Light of Africa Photo

Photographer’s Note

I wish holidays would never end. But they do and our trip to Southern Africa too.

This was the last sunset we had before returning to Johannesburg and to Australia. This is the light the Kalahari Desert had to offer that last night.

The picture is as it came out of my ailing camera. I only resized it for TE, framed and signed and finally gave a touch of USM.

After 74 (26 mains and 48 WS’s) photos, I hope I have given you a comprehensive idea of what you can expect to see in Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta and Northern Kalahari Desert.

ISO 1600

kiwi_explorer, siolaw, daddo, Floydian, bakes888, dip, robertosalguero, besnard, celmaleite, Jeppo, jhm, stego, lucasgalodoido, Dpbours, Docarmo, Clementi, Photo65Net, MLINES, riclopes, paura, manada, Truja, ruisc_pt, gary91, ChrisJ, josepmarin, bostankorkulugu, Matthew-Watt, Paolo, xavshot, plimrn, pboehringer, adores, belido, pablominto, Scharan, TeresaT, rigoletto, lilimih33, Tue, kiks, mpdre, edytungkal, Lynette, josediogo1958, niphredil76, Felip, xuaxo, Charo, cfreire has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

kiwi_explorer (12195) 2007-12-21 0:05

Hi Antonio,
Beautiful landscape wonderfully captured. The sunset color is just fantastic and the trees creating a lovely silhouette. Good image and contrast quality. Well captured and composed. Excellent work! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

daddo (11342) 2007-12-21 0:08

Hi Antonio. You got a wonderful farewell from Africa with this sunset. Lovely soft colours and intricate silhouetted branches of such characteristic trees. I like your choice of trees as the one the right includes the nests of the weaver birds.Regards. Klaudio.

Floydian (30970) 2007-12-21 0:08

Hi Antonio,
This is to me the best shot from the great Baobob tree from your series. Your camera did his last job here very well and i enjoyed this sunset by the nice composition with the trees and the nice red/orange gradient in the sky...
Regards, Henk

fayeulle (26543) 2007-12-21 0:16

Hi Antonio
I really like the mood in this picture. Just magnificent !
Cheers
JP

bakes888 (18165) 2007-12-21 0:17

Hi Antonio. Great photo and a fitting end to you southern African series. Excellent colours and composition. Well captured and thanks for sharing.
Have a good Xmas, Paul.

dip (12572) 2007-12-21 0:17

Hello Antonio,
very nice image with amazing colors,
good contrast and clarity although the ISO 1600,
well captured and composed!
Dimitris.

siolaw (25732) 2007-12-21 0:25

Hi Antonio,
Superb sunset silhouette shot with the two different trees complementing well each other. Excellent sky colors and smooth texture.
Greetings
Laurent
;D

robertosalguero (110) 2007-12-21 0:27

Olá Antonio,

The tree on the right look a little like a Christmas Tree. Very nice colours and interesting landscape. The view is peaceful and relaxing. Good composition. Merry Christmas and keep posting :-)

Roberto

barrufeto_77 (25797) 2007-12-21 0:29

Hi Antonio.

Excellent, excellent light for sure!

Rgs, Oscar

fotohadi (2967) 2007-12-21 1:36

Hi Antonio.Excellent colours and contrst quality,well done.Hadi

TGULUMSER (12512) 2007-12-21 2:05

Hello Antonio,
The colors, light and the silhouettes are excellent. This photo's beauty is in its simplicity,
Best regards,
Tulay

besnard (30624) 2007-12-21 2:10

Bonjour Antonio
Superbe cliché avec de magnifiques couleurs propres à l'Afrique. Les arbres de détachent de belle manière sur un ciel tout rose.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

celmaleite (2718) 2007-12-21 2:47

Lindíssimas árvores em silhuetas! Gosto muito do tom avermelhado caracterizando o maravilhoso pôr do sol. Parabéns e abraço
Celma

macondo (13099) 2007-12-21 3:21

Hello Atonio.
A very well balanced shot, with plenty of detail in the trees and the ground despite the strong back lighting. There is a warm and peaceful mood in this shot. There is little noise despite the high ISO. I must go back and look at some of your earlier shots of the trip you made.
Christmas and New Year best wishes.
Regards,
Andrew

jhm (82461) 2007-12-21 4:54

Hello Antonio,

Africa on his best, through the two dark silhouettes of the trees and the wonderful pink sky to the sky line.
Very fine and soft for look it.
Thanks for sharing.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
John.

