Have you met Charmaine?

[Dahlia Ambrose]

This time around we get to know a little more about Charmaine, @joubie

• Tell us a little about yourself and your photography journey.

I am a home executive from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Many moons ago I used to work in the Bank. When our girls were very young, we moved towns every two years because of my husband’s work, hence the reason to become a stay at home mom.

As a family, we have always been passionate about going on safaris and spending time in the “bush”, and my photography started out as capturing the moments with a “point and shoot” camera.

Eleven years ago my husband surprised me with my first DSLR. It was a Canon 550D with two kit lenses. Needless to say the photography bug bit big time. Since then, I have enjoyed and treasured every moment I’ve had behind a camera lens.

• What is the best advice you have received so far regarding photography?

I have been very fortunate to have Jill Sneesby as my mentor. She is an award winning wildlife photographer, who is always willing to share her passion and knowledge. My photography has grown to where it is today because of all the nuggets of information that she has shared with me over the years.

I often remind myself of this quote by Ansel Adams “There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.”

• How do you maintain inspiration?

I love looking at photos of any genre. Every morning I will browse Instagram and various photography websites. I am totally amazed at how many gifted and talented people out there, all with different ideas and concepts. It is so inspirational and motivating.

• What is your favourite subject to shoot & why?

Wildlife and nature. I feel at home in the “bush”. Watching animals and understanding their behaviour is so natural to me. Trying to pre-empting their behaviour to capture “the moment” gives me a huge thrill and an adrenaline rush. I also enjoy trying to capture something different in nature. This takes a lot of patience to get the image I envisaged. I have sat at a waterhole for up to five hours, waiting for the scene to play out, so I can capture it.

• Do you have a favourite type of photography?

Wildlife and I enjoy monochrome.

• How would you describe your photographic journey to date?

Most of my photography and editing has been self- taught, with help along the way from my mentor, Jill. Google is King when it comes to tutorials and self-help tips. There is just so much information out there, but I filter it until I find something that suites my style of photography and editing.

• Are you currently involved with any photography projects? If so, what?

Over the last year I have worked on obtaining my FPSSA honours. I had to submit a cohesive panel of 25 images to a panel of 8 judges, thank goodness they all passed on my 4th and last attempt. I also worked towards my EFIAP Honours which I obtained 4 months ago.

I am now working on a photobook on our trips to the Kgalagadi Park.

• If you could only use one camera/lens combination for a year, which would you choose?

My Canon 80D with 70-200 f2.8 Lens

• What is your favourite image right now?

o My Image:

Telling the kids off

o Someone else’s image:

Long Road Ahead by Dewald Tromp. I am very envious of this image and I would love to have it hanging on my wall.

• Is there a photographer that inspires you?

Wildlife Photographer David Lloyd.

• What is your biggest challenge when it comes to photography?

I tend to get so caught up in the moment that I forget to change the camera settings.

• Is there anything specific you intend to learn or improve in your photography?

I am always learning on how to improve my editing and looking at ways to take unusual wildlife images.

• Provide links to 3 or 4 of your favourite images that can be displayed with the interview

Trunks, I have one too

Elephant dust bath

Who me

cc: @admin

Here is a list of our members who were featured in the past if you would love to read. I have attached a link to their profile and their interview.

Diane Wehr   @albirder : Introducing Diane Wehr

Tobie   @tobiepsg : Introducing Tobie

Rob Eyers  @reyers   : Introducing Rob Eyers

Duncan Stewart  @falxy : Introducing the Falx

John Thompson  @nikon-nut : Introducing Nikon nut 

Valery  @valeryp  : Introducing Valery

Tom Dinning  @tomdinning : Introducing Tom Dinning

Christina Brown  @Chrissiebee : Introducing Chrissie Bee

Bobbie  @bobbie : Introducing Bobbie

Gordon James  @gordonjames : Introducing Gordon James

Chris Pook  @chrispook  : Have you met Chris Pook?

Erik Fransman  @erik-fransman : Have you met Erik Fransman?

Gary Zerbst  @garyzerbst  : Have you met Gary Zerbst?

Allen Furst  @3pco : Have you met Allen Furst?

Jim  @Mistyisle : Have you met Jim?

Frogdaily  @frogdaily : Have you met Frogdaily?

Robert Apple  @robertapple : Have you met Robert Apple?

Steve Matten  @stevematten : Have you met Steve Matten?

Cornelia Acorn  @corneliaacorn : Have you met Cornelia Acorn?

Gray B  @grayb : Have you met Gray B?

Dahlia Ambrose  @dahliaambrose : Have you met Dahlia Ambrose?

Patrick @patrickw : Have you met Patrick?

Dave  @pentaxfan : Have you met Dave?

Peter  @peternowak : Have you met Peter?

Beaky @ozride : Have you met Beaky?

Graham Hart @diripics : Have you met Graham?

Daniel Krueger @drkrueger22: Have you met Daniel?

Jasenka @jasenkag : Have you met Jasenka?

Astaroth @astaroth : Have you met Astaroth?

Joanne Van Praag @vanpraag : Have you met Joanne?

Leanne Cleaveley @leannecleaveley : Have you met Leanne?

David Chesterfield @dchester1001 : Have you met David?

Patricia Garrett @PAToGraphy : Have you met Pat?

Beth @loki : Have you met Beth?

Elin @elax : Have you met Elin?

Greg @glegg : Have you met Greg?

John @johnteate : Have you met John?

Paul @paul-3 : Have you met Paul?

[Patrick]

Great read Dahlia thank you very much for this 🙂

Charmaine thank you so much for sharing some of your photography background , i am always blown away with your images every time i see them. Congratulations on obtaining  your FPSSA + EFIAP honours 🙂 Best wishes with the photobook , thank you for sharing some of your beautiful photos with this interview 🙂

[Dahlia Ambrose]

You’re welcome Patrick 🙂

[Federico Alegria]

Oh my! I’ve been long waiting for this one, thanks a lot @dahliaambrose

[Dahlia Ambrose]

You’re welcome Federico 🙂

[Dave Watkins]

Hi Charmaine. Your photographic work is exceptional. A wonderful talent. I’ve enjoyed all the images you’ve posted here. Looking forward to seeing more.

[Robert Apple]

Thanks for the share Charmaine, good to know more about your journey.

[Pat Garrett]

@joubie Charmaine I have long been in awe of images you created. Whether portraits of animals or people, your expertise captures the very essence of their souls and their being. Wonderful work. Thanks for sharing yourself and your images.

[Patrick]

fully agree with that Pat , well said 🙂

[Marty E]

Wonderful to get to know more about you, Charmaine! Your photos are so inspiring, I am always struck by the quality of light and the magical moments of beauty you capture with animals. Thank you for sharing your world with us!

[Charmaine Joubert]

Thank you everyone for taking time to reply and comment the post. I am humbled by the beautiful words that each of you have written. Thank you Dahlia for all the behind the scenes work that you put in.

[Dahlia Ambrose]

You’re welcome Charmaine. Thank you for taking part 🙂

[Beaky]

@joubie Thanks for sharing Charmaine, I do enjoy seeing your work, so please keep sharing! I do hope you still have your 550D…… I have one too, I bought in 2011 and still amazed at some of the shots it produces. It lives on the back seat or in my saddle bags 🙂 Again thanks for sharing your story and keep up the amazing work!

[Author]

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