Karine Ardault

lighting

I mentioned briefly that I received some studio lighting equipment from the US about two weeks ago. I finally got to try the equipment. It was my first time using such lighting and I definitely have a lot to learn.

I bribed Ben to be my guinea pig for this first test. It also gives me the opportunity to share them with him mum

Then I edited the photos lightly in Lightroom, Photoshop and Silver efex.

I am quite happy with the results and I cannot wait to try portraits with two lighting sources.

These shots were taken with the D300, Nikon 50mm f/1.4, photoflex QL light in medium silverdome equipped with a 500watt starlite lamp, and, white reflector.

I am unplugging for tonight to study some photo lighting theory!

Relax

time to relax – well deserved!

Chimps

Chimps – backlight

White Rhinos

It is finally in Kenya, in private reserves, that I finally had a good view of those beautiful animals that are the white rhinos.

Baby rhino is super cute.

Big rhino, after a late afternoon mud bath looks amazing.

Impalas

A nice group of impalas spotted during our walk at the Aberdare country club.

Taken With Nikon D300

Coypu (nutria) at Solio Ranch

When it was time to leave Solio Ranch we came across this create.

Hmmm. It was nowhere on the map we had bought and which depicted the birds and animals that could be found in the reserve.

So I took photos.

When we got back home, we looked in our east African Animals handbooks. Nothing.

what I first thought the reddish color on the teeth was blood was the actual color. A quick Google search led me to the coypu or nutria (ragondin in French).

Coypus are not endemic of Eastern Africa but were imported at some point for their fur. I understand that some escaped in the 1950s.

They are rodents and are considered as quite destructive of the natural habitat. I am just wondering if the Solio Game Reserve managers are aware of their presence.

Kenyan Birds

Some birds from Kenya

Peacock – They are not endemic to Kenya but can be found in posh properties in Kenya.

African Paradise Flycatcher

Grey Headed Silverbill

Tropical Boubou

Baglafecht Weaver

All taken with Nikon D300 and most with the Nikon 70-200mm 2.8VRII…

Photo Expo in Arusha

Some people complain that nothing ever happens in Arusha. it is not true. There are art exhibitions, plays, concerts, operas, workshops and much more. And we even have a movie theater (!). Last Friday I went to the photography exhibition opening of French Photographer Christophe Ratier at the Cultural Heritage Centre in our good old town of Arusha. The exhibition is entitled Maasai – The God Mountain.

The Exhibition displays 15 photographs printed on canvas taken over a period spanning more than 10 years around Volcano Lengai and Lake Natron. Christophe Ratier has travelled around Africa for many years, including several trips in Tanzania. The photos presented in this exhibition were taken on film. The prints presented are inkjet prints on canvas. 

The 15 pictures which are displayed for about two more months at the Cultural Heritage Centre Gallery depict the Maasai in their daily life and their relationship with Volcano Lengai, the sacred mountain of the Maasai.

Christophe Ratier was present during the opening on Friday and answered the questions of the visitors.

Even if I am used to see photos of this area as Ben goes there very often, I had a lot of pleasure to discover this exhibition and Christophe Ratier’s vision on the Maasai en Volcano Lengai. If you are around, go and see it!

Good read - Emergency Sex - a book about the United Nations workers

Emergency Sex (and other desperate measures) by Kenneth Cain, Heidi Postlewait and Andrew Thomson.

I do not think there are a lot of books written about UN staff members about their work. Two weeks ago, when in Nairobi, I found the following book about the experience of three UN staff members who took part in UN peacekeeping / peacebuilding missions in the 90s in Cambodia, Somalia, Haiti, Liberia, Rwanda and Bosnia. I had heard of the book but had not put my hands on it yet. It is a very interesting book about the experience, both personal and professional, of working with the UN. My understanding is that the authors got themselves in trouble with that book as they discuss the reality of their work in the field and the incompetence of people, errors and refusal to see. Criticizing the UN is not something you are supposed to do when you are a staff member. But, because I know because the UN works (I have been around it in a capacity or another for more than 15 years now), I am more critic towards states than the organization (that’s another story).

Even if I find one of the authors (H. Postlewait) sometimes quite naive, I appreciate the authenticity of their story. I think it is important that people understand the reality and the conditions of work on the ground before criticizing and stereotyping all UN workers and saying they are lazy inefficient corrupt people. It is like everywhere, you have good and bad people.

Giraffes

When in Nyeri and staying at the Aberdare Country Club, Ben and I went on a walking safari. We saw a whole group of giraffes and could photograph them from an unusual perspective.

The weather was overcast and it even rained. I tried three editing that I really like (especially the first one). Which one do you prefer?