My interest in photography has started during my school years already when I got a very old Yashica Mat camera from my dad as well as some ancient darkroom equipment. The experience of seeing my first pictures magically appear in the developer tray in the dim light of the darkroom light got me hooked on this ‘photography’ thing forever. In the beginning it is all about spending available money on film and paper; and then there was the fortnightly trips to our local photographer in town (‘oom Besie Clack’) to collect all his throw away chemicals, which was, for me anyway, good for at least another week or so. Photographing and selling to local people on the farm and at school earned a few bucks to pay for the odds and ends to keep the ‘business’ going.
 

In a makoro in Zambia at Liuwa Plains. Photo by Abel Mambwe (abbegapix@yahoo.co.uk)

Halfway up to the three towers at Torres Del Paine in Chile

Unfortunately, as with all things technological, things progress and inevitably costs money; and with modern wildlife photography: lots of money. Nowadays I head for the bush with literally hundreds of thousands of rands worth of camera and computer equipment and vehicles that are equipped to handle huge lenses and power up all the electronic goodies required for the modern photographer. But at least now I can share much of my experience with other enthusiastic wildlife and nature photographers of all skill levels as I take them on trips especially tailored to suit their needs and equipment.

 

On a beach in Antarctica photographing Antarctic seabirds

Camping in Kaokoland, Northern Namibia

Having been published in several magazines and books all over the world or winning awards has its rewards (it is a great feeling when you open a magazine or book and see your work there) but this is not just another job; it is an absolute passion and a way of life.