Water can be an incredible medium to shoot wildlife photographs because of its importance to animals in the African bush or anywhere in nature really. Water sustains but also the character it can add to what you are about to capture.
There are one or two things to consider that could possibly enhance your image when you come across a wildlife subject around water.
A perfectly symmetrical reflection of one of the young Tsalala lions. Captured as soon as it started drinking to try and avoid the water surface being disturbed by the lion lapping it up.
An undisturbed body of water is a powerful tool and something that can add huge value to an image. Keep this in mind and be careful when composing shots with the option of a reflection – try not to cut this off.
Landscapes can be equally appealing.
The patterns and textures created by droplets and splashes can be captured in many different ways. A high shutter speed is necessary to freeze the droplets as gravity takes hold and they begin to fall. If there is a great deal of movement with a subject crossing or playing in water, it can easily become a touch blurred and lose effect unless that is the intent. A very slow shutter speed, especially under overcast conditions can be effective.
Freezing droplets in bright light is very effective.
A moment like this is best captured using a high shutter speed, to freeze the playful gesture of this elephant just enjoying the water.
Tough low light conditions forced me to experiment a little. The water almost has a firework effect to it as it moves along while the shutter stays open a fraction.
A similar effect in the same sighting.
As the rains continue to fall small puddles will become more and more prevalent in the bush. These provide easy access to water for animals wanting to quench their thirst and amazing opportunities for us to capture them drinking.
The marthly male quenching his thirst. Make sure to level the water in your photo. Eyes in photography try and aim to have eye contact and your subject’s tongue out in a drinking shot.
Written and photographed by Simon Smit
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.
