I would like to extend a special invitation to Andy Biggs' friends, family and colleagues to be in our studio audience the day that he will be appearing  on “The View From The Bay” Monday Feb. 15th, 2010.

Meet Spencer Christian and Janelle Wang and get a chance to see the behind the scenes of a live television broadcast. Tickets for the show must be reserved in advance. Audience doors open at 2:15pm with a cut-off time of 2:30pm, the show is live from 3-4pm.  

To reserve your seats please call the ticket request line at (415)-954-7733 or visit www.viewfromthebay.com and click on “be in our audience” and fill out a ticket request form. Or click on the link below to go to our online ticket request form. Simply fill out your information and press submit.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/feature?section=view_from_the_bay&id=6337461

Please be sure to note under “comments” if you are requesting a specific date to support someone scheduled to be on the show.

I am going to be on View From the Bay, ABC channel 7 in the San Francisco bay area on Monday, February 15. Spencer Christian, who was once host of Good Morning America, hosts the show. Tune in if you are in the bay area. We will be chatting about travel photography tips. Are you interested in being in the audience? Check out this link for more information. Hopefully I can get a copy of the appearance on DVD and can post it on this blog after the show airs (if I wasn't too much of a dork).

Welcome to the African Wildlife Photography Boot Camp, intended for those who would like to learn about or improve their African wildlife photography skills. This unique safari will take place in the southern African countries of Botswana and South Africa, and will emphasize maximizing great photography and learning opportunities.

This safari will be a combination of morning and afternoon game drives, mid-day lectures, evening slide shows and critiques. We will repeat the schedule each day, working one on one with all participants to foster a better understanding of wildlife photography. We will have discussion and assistance on specialized topics such as long lens technique, projection flash usage, action shooting, wildlife observation, field craft and African animal behavior. Advanced techniques will be constantly discussed, demonstrated and put into practice. The end goal is for all participants to end up with new skills to help elevate their African wildlife photography, as well as coming home with excellent photographs.

This workshop is about shooting. Lots of shooting. We will be taking over the use of two lodges, which means we will have a completely private safari where we will relax, learn, photograph by ourselves and enjoy our surroundings. We also have secured private charter aircraft for this safari, with virtually unlimited weight allowances per person, allowing us to bring all of our camera gear.

Because of the unique location of this workshop and the luxury accommodations, this workshop adventure is open to 12 photographers as well as 4 spouses. Non-photographers will find the locales visited and the wildlife viewing opportunities to be thrilling.

Safari Highlights

* We have private vehicles throughout the entire safari, with only 1 person per row of seating (except for the sharing spouses / partners - see details below).

* A virtually unlimited amount of weight per person of up to 180 pounds. Bring as much gear as you can! Standard weight allowance is typically only 44 pounds by comparison, but we have secured extra seats on the inter-camp charters.

* This safari offers superb game viewing and photographic opportunities in some of the best areas in Southern Africa.

* This itinerary focuses on a real wildlife experience from the surroundings of your premier accommodations.

* The reserves you will visit offer an insight to the fantastic wildlife in in both of the prime areas we will visit.

* Game viewing is done in open 4x4 vehicles and you will be led by some of the leading guides in Botswana and South Africa.

The cost of this all-inclusive safari is $12,995 per person (inclusive of all airfare as described in the itinerary above). 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 intra-Africa ground and air transportation, as well as hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and all meals (meals in Johannesburg not included).

We also offer a 50% discount for a second spot if you would like to bring a guest who is willing to share a row on game drives with you or a safari tracker. The non refundable deposit for this trip 30% of the trip total.

For more details and the complete itinerary, click here.

Please email me at info@andybiggs.com if you are interested. I know that these spots won't last, especially because of the discounted 2nd spot.

The Calumet event is so a 'go', and my friend Andrew Darlow will be filling in for me. The B&H event has been canceled and we will hopefully reschedule it for another time later in the year.

Thank you for understanding. It is a very difficult time for the family right now, and home is where I need and want to be.

**Update Jan 24. Thank you for all of your private emails and prayers. My mother passed away this morning, and is now in heaven with her Lord. Please pray for peace for my father, as the coming days and months are going to be very difficult.

There is a great writeup about the background of why the wining image was believed to be under suspect circumstances. Here is a link.

Read this article on the subject at BBC News.

