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About Andy

 

I am an avid adventurer, conservationist, teacher, and outdoor photographer whose photography celebrates the African landscape and its rich wildlife, people, and culture. My photographic safaris allow my travelers to not only enhance their understanding of photography, lighting, and wildlife, but to develop a life-long admiration for Africa ‘s beauty and culture.

Banana Republic recently used my photographs as the cornerstone of their Urban Safari campaign, and my images were seen in all 750 stores around the globe, as well as in their billboards, catalogs and annual report. I was also the winner of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in the ‘Wild Places’ category in 2008 and a highly commended in the ‘Creative Visions of Nature’ category in 2007.

I launched Gura Gear in 2008, in an attempt to deliver lightweight camera bags to the market. I was looking for a lightweight camera bag to hold all of my photographic gear, and there was nothing desirable on the market that suited my needs. After spending 2 years with many prototypes, the Gura Gear Kiboko bag was born. More products are now available on the Gura Gear web site.

 

 

 

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Tuesday
Jun182013

Gura Gear Around The World: The Monarch Bataflae

 

Me with the Gura Gear Monarch Bataflae 32L in Kenya

I just got back from a superb triplet of safaris in east Africa, where I took our Gura Gear Monarch Bataflae on its maiden voyage. So what is the Monarch Bataflae you ask? The Monarch Bataflae is a Gura Gear 32L Bataflae camera bag, in grey, and it will be traveling around the world with different photographers as hosts. Since its inception, Gura Gear has focused its efforts on photography backpacks for the traveling photographer. The original bag featured a butterfly style opening. After many phases of design, the bag has evolved into what is now the Bataflae. The 26 and 32 liter Bataflae bags still retain the same butterfly style opening capability.

I had the Monarch Bataflae for 4 weeks in Africa, and it is heading to some new locations with Joshua Holko next. We want your help to get the bag to as many places in the world as possible. (Applications are now open! Click here to apply.) We will open up applications for anyone who wants to take the bag on a trip to wherever it is you go! You will also be able to sign your name inside the bag next to the pros you’ve always looked up to.

During my travels with the Monarch Bataflae, I carried the following gear inside:

 

  • Nikon D800
  • Nikon 400mm f/2.8 VR
  • Nikon 1.4x TC
  • Phase One DF camera with an IQ160 digital back
  • Phase One Schneider 240mm lens
  • Sony RX-100

 

 


The Monarch Bataflae


Tuesday
May072013

Talks At Google - From Silicon Valley to the Serengeti

Google recently invited me to give a talk on my African wildlife photography, my photo safari business and how I transformed my former life as a software consultant into what I do today. I called my presentation From Silicon Valley to the Serengeti. Enjoy!

Monday
May062013

Testimonial from Stephen Starkman

Stephen joined me in Iceland recently, and this is what he wrote to me:

Andy, what a terrific (and productive!) tour we had in Iceland with yourself, Josh Holko and Daniel Bergmann this March. I think we experienced every kind of weather (well, nothing a palm tree would feel comfortable in) shot in amazing locations and saw incredibly beautiful scenery. For me, shooting the northern lights was particularly memorable - a first in my photographic career. The tour was a great success! As before, when I travelled with you to Namibia, I was particularly impressed by your enthusiasm and dedication to each member, helping them achieve the best images they can. I for one am particularly pleased with some of the images I came away with, thank you once again!

Here are some absolutely superb photos from Stephen from our Iceland trip:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday
Apr292013

Namibia Overland Photographic Journey, April 2014

Namibia Overland Photographic Journey
March 29 - April 7, 2014
and
April 8 - 17, 2014

 

Deadvlei

 

I will be co-leading a group with Joshua Holko to the Namibia desert in Namibia, Africa. The goal of this safari is to photograph the breathtaking desert landscapes of Namibia in a different way than how I have offered my Namibia trips in the past: in an overland fashion. This will be an overland photographic journey, and we have complete flexibility to stop to take photographs at any time along the way. We wanted to put this trip together that has a good balance between flexibility, photographic opportunities and comfortable accommodations. This approach will also enable us to carry more than enough amount of camera baggage, so bring what you need!

