On March 8, 2025, Vixen Excursions hosted the Vixen Free Basic Photography Masterclass at Cresta Maun, bringing together passionate photographers eager to enhance their skills. This initiative stemmed from last year’s Vixen Photography Competition, where we called on Botswana’s photographers to capture the beauty of Botswana through our lens across various categories:
- Landscape Photography
- Street Photography
- Birds & Mammals Photography
- Culture Photography
While the competition showcased incredible talent, it also revealed a gap in technical knowledge and storytelling skills. Rather than hosting another exhibition, we saw an urgent need to offer guidance and mentorship, leading to the creation of this masterclass.
Changing the Narrative: Photography as a Career
Photography in Botswana is often perceived as a hobby, however, we believe it has the potential to be a full-time career for those willing to dedicate themselves to mastering the craft. This masterclass was designed to equip participants with essential technical skills and creative confidence to take their photography to the next level.
The Masterclass Experience
We received 22 applications, with 18 participants joining us on the day. Attendees came from diverse backgrounds, including NGO professionals, street photographers, and social media managers. Ms. Tshepo Phokoje, Managing Director and Photographer at Vixen Excursions facilitated the three-hour session.
Topics Covered:
1. Understanding Your Camera
- Camera types and functions.
- Basic settings and menu navigation.
- Importance of knowing your gear.
2. The Exposure Triangle: Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO
- How they work together.
- Adjusting settings for different lighting conditions.
- Practical exercises on manual mode.
3. Composition Techniques
- Rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and symmetry.
- Creating visually compelling images.
- Understanding perspective and depth.
4. Focusing and Sharpness
- Autofocus vs. manual focus.
- Controlling depth of field.
- Avoiding blurry photos.
5. Lighting and White Balance
- Natural vs. artificial lighting.
- Adjusting white balance for accurate colors.
- Working with light direction and intensity.
6. Introduction to Different Photography Styles
- Wildlife, portrait, street, and landscape photography basics.
- Choosing the right settings for each style.
7. Q&A Session
A Huge Thank You!
We extend our deepest gratitude to Cresta Maun for their generous sponsorship, providing us with a venue and warm hospitality. Most importantly, we thank each participant for being part of this movement. Your passion and enthusiasm reinforce our belief that Botswana’s photography industry has a bright future.
This is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more photography workshops, masterclasses, and competitions as we continue to inspire and empower Botswana’s photographers!
Would you like to be part of the next Vixen Photography Masterclass? Follow us on our social media platforms and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
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