Tag Archives: Animal

A Moment I Had Longed To See


The charging bull elephant stampeded into the murky water, thrusting his long trunk high into the air.

The sound of splashing ringed in my ears. Blackened water erupted, upsetting the surface and its rival wake, each heaving step pounded in an effortless hustle.

My vision was drawn to the elephant’s emotive eye, its hazy reflection stared back at me, filling my finder.

I watched the backlight silhouette his age showing nothing but moving muscle and wrinkled hide.

His victory song could be heard for miles, the loud trumpeting signifying for his young family to follow.

Witnessing this experience was surely the heart of Africa. A moment I had longed to see.

African Elephant 011

Photographed in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

DOWNLOAD THE HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO HERE

DOWNLOAD THE LOW RESOLUTION PHOTO HERE

Fine Art Osprey


The Osprey would certainly be my favourite bird to photograph because they have so much character.

This Osprey was happy to pose for me on my last trip to Geraldton with Shawn Haywood. The sun shone brightly so I was able to get the amazing catch light in its eye.  I used about 5 images of trees, clouds and an oil tank to create this fine art portrait. Enjoy.

 

Osprey

 

Until Next Time – Happy Shooting

The Golden Elephant


Photographed in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

African Elephant

I really didn’t want to get any closer than this. This guy was huge!

Until Next Time – Happy Shooting

2013 Calendar African Wildlife Art


 

My African wildlife art can now hang on your wall every day of the year! If you are an African lover then this calendar is for you.

Calendars can be printed and delivered by Christmas if you get in early. To order and view the full 2013 Calendar “African Wildlife Art” simply click on the image below. Enjoy.

A photographic calendar of African Wildlife by Leigh Diprose

African Wildlife Calendar by Leigh Diprose

Solitary Echidna


I’m was so happy to come across this solitary mammal a few days ago. The colour of the Australian bush reflected in its spines, lighting up the shot.

I couldn’t help but focus on the eye at f1.2 (to the non photographers out there f1.2 means there is a shallow depth of field…ie not much in focus) when I saw the Echidna looking back at me. So cute!

Solitary Echidna in the Australian bush

Fishing Tern


I watched as the darting bird stealthily fished beyond the reaches of my telephoto lens. The bird dove with tucked wings from a standing height; water erupted on the horizon as the bird breached the surface chasing a scaly meal from the watery depths below.

The choice of a telephoto lens was rewarding, I was able to separate the common predator from the breaking waves and colourful ocean hues. It’s such a shame the Tern returned to shore without a prize meal as it would have made the photo into a masterpiece. I suppose that is what wildlife photography is all about, you may capture a great image you may not – it can be so unpredictable if you don’t know what you are looking for. You simply have to perceive and eventually the behaviour of an animal will become known. It is only then you can master the art of wildlife photography.

A Tern in flight with an ocean background

Until next time – Happy Shooting.

What Makes A Good Black and White Photo?


 

Have you ever wondered what makes a good black and white photo?

When I photographed this Warthog in the Kruger National Park, I was anticipating the final image to be in colour however after a quick conversation to black and white in Photoshop I changed my mind.

What do you think makes a decent black and white photo? Do you think it has anything to do with the texture or is it something else. I’m still scratching my head. Please tell me the answer!
A warthog eating grass in the Kruger National Park

Wedge Tailed Eagle


This Wedge Tailed Eagle was captured near the Stirling Ranges. The magnificent bird is certainly my favourite to photograph and one of the hardest!

A Wedge Tailed Eagle in flight

Textured Impala


 

 

 

Cropped to a square, the original image was too clean so film grain was added to enhance the detail. I have been debating whether to put this image on the blog. Do you think the texture works on this photo? Feedback needed good and bad please!

A close up photograph of an Impala

 

Until next time – Happy Shooting.

Osprey Feathers


 

 

Osprey feathers fly silently upon the wind soaring in grandeur. Patterns dance in the breeze above. Light falls on feathers enhancing pools of striking reds and electric blues.  The sound of the sea stirs, the powerful Osprey beats its wings steadily toward the headland wind. Eyesight sharp and focused.

Mysterious shapes travel below in the churning water.  The powerful bird tucks wings and dives to the depths grasping its trophy within its sharp talons. Beats of power gracefully lift the bird to its place of rest were it consumes its prize. Victory has its calling, the Osprey cries a whistles in the wind preening its feathers with pride.

Osprey Feathers Fine Art by Leigh Diprose

Until next time – Happy Shooting.