On the South Western Coast of Africa, where the icy Atlantic ocean meets the world’s oldest desert lies a place that is known for its landscapes as much as the Serengeti is known for its abundant wildlife. The unique combination of desert, grassland and cold ocean current form a one-of-a-kind terrain found only here. For this reason landscape photographers from all over the world flock to the Namib Desert to try and capture its ethereal beauty.

In this captivating region of Namibia lies a maze of mountainous valleys that look like they were carpeted from slope to slope by ivory colored grass, criss-crossed by ancient riverbeds and dotted with a collection of photogenic acacia trees. The final unique touch is added by the large snake like dunes that rise from the grasslands like the roof of some subterranean world. These stark and compelling landscapes are something to behold with the human eye, but when it’s sweeping meadows, barren mountains and blood red dunes are captured and transformed into a two dimensional image, it becomes obvious why this place is so beautifully addictive to photographers.

Highlights

– This private overland safari covers fascinating attractions in Namibia while enjoying a relaxed pace along the way.

– We will enjoy four amazing destinations in central and southern Namibia: Sossusvlei, the Namib Rand, the deserted mining town of Kolmanskop and the ancient quiver tree forest near Keetmanshoop.

– The Namib Desert may well be the world’s oldest desert. The apricot-colored dunes at Sossusvlei are some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. Herds gemsbok and springbok roam the area.

– In all the locations you will have the opportunity to spend quality photographic time.

– Finish on a high note in the magnificent sand dunes of Sossusvlei.

– Limited to only 10 participants.

The cost of this all-inclusive trip is U.S. $7,950 per person (but not inclusive of airfare to Windhoek, Namibia). The same rate applies for each participant regardless of whether they are doing photography and participating in the workshop, or not. This fee includes all in-country ground and air transportation as well as hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and all meals.

A 30% deposit of U.S. $2,325 (per person) will be required when you register. A second payment of $1,500 will be due on October 1, 2013 and the balance of $3,925 will be due no later than  February 1, 2014. If we have to cancel the trip for any reason you will receive a full refund of all monies paid to that date.

Please note: This trip is designed for photographers. Though non-photographer spouses are of course welcome, and alternate activities will be scheduled if possible, our primary emphasis will be traveling to the best locations for the best light, and this will often mean long days of both travel and shooting.

You should therefore only consider joining this expedition if you are a passionate photographer willing to put yourself out a bit. This is not a vacation sightseeing trip, but rather is a trip designed for those who’ll go the extra mile (or kilometer) to get the images they’ve been dreaming about.

Please contact me at info@andybiggs.com. You can see the entire day by day itinerary:

Namibia Overland Photographic Journey 2014

 

Kolmanskop

 

The Namib Rand

Monday
Apr082013

Nik Software bundle is now only $149

 

Some great news while I was away in Iceland. Nik Software’s budle is now only $149, which used to be $499. Now we get everything included with the $149 price, whether you want the plugins for Lightroom, Aperture or Photoshop. This is awesome news. I use Nik Software’s plugins on most of my images, and I usually use Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 4 and Silver Efex Pro 2 as my main ones. If you have purchased only 1 of the plugins in the past, you are now eligible to upgrade to all of the entire suite for free. Very cool.

Nik Collection is now $149

 

Wednesday
Mar202013

Fine Art Photo Processing Sessions!

I have been doing 1-on-1 sessions for quite a few years now, and the best feedback I have received from past participants is a willingness to spend more time in my studio past 1 day, without breaking the bank. Well, here is my plan for the rest of 2013 with this feedback in mind.

The Plan

I am going to host a series of 3-day Fine Art Photo Processing Sessions in my studio in Houston. Each session will be limited to only 2 or 3 people each. We will work diligently on the processing of creating the absolute best quality images and prints possible. We will work on color images. We will work on images for black and white. And we will create proof prints and large prints alike. And you will go home with a large number of prints.

