WATERHOLE ACTION
Aperture 4/1 ISO 800 Shutter 625/1000000 Focal Length 200/1 
Sep, 2017Views
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Contest Finalist in Wildlife On The Move Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was shot from Kumasinga Hide, popular with photographers and birders visiting Mkuzi game reserve in northern Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.Time
Waterholes in the Kwazulu natal thornbush are generally most active late mornings from about 10 am to mid-day. This was shot at around 10:30 as activity around the waterhole was beginning to pick up, with herds of antelope mingling and jostling around the water.Lighting
Usually the African sun makes for harsh lighting, but a bit of cloud helps to soften the hard shadows. here some low cloud in the eastern sky creates a nice full light with great tonal ranges.Equipment
D3 Nikon with 200~400mm f4 VRII lens shooting off a beanbag in a hide.Inspiration
The African savanna and bushveld is its own inspiration. Just the opportunity of being present in the wilderness as it unfolds around a camera is inspirational in ever sense of the word.Editing
to bring out the mid-tones I made four exposure masks and combined them into a single imageIn my camera bag
a pair of Nikon D3's, prime lenses; 24mm f2.8, 55mm f3,5 macro, 500mm f5.6 mirror, zoom lenses; 14~24mm f2.8, 80~200mm f2.8, 200~400mm f4.Feedback
Patience is it's own reward in the wilderness. Long periods of inactivity are punctuated by short bursts of intensity. Often they are over almost as soon as they begin. I Always tryn to be prepared for the interesting interactions which occur inter-species and intra-species, by watching the behaviors and interactions which ebb and flow. Predicting behaviours, and anticipating moments allows me to prepare for action before it happens.