Andy Rouse, a wonderful wildlife photographer in his own right, has some very pointed comments here

As you may recall, I have had two winning images in the past few years in the competition. In 2008 I won the Landscape category with my aerial image of the Skeleton Coast off of the Namibian cost of Africa. The recent events really ticks me off, and I hope the photographer goes and crawls into a hole and never comes out. It puts all of us hardworking photographers that have morals into a position where we have to defend our images as people may suspect that they were taken in circumastances that are not so honorable.

Really pisses me off. Way to go, 'winner'. You need a kick in the ass. Big time.

Digital Printing A-Z presented by Andy Biggs and Moab Paper

Topics covered: ICC Profiles, demystifying color management (dos and don’ts), how to choose inkjet papers, types of printers and building the ideal digital print studio.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Calumet New York

22 W. 22nd Street

Fine Art Printing Workshop with Andy Biggs and Moab Paper

Topics covered: ICC Profiles, demystifying color management (dos and don’ts), how to choose inkjet papers, types of printers and building the ideal digital print studio. Includes Moab sample pack ($25 value).

Saturday, February 6, 2010 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Calumet San Francisco

2001 Bryant Street

September 20-30, 2010

In September 2010 John Paul Caponigro will lead a private group of photographers into Namibia's untamed wilderness areas. The goal of this safari is to photograph the breathtaking desert landscapes of Namibia. This will be a flying safari and we will maximize the time out on safari by flying from location to location. This will enable us to carry an adequate amount of camera baggage, do some aerial photography of scenic locations, and eliminate time-consuming, long drives. This will be a serious instructional safari with a strong focus on teaching in the field.

Safari Highlights

• This private flying safari covers fascinating attractions in Namibia, while enjoying much of the stunning landscapes from the air.
• We will fly to three amazing destinations in central and northern Namibia: Kolmanskop, The Namib Desert / Sossusvlei, and the incredible Skeleton Coast.
• Kolmanskop is a famous ex-diamond mining ghost town which today is fighting a losing battle against the winds and sand dunes that are enveloping it... the photography here is striking and we will make two separate visits to the ghost town to make images. Truly a photographer's dream location.
• 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 of mountain zebra, gemsbok and springbok roam the area.
• The Skeleton Coast is one of our planet's most remote locations. It is wild, desolate, uninhabited and stunningly beautiful. This is a place the will rival anything in Africa for those who enjoy the excitement of wild and remote places.
• In all the areas we visit, you will have the opportunity to spend quality photographic time.
• Personalized instruction with John Paul throughout the safari.
• Safari is limited to 11 participants.

For more detailed information on this workshop, click here. If you are interested in this exciting safari, please email me at info@andybiggs.com.

Here are some images from the locations that will be visited:

Kolmanskop deserted diamond mining town

Namib desert from our private charter plane

The dead trees at Deadvlei (Sossusvlei)

The towering dunes of Sossusvlei

Driving over and through the dunes at Skeleton Coast N.P.

Running down the dunes at Skeleton Coat N.P.

My friends at B&H have invited me again to do a talk on January 27 from 11am - 1pm. The title of my talk will be "A Year in the Life of an African Wildlife Photographer", and we are going to have a blast going through some of the places I have photographed, the experiences I have accumulated and also talk through some of the photographs I came away with. From the B&H web site:

Come and share two hours with renowned African wildlife photographer and workshop instructor Andy Biggs. Andy will share a typical year in his life as a wildlife photographer by discussing the myriad safari locations he travels to in Africa. From the wide open savannah of the Serengeti in Tanzania to the seasonal waters of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Andy will tell you how he travels from jet planes to bush planes and helicopters to Land Rovers. Receive practical advice about how to photograph wildlife and discover how Andy travels internationally to hard-to-reach locations. Andy will share his award winning photographs, along with the stories behind each image, and what equipment he used to create beautiful images.

You have to register for this event, and it may fill up very quickly as B&H is already marketing it. Here is the link:

A Year in the Life of an African Wildlife Photographer

February 25 - March 9, 2010 = Tanzania photo safari (sold out)

March 6 - 19, 2010 = Tanzania photo safari (a few spots left)

April 28 - May 2, 2010 = Arches and Canyonlands workshop (spots available, but not many)

May 15-23, 2010 = Galapagos islands workshop (sold out)

July 21-August 1, 2010 = Botswana photo safari (sold out)

August 3-12, 2010 = African Wildlife Photography Boot Camp (sold out)

October 2011 = private trip to Ethiopia (tentative)

February 20 - March 4, 2011 = Tanzania photo safari (open for booking. Please inquire)

July 4-12, 2011 = Botswana photo safari (open for booking. Details will be posted shortly)

July 12-21, 2011 = Botswana photo safari (open for booking. Details will be posted shortly)

September 2011 (dates not set yet) = Rwanda's mountain gorillas and Kenya's Masai Mara (planning stages right now)

November/December 2011 = Antarctica on a private charter with friends Seth Resnick and John Paul Caponigro. (planning stages right now. Please inquire to be put on a notification list.