 

 

What Is Included

These 3-day sessions will include mid-day meals, all materials including ink and paper, and all you need to do is show up. I do prefer you show up with your own computer, as we will optimize your machine for the best color possible, which you will enjoy when you are back in your own environment. I have a *ton* of printing equipment from 13” printers all the way up to 44”. I am likely to have your exact printer model if you are using Epson, Canon or HP printers.

The Cost

These sessions are $1,450 each. I normally charge $950 per day, and since we will work in small groups I am able to reduce the price significantly.

Other Information

Here are just some of the topics we will cover:

  • Color management
  • Lightroom processing and workflow
  • The use of Nik Software plugins
  • Soft proofing
  • Black and white image processing and how to create dynamic B&W prints
  • What to look for in a good print and how to correct
  • Paper choices
  • Print sharpening
  • Upsizing and sharpening files for large format output
  • Editing images for a portfolio

The Dates

 

  • April 12-14 (only 1 space remaining)
  • April 26-28 (only 1 space remaining)
  • July 26-28 (sold out)
  • September 20-22 (sold out)
  • October 11-13 (2 spaces remaining)

 

How To Signup

Just email me at info@andybiggs.com and I can send you an invoice and additional details such as hotel recommendations. That’s it! I hope you will join me for some exciting times in my studio.

 

 

Tuesday
Mar052013

New Nikon 80-400mm! f/4.5 - 5.6 G ED VR

 

 

It’s about time we had a replacement for the Nikon 80-400mm, and this looks like a worthy upgrade. I bought the original one when it came out back in 2001, and I never liked the lens. I sold it due to the atrociously slow autofocus. It is great to see that Nikon is updating this lens, which is a fantastic focal range for those wildlife photographers who don’t want to commit to larger and heavier (and more expensive) lenses. 

 

Press Release

MELVILLE, N.Y. (March 4, 2013) – Today, Nikon Inc. introduced the AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, a versatile FX-format telephoto zoom lens designed to provide top-class performance and a long reach for a variety of shooting scenarios. Sporting a long 5x zoom range, the 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G is capable of capturing vivid colors with exquisite sharpness, whether shooting stills or HD video. Ideal for sports and nature photography, the addition of the AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR reaffirms Nikon’s commitment to providing a stable of lensing options for all types of photographers.

“Nikon’s next generation of the 80-400mm lens gives advanced photographers yet another top-quality NIKKOR lens to help capture every precise moment with intense detail and exceptional clarity,” said Bo Kajiwara, Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Customer Experience, Nikon Inc. “It’s a one lens solution that combines a versatile 5x zoom range, long focal length and core Nikon technologies to help create beautiful stills and HD video.”

High-Performance, High-Power Zoom Nikon’s newest telephoto zoom lens features a versatile 80-400mm focal length (5x zoom equivalent) that offers photographers a high-power FX-format lensing option to help capture stunning stills and HD video. Whether birding or shooting from the stands, the lens is also compatible with DX-format bodies to extend the maximum reach to 120-600mm (35mm equivalent). Additionally, alongside a 1.4x teleconverter, the lens can be expanded to an f/8 aperture to retain compatibility with the AF system on the most recent Nikon D-SLR cameras.

The AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is loaded with essential NIKKOR technologies to help ensure top performance for the advanced photographer, including Vibration Reduction (VR) allowing for up to four stops of image stabilization while Auto tripod detection VR allows for effortless stabilization when mounted on a tripod. The lens sports Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat to prevent ghost and flare, a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) to ensure fast and quiet AF operation, and two focusing modes including M/A (AF with manual override) and M (manual). A new optical formula features 20 elements in 12 groups and includes one Super ED Glass Element and four ED glass elements for maximum clarity in a wide variety of shooting environments.

You can pre-order the lens over at B&H.

Saturday
Mar022013

Resource Magazine Winter 2013

 

Resource Magazine has some imagery and text from me in their Winter 2013 issue. It’s a photographers’ travel guide to Botswana, and if you have the time check it out.

Resource Magazine Winter 2013