Photographer: David Kleinert
Shooting subject: Wildlife, Landscape
Equipment: Canon EOS 30D, Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM lens, Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens, Canon Speedlite 430EX, Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW camera bag.
My interest in nature photography began while studying environmental science at university. Now based in Bendigo, Victoria, I spend many hours in the bush photographing native fauna and flora. Birds, insects and wildflowers are some favourite subjects of mine, however I also enjoy capturing the various landscapes around country Victoria and NSW.
Since starting my photoblog in 2005, I have developed a strong passion for wildlife photography and one day hope to make a career out of it. Over the past two years my photos have been used in environmental magazines, wildlife field guides, calendars, Web sites or sold as prints. In 2007 I was a winner in the international Photobloggies Awards for "best animal photography" and was also added in to the Photoblogs.org Hall of Fame.
Swamp sunsetThis photo of a sunset at Campbell's Swamp in Griffith is one of my favourite landscape shots. I decided to use a long focal length (400 mm) to capture a larger sun and to get more detail in the tree and bird silhouettes.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/200 sec : f 5.6 : 400 mm : ISO 100
A native Bee feeding on the pollen of a Coral Pea flower. I took the photo recently at One Tree Hill in Bendigo. I used the 100 mm macro (handheld) for the shot.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/125 sec : f/3.5 : 100 mm : ISO 160
I used my car as a hide to photograph this swamp wallaby. I was actually parked beside a dam photographing birds when this unexpected wallaby came along for a drink.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/125 sec : f 5.6 : 400 mm : ISO 100
A dragonfly that I photographed in my backyard. I used my 100 mm macro lens and a tripod to capture the image. I decided on a portrait composition so I could show more detail in the head/eyes.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/320 sec : f 5.6 : 100 mm : ISO 100
This sunrise photo was taken at Lake Eppalock, Victoria. A tripod and slower shutter speed were used to capture the image.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/4 sec : f 5.6 : 48 mm : ISO 100
I photographed this Black-Shouldered Kite late one afternoon on a roadside near Griffith. I was able to get the car quite close and took the photo from out the window. Using the car as a hide can be a great technique when photographing birds.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/1000 sec : f 5.6 : 400 mm : ISO 100
A close-up portrait of an Eastern Yellow Robin, taken in the Otway Forest, Victoria. I used flash in this photo due to the dull conditions.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/60 sec : f/5.6 : 400 mm : ISO 200 : flash fired
This photo of a Red-bellied Black Snake is one of my favourite wildlife images. It was taken at a swamp in Gunbower Forest. To get close enough for the shot I ended up in the water with the snake.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/320 sec : f 5.6 : 400 mm : ISO 160
An Eastern Common Froglet that I came across in Gunbower Forest, Victoria. With macro photos such as this I like to get down low to create a more appealing background and also to isolate the subject.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/100 sec : f 8 : 100 mm : ISO 100
Red-capped Robins are one of my favourite birds -- this male was captured near Griffith in NSW. These birds are quite shy and it took quite some time to get this shot.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/250 sec : f/5.6 : 400 mm : ISO 160
I took this photo of a male Superb Fairy-wren from a bird hide in Mathoura, NSW. Fairy-wrens can be quite a challenge to photograph as they are small, shy and always on the move. Using the hide was a great help and I managed to get at least 30 decent photos of the same bird. The photo was taken using my 100-400 mm lens.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/400 sec : f 7.1 : 400 mm : ISO 160
A female Superb Fairy-wren that I recently photographed in the Kamarooka Forest. By making bird type noises I was able to attract her quite close to where I was sitting, enabling me to get a couple of sharp photos. I like the uncluttered background in this particular shot and the detail captured in the eye.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/250 sec : f/5.6 : 400 mm : ISO 160
This sunset photo was taken at Lake Beeac, Victoria. The shallow waters created a beautiful reflection and the exposed rocks seemed to make a path toward the disappearing sun.
Image details: Canon 30D : 1/125 sec : f 8 : 55 mm : ISO 100
This photo of a Black Swan was taken at a reservoir in Bendigo with my Canon 300D. It was late in the day and the light was producing great reflections. The swan was busy feeding when I took the photo and as it pulled its head from the water I managed to capture the water dripping from the bill.
Image details: Canon EOS 300D : 1/320 : f5.6 : 260mm : ISO 100
I photographed this large grasshopper near Griffith in NSW. Using my Canon 100 mm macro lens I experimented with a number of compositions. This particular image stood out because of the almost human like expression on the grasshoppers face.
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/250 sec : f/5 : 100 mm : ISO 100
I followed this Shining Bronze Cuckoo for quite some time to get this image. Eventually it landed on an open branch only metres away. Due to poor light I decided to use some fill flash to bring out the detail in the plumage. The photo was taken with the 100-400 mm lens (handheld).
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/60 sec : f/5.6 : 400 mm : ISO 100 : flash fired
I recently photographed this immature Pallid Cuckoo near Bendigo. Using my 100-400 mm lens (handheld) I was able to get quite close and ended up with a nice sharp image. It was surprising how close I got to the cuckoo before he flew off -- sometimes you get lucky when photographing birds!
Image details: Canon EOS 30D : 1/320 sec : f/6.3 : 400 mm : ISO 100