stego (22352) 2007-12-21 8:01

Olá António,
Fico com pena de ser a última desta série tão interessante tanto pela beleza dos locais que mostras, como pela qualidade das fotos.
Esta encaixa perfeitamente no meu imaginário de África (sem qualquer fundamento 'experimental', pois só ainda estive no Norte do continente). Imagino até os barulhos da savana.
Nunca experimentei tirar fotos com mais de 400 ASA com a minha máquina, mas aposto que nem era preciso para obter bastante mais ruído nestas condições. Só espero que a doença apanhada no banho pela 30D tenha tido cura.
Uma baraço, José.

lucasgalodoido (16601) 2007-12-21 10:33

Olá Antônio,
uma ótima serie mesmo essa sua vaigem na Africa, sempre com fotos boas e locais muito interessantes, o verdadeiro espírito do TE. Essa ficou muito bonita também, com cores bem suaves a pouco ruído, mesmo pra um ISO 1600, muito boa as Canon nesse aspecto.
Parabéns e Abraço!

Dpbours (220) 2007-12-21 12:28

Hi Antonio,

The soft gradual tones in the background combined with the harsh silouettes is really pleasant. And yes, I really enjoyed your Botswana series!! :-)

Greetings,
Dennis

Didier38 (710) 2007-12-21 13:20

Bonsoir Antonio,

Superbe dégradé de couleurs, j'adore.
Ces arbres ressortent bien sur le fond.

Bravo belle image !

Didier

Rosa (4591) 2007-12-21 13:55

Bonsoir Antonio,

Superbe ces dégradés de couleurs,
Ces arbres en ombres chinoises ressortent bien sur le fond de ce très beau ciel, Bravo.

Joyeux Noël et excellente année 2008.
Amitiés,
Rosa

emka (21369) 2007-12-21 15:02

Hi Antonio,

Very beautiful shot. I find great the way the colour changes gradually. This tree is very impressive, with epiphytes or nests? Excellent.
Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo
Um abraço,

Malgorzata

gelarsen (437) 2007-12-21 17:17

Que foto espectacular! Belissimas cores de elementos fazendo uma captura perfeita.
Gary

Docarmo (8834) 2007-12-21 17:30

Olá António,
Esta cor linda rosa-laranja, cor de manga-rosa, com as silhuetas destas árvores, parecem bem representativas da África. Nunca estive lá, mas é uma idéia que faço pelas fotos e pelos filmes que já vi. Deve ser maravilhoso e você soube bem nos apresentar esta beleza.
Parabéns e obrigada!
MC

trekks (14292) 2007-12-21 22:53

Your series of silhouetted nicely-shaepd trees are impressive, Antonio. This one is no exception, it has great sunset colors and good mood. TFS

Photo65Net (43084) 2007-12-22 1:41

Antonio,
Superb tones in this image.
The graphics you caught in the FG and these shadowed trees is very pleasant, and you balanced it perfectly.
Very good job,
Regards,
JB.

MLINES (10880) 2007-12-22 1:59

Hi Antonio. A beautifully balanced and coloured image. Your Africa series has been a delight to see. TFS. Murray.

Clementi (44013) 2007-12-22 2:07

Ciao Antonio ,
bellissimi alberi ripresi nell'ora della giornata con i colori piu' caldi .
ottima gestione luce e colore.
ben fatto
Buon Natale e Felice Anno nuovo
Giorgio

riclopes (32977) 2007-12-22 3:53

Fizeste um bom trabalho sim senhor! Tadinha da máquina que parecia estar a dar as últimas aqui...Mas isto também é a prova de que a máquina não é o mais importante e que mesmo com um doente nas mãos podes dar-nos bonitas impressões. Vejo o grão, vejo a perca de qualidade e mesmo assim, gosto bastante desta composição e cores. Aquela silhueta da direita é bem engraçada e atraente.
Desejo-te um Bom Natal e uma viagem para Lisboa,
ricardo

paura (38348) 2007-12-22 4:44

António,
Uma beleza de trabalho. Essas árvores bojudas são muito lindas e sua composição, com essa lindas luz por trás, excelente. Uma de suas mais lindas fotos, amigo.

Abraço

Paulo

manada (6237) 2007-12-22 6:16

Ciao Antonio
you gave a right idea with that shot...
Magic mood in the sundown, wonderful african silhouettes.
Compliments,well done!
I wish you all the best and Merry Xmas.

Freddy

vinicio (22380) 2007-12-22 13:01

A "charming" beautiful backlight Antonio, compliments, I much like the warm atmosphere and the colors, well done.
Best wishes
Ciao
Vinicio

vincz (19039) 2007-12-22 14:07

Fantastic silhouettes and beautiful sunset colours. A truly great ambiance in this picture.

