the Sabi River. 

The trunk of an old Leadwood [Combretum 

imberbe] is an eco-system supporting small animals: 

squirrels, mongoose, and birds: barbets and 

woodpeckers and insects. 

Note this was growing on a termite mound. 

Photographed on the savannas near the Satara 

Camp. 

Jackal berry on the Maroela loop north of the Sabi 

River bridge en-route to Tshokwane. There is a very 

impressive and easily identifiable tree at the 

Tshokwane picnic site. 

The Jackal berry can be very large and impressive; it 

grows along rivers and on termite rich mounds. The 

edible fruit is eaten by humans, primates and the 

Jackal [Hence its name] 

Euphorbia, growing out of the trunk of an old 

leadwood tree which is home to a squirrel family. It 

is in the Skukuza Camp. 

The Euphorbia has very toxic milky latex used to 

poison fish. 

The botanical name is Diospyros mespiliformis. 

{Diospyros means pear of the Gods} The fruit is 

used to make beer, preserves and porridge. In 

spring, the leaves are in shades of brown-green and 

red. 


A Marula tree on the left side of the Maroela Loop 

road, with a Knob thorn tree to the right of the road. 

These are common and important trees of the 

Kruger. 

The Marula is known for its nutritious fruit and and 

Amarula liqueur. The fruit is enjoyed by many 

animals including elephant. The Marula is the host 

plant for the lunar moth. Indigenous people use the 

cocoons of the moth to make ankle rattles. Some 

indigenous people refer to the tree as the “elephant 

tree”, the size and shape of the tree trunks; 

particularly when there are many together, often 

appear like elephant legs. 

There are male and female trees. It is also known as 

the “Marriage tree”. Getting married under the shade 

of a marula tree brings vigour and fertility to the 

married couple. The dried pips/nuts are strung 

together to make a necklace symbolizing love. 

The Apple leaf [Philenoptera violacea] 

This is commonly called the rain tree, because of 

spittlebugs, that suck sap from young stems to get 

nutrients and causing froth to drip down creating 

“rain”. It is bad luck to cut down an Apple leaf tree 

as it may cause a split in the family of the person 

cutting the tree and it may bring on a drought. In 

some rural area this tree is left standing in lands 

prepared for crop farming, because if cut down, a 

drought may follow. 

Knob thorn [Acacia nigrescens] 

The Knob thorn gets its name from the knobs that 

cover the young stems. The knobs are thorn tipped 

and are a defence against browsers. As the tree 

grows, the knobs on the trunk disappear. 

The usefulness of trees is illustrated in this 

photograph where a leopard is storing its food out of 

reach hyena. The tree is a nesting site for many of 

the raptors of the Kruger, probably because of the 

protection provided by the thorny knobs on the 

branches. The leaves of the tree carry hooked thorns 

which is a further protection from browsers. 

The knobs are crushed into a powder and used by 

indigenous people for various medicines and cures 

In spite of the hooked thorns, the tree is favoured by 

giraffe which are thought to be important pollinators 

of the tree. 


The figs are carried on the main branches. Wasps 

breed inside the figs and play a role in pollination. 

The dried fruit is popular with local people and are 

fairly long lasting. 

The tree produces milky latex used by young local 

boys to make birdlime for trapping small birds. The 

tree creates a complete ecosystem and is habitat for 

many species of birds, small mammals and lizards. 

Sausage Tree. [Kigelia Africana] 

The flowers grow on long stems that carry the large 

sausage like fruit. 

The fruit is used for many traditional medical 

treatments and is not edible by humans. The fruit 

can weigh up to about 12kgs. The fruit is used 

traditionally to assist young men with manhood! It is 

known as “Umvongothi” in Zulu. 

The leaves are browsed by elephant and kudu. The 

wood is easily worked and was used to make small 

dug out boats. 

Trees play a critical role in the environment. 

The canopy of sausage tree at the Tshokwane Picnic 

Site gives a good idea of its size; it probably shades 

an area of about 900 Sq.m. 

Sycamore fig [Ficus sycomorus] 

Sycamore fig occurs along the banks of the rivers of 

the Kruger. They can be massive trees and are a rich 

source of food for bird and primates. The tree`s 

roots are extensive and help bind the soil to prevent 

erosion and wash aways. 

A mature elephant will consume more than 50 tons 

of vegetative matter in a year. The dung produced is 

a very effective way of seed dispersal. This picture 

shows digested marula fruit. 

The Lala palm fruit, with its very hard ivory like 

skin, will germinate after digestion by elephant. 

Lala Palm [Phoenix reclinata.] The dried leaves are 

used for weaving various crafts, baskets, sleeping 

mats and brooms. The palm grows near water and is 

an indicator of underground water. 


The hard internal part is a vegetable ivory used to 

carve ornaments and buttons. 

Impala lily [Adenium multiform.] Also known as 

the Sabi Star. Extracts from the bulb of the plant are 

used for fish and arrowhead poison. 

· The Silver cluster leaf, very common near 

Pretoriuskop. 

· The Buffalo thorn, strong associations with 

spiritual and cultural traditions. 

· The Fever tree with its light, almost lemon 

coloured bark. Grows near water. 

· Tamboti, normally grow in thickets. Not to be 

used for braaing or barbeques 

· Bush willow, various bush willow species occur 

throughout the Kruger 

· Sjambok pod with its long bean and very 

colourful yellow flowers in early spring. 

Other trees to look out for in the southern area of the 

Kruger include: 

· The Weeping Boer bean with its colourful 

display of reddish flowers. 

For information about this brief article or tours to 

the Kruger please contact me: 

Ian Bales-Smith of Afrika Tourism and Training. 

Email: ibs22dec@gmail.com 


Wildlife Borneo - Another Day in Paradise 9 

Sabah Reef by Gary Bridger 

The underwater world of Sabah Reef is threatened by development and irresponsible tourism. Here is just a 

glimpse of the fragile beauty that may soon disappear. 



Sometimes it is the Simple Things - Reflections by Gordon Longmead 


The structure at Goole docks is called the pepper pot and was used to load ships with coal for export. 

Rodger lee 

Kuyimba means 'to sing' in the Zambian Chinyanja 

language and this site is a celebration of the sights and 

sounds of southern Africa. Join us to experience it for 

yourself. 

Derek & Sarah Solomon 

www.kuyimba.com 

We hope you like the magazine, the size and content of future issues depends on you. 

Submissions for the next issue are being accepted 

Website = photosociety.net Page 37 email = magazine@photosociety.net

World Image Issue 37 October 2016

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