ViewBug community member A-Kamermans shares an interesting tip and the insight behind an image we all love. Read along and enjoy!
1. A-Kamermans, where did you take this photo?
This photo was taken in Kenya's Masai Mara national park.
2. What time of day?
The best time of the day for these wildlife images are early in the morning, or late in the afternoon, during these times the animals are more active.
3. Anything worth sharing about lighting?
Actually no, for this photo I was not really in charge of the lighting. I was at the mercy of the weather and the driver of the jeep.
4. What equipment did you use?
This was shot on a Canon 5D MkII, for this trip I bought a second-hand Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens. My initial idea was to sell the lens after the trip. But during this trip I fell in love with this lens, and unsurprisingly, I still have the lens in my possession.
5. What inspired you to take this photo?
There was this big herd of zebras and Wildebeest that just arrived from the great migration from Tanzania, from a distance all the animals look and act the same. I wanted to highlight an individual, there was this split moment where this one zebra was looking up, while the rest was busy grazing, this was the moment that I was looking for.
6. Did you do any post-processing?
I do post processing on almost every photo, for that I use the build in camera raw function of Photoshop CC. Most of the time this only consists out of the basic with balance adjustments and slight changes in exposure and contrast.
7. Any advice for others trying to capture something similar?
Zoom in. Instead of trying to capture the whole herd of animals. Try to zoom in on individuals. I think this image would have been even nice if the depth of field was shallower. This would isolate the zebra in the centre more.
8. What equipment do you normally have in your bag?
I don’t own a lot of equipment, so most of the time I can bring everything. First thing I pack is my Canon 5D MkII with the 24-70mm f/2.8L lens. This is my basic setup. Then I always toss in the canon 50mm f1.8 in the bag, it is so light and tiny that there is always room for that little lens. Then I have a wide angle lens (17-40mm f/4L) and a telephoto lens (100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L). also I have two canon speedlite flashes with a wireless transmitter.
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