The Sunday Times – Whale Photo by Leigh Diprose Published


 

 

 

Published in The Sunday Times – Sunday, 29th June 2012

The article written by Emily Moulton on page 31 reads:

Power and the glory

THIS breathtaking shot of a female humpback having a whale of a time was taken off Albany.

The majestic creature entered King George Sound with her newborn calf a few weeks ago and was seen by whale watchers on board an Albany Ocean Adventures tour.

Fremantle photographer Leigh Diprose was one of those lucky passengers and captured this magical moment of the humpback breaching.

“It was on my bucket list,” Mr Diprose said. “The whale had a two-week-old calf with her and it was fantastic to have witnessed the calf trying to breach the water, then its mum came out of nowhere and started breaching. It was amazing.”

Paul Guest, from Albany Ocean Adventures, said the cow and calf stayed in King George Sound for about six days after this picture was taken – the first time a migrating humpback had done that in a long while.

“Normally they swim right on through,” he said. “It was a little unusual. You could also tell the calf was very young, less than two weeks old.

“Its dorsal fin was still bent over. It straightens up after 14 days.”

If you like the photo feel free to download it:

I release two free photos every month. The full resolution photo of the humpback whale is one of the images you can download for free.

Simply click on the below image to download the photo for FREE

 

Humpback Whale

 

Feel free to share this page with family and friends.

Until next time – Happy Shooting

Published on the Front Cover of the Great Southern Weekender – Leigh Diprose


Wow! When I got a message from Paul Guest from Albany today I was excited. He told me my photograph had made it to the front cover of the local paper – The Great Southern Weekender. The Great Southern Weekender has a circulation of just over 20,000 homes and businesses. Thanks also to Shawn Haywood from Geraldton (one of my favourite places!) who ended up telling someone in Albany about the photo…who told someone else…and so on….

I would like to thank Albany Ocean Adventures for the true adventure photographing such an amazing animal – the Humpback Whale. Paul was so knowledgeable about the whales and put the boat in the perfect position to take the photo. If you ever get the chance to get to Albany be sure to book a trip whale watching aboard the Silver Star with Albany Ocean Adventures.

Paul Guest from Albany Ocean Adventures

Also I have made this photo FREE for everyone to use. Click on the image to download.

Feel free to share the love

Humpback Whale

The Front Cover of the Great Southern Weekender

The Inside Cover of the Great Southern Weekender

Until next time – Happy Shooting!

Wildlife Request by Facebook Fans – Leigh Diprose


I posted this on Facebook tonight:

“So what do you want to see me post tonight? A landscape, wildlife or wedding photo?

and look what followed:

This is the result – You asked for some wildlife – so you get it!

Until next time – Happy Shooting!

Ibis Surrounds


Chaos surrounded me, the chorus of flapping was deafening. Each bird seemed to know the direction of the other as the flock took to wing. A moving dark cloud of beak, feet and squawks captivated me to hold the camera tightly and to compose this image.

I painted this photograph using Photoshop to portray a sense of scale. The movement of the birds frozen in time creates an awareness into how busy life can get. Slowing down our lives lets us look at scene in front of us.  “Beauty lies before us we just have to stop every now and then to see it.” – Leigh Diprose.

The plan now is to print this artwork onto canvas (as soon as my printer is fixed) and display it in the entry. This photograph means quite a bit to me. I hope you enjoy it to.

I’m interested – what do you feel when you see this image?

Until next time – Happy Shooting

 

The Africa Series


In celebration of my new website (coming very soon) I’m putting my collection of African photographs together. I captured a series of images over two trips to the Kruger National Park.

The collection will feature animals like lion, elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, white rhinoceros and wild dog to name a just a few!

I can’t wait to share my African wildlife passion with you all. I am always dreaming of my next trip to Africa and have a few ideas in store for the next trip. Maybe I should run a few wildlife workshops over there or do you think the market is a bit saturated? Anyway just thoughts at the moment.

Below is the very first lioness I photographed in the wild.

I can remember my heart pounding so hard I had to put the camera down frequently as I was shaking so much with excitement. The large warming sun was setting and the beautiful last light was fading fast.  I watched the big cat walk care free through the golden African grasses almost like a scene out of the Lion King. Stopping suddenly to raise her head she spotted a lone zebra camouflaged within the scrub ahead.

Seeing an opportunity, crouching and crawling low to the ground she covertly stalked the unsuspecting victim. Minutes passed and the lioness ended up within striking distance from the Zebra happily grazing the edge of an open plain. Holding my breath to control my breathing my finger mashed the shutter button. A sweet smile rose upon my face as I watched the preview appear on the back screen. The shot was taken. My first wild lioness photograph. I was proud as punch!