Truja (4948) 2007-12-22 14:24

Hi Antonio,
brillante y magnífica fotografía, con excelentes colores ténues y cálidos.
Has reflejado una atmósfera misteriosa, calmada y tranquila. Fantástica composición llena de encanto. Gran trabajo!!

Un saludo desde Barcelona, Jordi

ruisc_pt (6206) 2007-12-22 14:54

OLá
Esta çuz faz-me lembrar io cheiro do por do sol em àfrica,
Muito bela exposição-
boas festas.-
R

gary91 (15321) 2007-12-23 0:19

Hello Antonio,
Superb sunset. The colors are gorgeous and the silhouettes especially the one of the baobab tree allows to recognise where we are... Thanks again for all these pictures of your travel. It is a little bit as if I did it from home ;-)
I wish you, and your family, a merry Christmas and a very happy new year !
Best regards, Christian

gildasjan (23765) 2007-12-23 0:35

Bonjour Antonio
Simplement de magnifiques arbres sur ce joli ciel dégradé et toutes ses nuances.
Bonne journée et bonnes fêtes.
Amicalement
Gildas

ChrisJ (70171) 2007-12-23 1:34

Hi Antonio

I almost expect to see a silhouette of "Kimba the White Lion" in this superb African sunset. Marvellous colour, sharpness & graphism. Merry Xmas!

josepmarin (33785) 2007-12-23 3:36

Olá António,
tus fotos de Sudáfrica nos han dado una gran información gráfica y escrita de este lugar, en un excelente trabajo en el espíritu TE.
Esta puesta de sol es muy bonita y hace que los árboles en silueta se destaquen con elegancia sobre el cielo con estos magníficos tonos rosados.
Buen resultado a pesar de la ISO 1600, que siempre produce ruido.
Feliz Navidad, un abrazo,
Josep

Gerrit (35687) 2007-12-23 14:56

Hi Antonio,
great couple in excellent colours. Perfect balance.
Regards, Gerrit

bostankorkulugu (33532) 2007-12-23 21:50

there is your african christmas tree again... but this time in a more poetic composition and appealing colours...

merry christmas to you my friend... and all the best in 2008...

cheers

korkut

Matthew-Watt (4463) 2007-12-23 22:11

Hello Antonio,

Your collection of Southern African photographs was exceptional. Your prime quality and very significant notes were always a delight to view and read. This is a very good one to conclude with, being your last light in the area. It is always a bit sad when a holiday comes to an end but it is a wonderful thing to be home again afterwards. We have to keep reminding ourselves that where we live is a pretty idyllic part of the world also! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Matt

Paolo (40702) 2007-12-24 14:16

Hi Anotnio , excellent one, colorful and with a grat capture of the tree silouhette.
excellent light too.
thanks and Merry Xmas, ciao

xavshot (62389) 2007-12-25 2:10

Bonjour Antonio
superbes couleurs dans ce paysage. j'aime beaucoup les silhouettes des arbres. Le graphisme me plait beaucoup. Bravo
et bonnes fêtes de fin d'année
Xavier

plimrn (19610) 2007-12-25 7:41

Ola Antonio,
Well your camera is amazing, even though stressed, it captures amazing color and detail in these unique trees against the sunset skty.

Merry Christmas to you and your family,
Pat

pboehringer (770) 2007-12-26 7:16

Antonio, an intersting silhoutte, in this case my beloved Baoba tree, against a colorsful sunset never fails to give the desired effect. It looks neat although I miss somewhat the sharpness and the noise is distractive. Are this the first signs that your camera was starting to give up after the water plunge?
Happy New Year - with dry camera! ;-)
Peter

adores (15507) 2007-12-26 19:02

Olá António!
Bem bonita esta, tanto pelas silhuetas como pelas cores do pôr-do-sol. Ficou bastante boa e em diria que foi tirada com um ISO desses.Muito bem conseguida!
Espero que já esteja a gozar as suas férias cá na terra!! Dia 05 devo aparecer, sim!

belido (16421) 2007-12-27 14:22

Olá Antonio,

conseguiu um registro muito bonito desse por-do-sol. Os tons em degradê formam um lindo pano de fundo para as silhuetas das interessantes árvores. O iso 1600 parece ter provocado um ruído na parte inferior, mas chega a ser quase imperceptível. Provavelmente as condições não eram favoráveis no momento, mas por outro lado a luminosidade ficou 10. Parabéns!
Abraço,
Carlos

pablominto (40600) 2007-12-29 12:36

Hello Antonio,
This is a striking image and a wonderful scenery!
The trees, the sky, the colours, everything is outstanding...
Well balanced composition with fine details!
Greetings,
Pablo -

johnfreeman (2222) 2007-12-31 4:33

Hello Antonio,
This is a beautiful sunset picture and a wonderful portrait of two remarkable trees. Simply and beautifully composed, the different shapes of the two trees really complement each other.
Very nice work and the fitting conclusion to a fascinating travelogue.
All the best for 2008!
John

