There is a common misconception that once the sun has set over the lowveld it is time to pack away the cameras and take in the sounds and smells of the bush alone. We decided to disprove that theory and try our hands at a few images taken after dark. Next time you are somewhere and its too dark for conventional photography I hope you too will try test that aperture of yours in creating very moody and beautiful images.
This first image is an example of back lighting, we found the Sparta Pride lying in the clearing and experimented with different lighting techniques. In this particular image an additional vehicle was approaching the sighting and the head lights of the vehicle framed this isolated member of the pride in a beautifully rich, golden light.
In this case we were very fortunate to have the whole pride lying out in the open away from any usual distracting elements such as tall grass or shrubs.
The next few images are a completely different approach to photography for us as there are no animals in sight with the exception of the one shot of the lion at night! However we set out one clear evening when all the stars were out to find an area with an array of old dead leadwood trees. We wanted to capture an image of the milky way with a lead wood tree as the focal point for the foreground.
f4.0, 30 Seconds, ISO 5000 – Kate Neill
30sec, f4, ISO 3200 – Jacqui Hemphill
Adding a new dimension to the shot, we lit up the tree with a flash light for a few seconds of the exposure. f4.0, 30 Seconds, ISO 5000 – Kate Neill
It is also important to note that you must find a place with as little light from the cities as possible in order to get the full compliment of stars above you into the frame. I know this is often easier said than done but will be well worth the wait when you finally find the right spot!
30sec, f4, ISO 3200 – Jacqui Hemphill
Rich Laburn is filmmaker, photographer and writer who is based at Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa. Spending his time capturing scenes of the wild and communicating the beauty of the African bushveld, he runs the Londolozi Blog as a way to entertain and engage people wishing to visit these wild lands.