Wow. Looks like my next 24 months are going to be crazy. Crazy. Crazy. And this is only my schedule. I also have safaris and workshops that are being led by other people.

I got a really late start announcing my March 6, 2010 Tanzania safari, and as a result I still have some spots available for this photographic safari. Here are some bullet points:

Dates: March 6-18, 2010

Where: Tanzania

Parks visited: Serengeti National Park (2 camp locations), Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park

Tanzania, south of Kenya on the African continent's Indian Ocean coastline, lays claim to the title Home of the Safari, since the word itself is taken from the Swahili word that means "journey." While Tanzania's Kenyan neighbors may dispute that claim, there is no doubt that Tanzania offers one of the best environments in the world for an enriching wildlife experience. The country's game viewing opportunities are considered by many to be the best in Africa. Its game parks are populated with many of the world's most exotic creatures, including all of the "Big Five." Its lakes are huge and bountiful with fish. Its cities are relaxed and friendly. Yet, to a greater degree than is true of many of its neighbors, this sprawling county, the largest in East Africa, remains untouched by the vacationing hordes.

It's About Photography — Lots of it

This workshop will be very informal and fun. I will be shooting alongside you at all times. We will have discussion and assistance on specialized topics such as, for example, long lens technique, projection flash usage, action shooting, wildlife observation, field craft and east African animal behavior. Advanced techniques will be constantly discussed, demonstrated and put into practice.

This workshop is about shooting. Lots of shooting. There will be no classroom sessions, no lectures, no slide shows, and most importantly, no unnecessary egos. We will all work closely together, sharing our knowledge and experience.

Because of the unique location of this workshop, and the luxury accommodations, this workshop adventure is open to spouses as well as photographers. Even non-photographers will find the locales visited and the wildlife viewing opportunities to be thrilling. The cost for non-photographers is the same as for active participants.

For the complete schedule and more details, you can click on this link for more information.

Please email me at andybiggs@gmail.com if you have an interest in this safari. There are only a few spots left!

• I spent 11 weeks out on safari, splitting my time between Tanzania, Namibia and Botswana. 11 weeks is a significant amount of time to spend away from home, however I did come home with amazing photographs and memories.
• Hiking and photographing with wild chimpanzees in Tanzania's Mahale Mountains National Park. Wow. Talk about a fun trip! Mahale Mountains is an extremely remote area of Tanzania, and borders Lake Tanganyika. Lake Tanganyika is the second largest fresh water lake in the world, and borders many different countries. Photographing wild chimpanzees is an experience that I will never forgot, however I am working on returning again in the next few years.
• John Paul Caponigro and I co-led a trip to Namibia, and it was my first time to visit the Skeleton Coast National Park. Although I had been to Namibia before, it was my first time to visit this very unique park. I also ran another trip in Namibia that same month to some other locations.
• I had excellent African wild dog sightings in Botswana in July, and witnessing 13 pups was a wonderful experience. I also came home with photos that I am happy with.
• Michael Clark and I teamed up for a workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico and combined field shooting at the Hot Air Balloon Fiest with indoor lectures on Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and fine art digital printing (we are doing another one in October, 2010).
• I continued my consulting work for Moab by Legion Paper, and had some lectures at places like B&H were I met new friends.
• Gura Gear really took off in 2009, and we are happy that we have many many happy customers using our first product, the Kiboko bag.
• I gave the keynote speach this year for the PDN Virtual Trade Show on digital printing, all conducted over the web.
• Troy Covey started working for Gura Gear and also my photo business, and he is an excellent sidekick and all around great guy.
• I expanded my offie space to 1,000 square feet, and now the place really looks like a better place to work.
• I setup a scholarship fund, and have already sent my first recipient to college. His name is Boniface Dallan, and he is attending wildlife management college in Tanzania. He will graduate in 18 months, and I couldn't be more proud of everything he is doing for he and his family.
• I added new technology to the studio, and now print on Epson, HP and Canon printers.
• I started offering one-on-one digital printing and workflow sessions in my studio. I had numerous appointments in the first month that I offered it, and I already have repeat customers.
• I watched our oldest son, Christian, successfully make it through potty training. :-)
• I watched our youngest son, Will, start walking and talking.
• I had my 40th birthday. Yes, I am now officially over the hill, even though I don't feel like it.