Scharan (13951) 2008-01-05 16:21

Olá Antonio

Simplismente fantástica esta foto.
São encantadoras as cores do céu realçando as silhuetas das árvores.
Meus parabéns, um lindíssimo trabalho.
Feliz 2008!
GA
Vera

pedroseco (198) 2008-01-06 11:14

Ola António!

So posso dizer que esta foto é simplesmente fantástica.
A silhueta das arvores no por-do-sol visível dá-nos uma ideia da paisagem local, e da beleza que podemos encontrar onde menos esperamos.

Particularmente gosto da árvore da direita, se eu olhar com atenção durante algum tempo consigo inclusive no meu imaginário criar formas concretas através das linhas que estão representadas pela silhueta da árvore.

parabéns pela foto,

Abraço,
Pedro

TeresaT (10733) 2008-01-09 14:54

Olá antónio,
antes de mias deixa-me desejar-te um bom ano de 2008.
Quanto à foto acho muito interessante especialmente devido às formas e tamanhos tão distintos que estas árvores em silhueta apresentam.
E claro a coloração do céu está fantástica.
Um abraço
Teresa

SteveH (3899) 2008-01-12 21:56

Hi Antonio, three things about this photo appeal to me, the warm light which graduates in colour up from the horizon, the positioning of the trees, creating a diagonal balanced composition and that you can see what I guess to be birds nests in clumps in the branches of the larger tree. Well done. Cheers, Steve

rigoletto (26220) 2008-01-13 0:27

Hi Antonio,
We were walking with Korkut during a winter photo session in Istanbul. We saw a bare tree with bird nests on it, and named it as the "ribeiroantonio tree", LOL!
Great African sunset and impressive double portrait of "ribeiroantonio trees" :))
Best wishes,
Deniz

lilimih33 (9872) 2008-01-25 12:27

Hello Antonio!
Fantastic clours and lovely sunset!
Wonderful trees silhouette!
Calm atmosphere!
Best regards!
Lili

...I return... :)

Tue (25608) 2008-01-28 12:04

Hi Antonio,
The colours of the sky in the background are beautiful. Lovely warm and soft tones. The silhouettes of the trees stand out wonderfully against it, even the tiniest branches. Great work, thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

Bluejeans (32227) 2008-01-30 10:52

Oi Antonio ,
Estas arvores são fantasticas de uma grande beleza penso que só devem existir em Africa , o ceu ficou com uma passagem de cores muito bonita , bom enquadramento da foto , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

designsoul (21394) 2008-01-31 18:20

Let me just add my own wonderment Antonio when I look at your shot... of course you didn't want this holiday to end! Neither do I want to leave my screen when looking at your magical, absolutely magical shot, carried out with the finest sensitivity... superb work, dear friend, these colours are extraordinary as they embrace these trees...
sasa

kiks (6065) 2008-02-07 1:42

LOvely way to say fareweel to Africa. The soft colors are just zo beautiful and the strange sillouet of the trees with nests on it make it more special.
TFS
KIKs

jmcl (13771) 2008-02-12 18:46

Hi Antonio,

Wonderful memory .. striking silhouette .. beautiful colors .. incredible sense of place .. I think you could take the whole foreground to shadow ... very nice.

take care,

John

Angshu (33637) 2008-02-12 19:52

Hello Antonio
The sun sets to your wonderful series with this picture?! Perhaps one of the best shot of a Baobob tree, with it's characteristic shape against the pastel colour of the sky. Very good balance provided by the other tree. A fine shot indeed!
Regards
Angshu

MichaelTrezzi (3170) 2008-02-14 20:04

Hello Antonio, Beautiful sunset with the nice baobab. Excellent work and fine detail of the silhouettes. It seems, that Africa in African winter looks very differently then in African summer, which is full of clouds. Thanks for sharing. Rgds, Michael

mpdre (1585) 2008-02-16 18:32

Hi Antonio,
Your last shot in South Africa...and what a shot! The colour of the sky is so beautiful... What an experience to presence the sunsets in the Kalahari Desert...
Lovely silhouettes of the baobab tree…A dream!
Andre

edytungkal (4519) 2008-02-17 22:21

Absolutely a fantastic light of Africa, every details are perfect nothing can't complain it, the white tigh framing just make it more special. Great shot Antonio, one of my favorite..
tfs

