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Bruna Mentrup posted in the group Wildlife Photography
Continuation: Capture Wildlife In Low Light
“Night Stalker (Leopard)”
1/320sec – f/5 – ISO 1000 – Nikon D750 – Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 (Focal Length 200mm) – Flash for fill-in light – Manual Mode – Camera SupportOur wildlife discussion for October is shooting wildlife in low light. It includes dealing with no available light (nighttime) and using off-camera light or flash. In wildlife photography, you will often have to make a decision. Lose the shot or deal with the noise factor. In reality, you captured a special moment, and the image will not print well, referring to my picture today.
—It can be very tricky most of the time. The reasons for that are we need speed and light the ISO setting low to avoid noise, which is challenging to master. The other problem we must consider is the colour of the Game Rangers spotlight. Is it white light or yellow light? This factor has an impact on your camera settings and thinking process.
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My thought process: I will have to use flash; however, my flash could overexpose the white colour on my subject. I noticed the game ranger’s spotlight is yellow. We all heard something moving in the bush behind us; the game ranger pointed his beautiful yellow light towards the noise. Our distance from where the noise came from, and the ranger shined his light, allowed me to select a tighter lens (I would have been in trouble if it turned out to be an Elephant)—with 70-200mm, covered small or medium-sized animals. My camera, mounted on a secure bracket, allowed me to keep my speed low for extra light. My choice of f/stop is sufficient with a 400mm focal length and allows some detail towards the tree to the left. I pointed my on-camera flash to the top for some fill-in light and took advantage of the Ranger yellow light. Please use this October to share your low-light images in our wildlife group.
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Bruna Mentrup
TUTOR
I started my wildlife photography journey with nothing but a passion for capturing what I had seen unfold before me for years.
Determined I could achieve that, I set out with the most basic equipment, and eventually, my efforts were rewarded.
I, fortunately, love travel and being in my own company, so I spend months on the road in perfect partnership with the animals, great light, and the landscape. My confidence grew, and my images started to speak for themselves; so did my range of equipment, as did the awards.
My proudest moment was being made a Licentiate by the Photography Society of South Africa. I take so much pride in the steps I have taken, and it gives me such joy to see my work in magazines and hanging on walls of game lodges across Africa.
My philosophy is that anyone can acquire technical skills in photography. Still, you need heart, passion and a deep connection with what is around you to capture the finest of what Mother Nature has on offer.
Thank you, everyone, for the likes; remember, the wildlife theme for October is shooting in low light. Feel free to share some of your images.