2009 was an excellent year for me, despite all of the world economy doom and gloom. All of my African photo safaris were completely sold out, my other workshops also had waiting lists and I leave behind a year that I am quite happy with. Gura Gear really surprised me, as we had a difficult time keeping up with demand for our bags. 2010 will be a great year for Gura Gear, as we have been working on some more exciting products that we will be bringing to market.

Here are some specific items that I want to accomplish in 2010:

• Spend more time with Leslie and the boys. I want to do a better job creating memories that will last a lifetime. I think I do a good job already, but I know that I can always do better.
• Expand my African photographic safari business to include new destinations. 2011 is already being planned, and I have some new locations on my schedule!
• Push my print sales business higher and higher and attract more art buyers and interior decorators.
• Write more, both for the blog and also try to get a few e-books published. I have some great knowledge and experiences that I need to share.
• Continue to learn new technologies and push myself and my own boundaries.
• I still need a personal project that I can sink my teeth into. I don't feel like I am creating much these days, and I need to make the time to create something more long-term.

Kolmanskop is a deserted mining town in the southwest corner of Namibia. The town developed after the discovery of diamonds in the area in 1908, and was there to provide shelter for workers from the harsh environment of the Namib Desert. 

The town declined after World War I as diamond prices crashed, and operations moved to Oranjemund. It was abandoned in 1956, and the desert has taken over its place as the rightful owner. Kolmanskop is popular with photographers for its scenic settings of the desert sands reclaiming this once thriving town. Due to its location within the restricted area of Sperrgebiet of the Namib desert, a permit is necessary to enter the town.

Here are few select images from the gallery. Click here to be taken directly to the gallery. Keep in mind that my print prices are heavily discounted until the end of the year, in case you would like one of these images on your wall.

John Paul Caponigro will be leading a photographic safari to Namibia in September, 2010. Click here for details.

As you may know, I launched Gura Gear last year, and I finally have a video available for all to see what my first bag, the Kiboko camera bag, is all about. It has been a thrilling 13 months since we launched the company, and we are getting great feedback from customers about their own experiences with the Kiboko bag.

Please share the video with other photographer friends, on your blog, Twitter or wherever you have an audience.

15" Apple Macbook Pro 2.4ghz Core 2 Duo (2 cores in total) with 2GB of memory. I upgraded the hard drive to 500GB. No box, small dent on a corner and well cared for. Includes a Lost Luggage neoprene sleeve, remote control and charger. Also included are two blazing fast Delkin Expresscard34 CF and SD card readers! $950.

SOLD Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8. I bought the lens from a dear friend in a complete Nikon kit, and I haven't used the lens at all. It is a Nikon Canada lens, however if you ever have an issue I can handle any repairs if needed. Normally they sell for $1600 or more used, however I have misplaced the original box and paperwork, so I am discounting the lens to compensate. This will make for an excellent buy at only $1500 shipped to USA or Canada.

Canon iPF8100 44" wide format printer. This is one heck of a beast, and I really prefer to not have to deal with the actual shipping of the printer. My preference is to find a local buyer or somebody who can arrange to have it picked up. The printer has been well taken care of, and have run only 1 set of inks through it. The new set of inks ($2k worth) was recently installed, and I have an extra Black ink still in the box. If you are not familiar with the 8100, it is the fastest printer on the market, and has both black inks installed at the same time (not like the Epson 9900 which has to swap blacks at the printhead). Printer was originally $5500 plus 485lbs for freight and will sell for $2800.

We visited 4 different locations in Namibia on that trip: Kolmanskop, Namibi Rand, Sossusvlei and Serra Cafema. LLVJ #19 contains more than 46 minutes of footage from that incredible trip. Michael and I waited to do an on-camera discussion about the trip until we were out on safari again, and that didn't happen until last September when we were in Botswana together. Yes, our Botswana safari should eventually be a Video Journal piece, as well.

As a side note, I do have a safari again to Namibia next September 2010. My friend John Paul Caponigro is leading the trip, and there is still some space available. We have no specific plans to return to Namibia beyond next year, so if you are planning your 2010 vacation or holiday schedule, this could be your ticket.

Click here to see a quick preview.

Click here for the LL checkout page to purchase the video (I have no financial interest in this or any of the videos on Lumionous Landscape).

Click here to see my September 2010 Namibia Photographic Safari.