daniel

Lynette (1615) 2008-02-21 5:28

Hi Antonio, tkx yr visit. its good to be back if only for a short while... I definately concur with the comments made above. the sunset color is fantastic creating the beautiful silhouette of the trees. Well captured and composedd...what more can I say but excellent work. TFS
warm regards
L

josediogo1958 (436) 2008-02-21 12:08

Hello António
That light...that nature... beautiful.
TFS
Abraço
José Diogo

Hellas (5123) 2008-02-26 2:02

Wonderful light and contrast! The nests on the branches are attractive for me (hoping this is not a mistake). The warm light is amazing. Your wishes for endless holidays are always welcome from anyone.
Very good exposure with fine details.
Greetings from Greece,
Athanasios.

Felip (3905) 2008-03-11 7:35

Hi Antonio
Fantastic sunset image,with the silhouette of the trees remarking against that beautiful sky. Very good color balance and compo. My congratulations !
TFS
Best wishes

Felip

xuaxo (5717) 2008-03-14 16:39

Olá António,
Como é possível que eu ainda não tivesse clicado na miniatura desta foto?
As silhuetas das árvores estão espectaculares.
Um abraço,
F

tomi1 (1240) 2008-03-15 12:41

Oeiras,15-3-2008
António Ribeiro
Ainda não estive em África e gosto deste pôr do sol. As árvores na sua forma geométrica têm diferentes formas o que dignificou a sua beleza. Cumprimentos. Domingos

capthaddock (28640) 2008-03-21 14:33

Hmm yes, this is one of those thumbnails that immediately attract the eye, and the large version does not disappoint, simple yet effective, the differing shapes of the "twin" trees makes it work so well.

captainsgirl (3448) 2008-03-27 17:03

Hello Antonio,
So beautiful, I love the color in the sky and the twisted trees, a very serene photo, lovely. TFS
Donna:o)

aofl (1085) 2008-04-15 14:26

Bonita imagem esta do pôr do sol em África. É sempre com saudade que revejo estas imagens. Óptima luz e nitidez
al

zumoduvas (1974) 2008-04-28 14:47

Hola Antonio.

Espectacular imagen con siluetas envueltas en un cielo misterioso y lleno de color suave.

Saludos.
Jose Luis.

tanthainium (24) 2008-06-16 23:42

very beautiful color

Jardim (3197) 2008-06-29 9:13

Olá António,

Além das silhuetas das árvores eu gosto muito dos tons pastel do fundo. Está uma bonita composição.
Júlio Jardim

Charo (31671) 2008-07-19 13:14

Olá Antonio,
Fantastic as silhuetas das árvores sobre um fundo com uma excelente cor e luz. Um belo cartão postal muito bem feito.
Abraços,
Charo

cfreire (11647) 2008-08-28 17:06

Oi, Antonio
Linda esta foto com estes tons alaranjados e com as silhuetas das árvores fazendo todo o dinamismo. Gostei deste aspecto aquarável da foto. Bela mostra. Abraço, Consuelo

foozi (4717) 2008-09-23 0:03

Hello Roberto,
a stunning piece of shot. Really exciting to see the sihoutted trees in a pink background.
such a beautiful shot of excellent composition.

Regards,
Foozi

CLAP (632) 2008-11-09 1:57

Tres belle lumière pour ce magnifique coucher de soleil
Claude

marcdemoulin (1508) 2008-12-04 11:36

I'm speechless with the beauty of these silhouettes!!
Marc

giorgimer (21136) 2008-12-06 14:07

Hi Antonio,

I like a lot these trees' silhouettes, nice light.

TFS

Gio

king (2598) 2008-12-08 11:42

Hi Antonio
Beautiful silhouets in front of a beautiful coloured sky. Perfect simpliscity in the composition. TFS,
Huub.

JoNoCarmo (275) 2009-02-19 0:31

Olá António
Mais uma bonita foto de Africa, esta faz-me lembrar os meus tempos de Angola quando em Belas viamos o sol a por-se na direção do Mussulo tendo como primeiro plano alguns Imbondeiros (creio que é este o nome) que por lá haviam perto do Quartel. Um abraço - JCarmo

fotka (141) 2009-02-24 8:49

Hi Antonia,
It is beautifully captured sunset in Africa. The colors are amazing and lighting make a peaceful atmosphere. Sunsets over Africa look different than other parts of the world for me.
Very good job!
Regards,
Zbigniew

coco (27842) 2009-07-20 16:09

Hola Antonio.

I love how you used and managed the light and the composition on this photo.

Regards.