Retiring the camera and heavy lens to my lap I watched the lioness waiting patiently, hidden from the view of the unsuspecting Zebra. I don’t know what the lioness was thinking but her anticipation to launch into a chase was nail biting. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.

Over the next 10 minutes or so the zebra grazed without a worry and the lioness stayed hidden amongst the grasses. At this point the light had faded and I was wishing I had a camera with better noise reduction. Still with a smile on my face I headed back to camp. I couldn’t resist stopping multiple times on the way back to look at the photo I had just taken – after all I had just successfully photographed one of the animals on my bucket list.

Until next time.

Happy Shooting!

Free Fine Art Photography – July 2012 – Albany Ocean Adventures – Humpback Whale


The latest FREE fine art photograph is ready to be downloaded.

July 2012 – Albany Ocean Adventures.tiff

Just click on the image to download it.

 All I ask in return is:

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST


Humpback Whale

Enjoy.

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Thank you.

Spotted Eagle Owl


Impala


Painting Photoshop Style


Decided I would have some fun painting after a long night of editing weddings.
Here is the result. What do you think? Did I go too far?

Giraffe


My latest African photo forming part of my Black and White African series.

Enjoy.

White Rhinoceros


 

Black Winged Stilt


Burchell’s Zebra


A quick break from wedding photography….

Here is another black and white photograph to add to my African series. Enjoy.

Osprey


 

 

My favorite wildlife image… until I take the next one!

Ask yourself the question…what is in your backyard….If you have any wildlife where you are why not take a shot of it and post it! I would love to see it.

Back from Geraldton


 

 

 

 

In my previous post I set myself a challenge to get a few specific shots while I was in Geraldton.

RESULT!!! Stay tuned tomorrow morning for another shot.

Burchells Zebra


Hasn’t time flown? Since before the Easter break I have been madly redeveloping our backyard.  Caroline and myself have decided to go all eco. Raised veggie beds, chooks and new plants (including retic) all have to go in! So that is why you haven’t seen many photos for a while.  Bruised and sore from all the soil shifting and construction I have managed another African image for you all.

I’m off to the Hunter Valley (NSW) tomorrow so if my wireless works you may see a few images while I’m over there!

Until then,

Happy shooting.

White Rhino


I remember being so scared on this day. These two HUGE White Rhinos decided to walk a little bit to close to my car. With horns as big as my arm these animals can do serious damage.

As they came close my instant reaction was to put my camera and lens inside the car while staying perfectly still.  For a good 20 minutes they both just stood near the car. I heard each giant breath exit their mouths and the sound  seemed to be coming closer. My legs were shaking now! I was thinking just how fast is this car?

If I turn the key will I have enough time to get away, then I remembered that they can run 60km/h!  I couldn’t start the car or they would charge.  I would be crushed for sure!

I braved the risk of being crushed alive to get some shots (as any photographer would). This one was before I put my camera away! After about 20 minutes of what seemed to be a staring contest they moved on. Each THUD was felt as their feet hit the ground with weight as they walked passed the rear of my car.

All I can say is that I’m glad I got the shots!

Got to love Africa hey?

Lilac Breasted Roller



Crab


Something about this image grabs my attention. I think it is the clear blue water in the background.  I was keen to get out and about and try my new 400mm f5.6 L lens. I’m planning to take this lens to Africa – September next year. Can’t wait!

African Elephant


What is with my mind only being creative at night???? It seems like I only post images late at night!

I searched my Elephant data base and found this image which was perfect for a bit of B&W and a touch of film grain.

My thoughts are the blacks in the image are a little bit too crushed but hey I kind of like that.

Thanks for taking the time to view my images.  I really enjoy your comments so keep them coming!

Impala – The rest of the herd


With these images I wanted to get really close rather than show a whole herd of Impala. Sort of like animal portraits.

Let me know your thoughts of these 5 images. Which one do you like the most?

Until next time….

Happy Shooting!

 

 

Impala


Here is the start of some more wildlife images from Africa.

You should see a herd of Impala developing on the blog (Saturday)….I have so many shots!

Enjoy

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Horse



Too close?


Yes I know more lion shots….I have 600 or more images of lion to go….

I took these images from the car window where I had one hand on the ignition and the other on the shutter. The problem was I was driving a ‘new’ 4WD that had electric windows. I had to turn the car off to reduce any vibrations. If the lion was going to attack there would be no time to turn on the car, pull in the lens and press the button to wind the window up….I was shaking in my boots! Africa can be a deadly place at times!