An avid photographer from Somerset West clinched top honours in the country’s premier birdlife photography competition.
The basin’s Halima Beale walked away as overall winner of the 2023 inaugural South African Birdlife Photography Competition, a brand-new photography competition launched by Birdlife South Africa, in partnership with Canon South Africa, in March.
Beale kicked dust in other competitors’ camera lenses with her award-winning photograph, depicting a sunset scene featuring the silhouette of a blue crane mirrored in the water. The image earned the talented product, lifestyle, wedding, maternity, birth and newborn photographer the overall win as well as first place in one of the main categories, Birds in the Environment.
Apart from bragging rights, the overall win bagged Beale the grand prize of an all-inclusive three-night stay for two at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, with access to costly Canon camera gear on-loan to capture all the moments as memories during the trip. The stay also included a meal at Klein Jan Restaurant, their own vehicle with a guide and tracker.
The category win, on the other hand, nabbed Beale a two-night stay at The Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, which she plans to enjoy with hubby Richard early next year, as well as a pair of Canon 12×32 IS binoculars.
“I am truly very grateful to Birdlife South Africa, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, The Oyster Box, Canon South Africa and all the amazing judges who gave me these fantastic prizes and opportunity,” said Beale, who is still reeling with disbelief.
The announcement of the winners in the photography competition took place during the 2023 instalment of the African Bird Fair, held in Johannesburg in July.
Beale, who regards herself as her own worst critic, with some motivation from her son-in-law kicked the self-doubt to the curb, took the leap of faith and entered the competition at the end of May – respectively the Birds in the Environment and Portrait categories.
The latter was won by Beale’s friend, Dionne Natalie Miles, who clinched the win with an image of a dainty swee waxbill perched on a branch.
Asked what the award means for Beale as a passionate photographer, she responded: “I think it’s validation that, maybe, I am actually good at what I do.”
Offering insight into the winning image, Beale shared that she and Richard were heading out to Witsand for a family getaway with their children and grandchildren when the stumbled across the picturesque scene.
“We were running quite late and it was already getting dark when we drove past this piece of water with the blue cranes on it, and the most magnificent sunset! The sky was on fire and it was reflecting beautifully in the water, creating this amazing silhouette of the blue crane.
“But, as it was already dark, and we were late, we continued to drive past. Then my husband said to me, ‘No, let’s go back. This is too beautiful. You have to take this picture!’ So we turned around, and I changed lenses and jumped out in the dark with my camera and took a series of pictures, and here we are! And now, my husband will never let me hear the end of it,” she shared.
Beale discovered her love for photography decades ago while putting their little point-and-shoot camera to good use, especially when enjoying the bush and wildlife. While her bread-and-butter remains mainly product and lifestyle photography, her passion though – which unfortunately doesn’t really pay the bills – is wildlife and birds.
For this photographer the makings of a great photograph is one that tells a story, has a good composition and use of depth of field, and is not overly edited. Beale shared drawing inspiration from many amazing and unbelievable wildlife and lifestyle photographers who make beautiful art.
Apart from clinching the win in this year’s Birdlife South Africa Photography Competition, Beale has been published in the How-to arts and crafts books, African Birdlife, in-flight magazines for Air Namibia, Times UK and birding reference books. In addition, she also gets to see a lot of her product and lifestyle work on online and social media platforms.
Her big photography dream is being able to earn a decent living with her passion for wildlife imagery. “ . . . and of course to be able to own a prime, 600 mm Canon lens! I don’t ask for much!” she jokingly said.
Her advice to avid amateur photographers aiming for greater heights: “Keep learning and don’t get stuck in a rut. Take the advice of the many experts out there, practice, and then make your own magic! And learn to market yourself.”
