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Chensa

Serengeti - Mom and Baby

Crossing the Serengeti, there are times when you go fast and sometimes slow. Regardless of speed, the looks the animals give the “metal horse” are priceless...
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Crossing the Serengeti, there are times when you go fast and sometimes slow. Regardless of speed, the looks the animals give the “metal horse” are priceless. Some are endearing, like this one, others funny, and some even intimidating. This picture, to me, captured that, the amazing safari experience, and all of nature’s cycle of life.
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SONY ILCE-7M3

settings

Aperture 63/10 ISO 160 Shutter 1/250 Focal Length 209/1

upload_date

Nov, 2022

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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken on safari in the Serengeti, which was the third area we'd been to. The others being Amboseli and Maasai Mara. These zebras were among a number of other zebras and wildebeests under a tree. Luckily for me, these two looked up directly into my camera as the truck stopped.

Time

The photo was taken, on October 7th, towards the late afternoon, I remember the sun being very strong, but there were several zebras and wildebeests resting under the shade of a tree.

Lighting

Photography is hobby I love and am constantly learning about. Lighting has allowed me to experiment with the different apertures as well as composition. You just have to keep playing with it. The day and time I took this picture gave me the perfect exposure. Between the bright sun, shade of the tree and the speckle of light coming through the tree, I was able to limit any post adjustments with the exception of turning the picture into black & white and just a little more contrast.

Equipment

The camera I used was a Sony a7iii mirrorless with a Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 telephoto lens on a converter. No tripod, flash or filter were used.

Inspiration

Having visited Amboseli first, the Serengeti presented a sharp contrast. Amboseli was dry due to drought and the animals looked more emaciated compared to the healthy and robust population in the Serengeti. Whereas Amboseli displayed a number of carcasses, the Serengeti was overwhelmed by the number of foals, pups, kits, calves, etc. It struck me how vastly different two closely located places could be and how nature plays such a huge part in the circle of life.

Editing

The natural lighting did most of the work. Besides changing the color picture to monochrome and minor adjustments to contrast, I didn't have to do much.

In my camera bag

Normally I have several lenses (50mm, wide angle, and a normal telephoto), but on this trip I rarely used anything other than the super telephoto. Because it spanned 18-400mm and the chances to capture interesting shots were so fast, I didn't have the time to switch out lenses. Due to weight limits on the small planes, I couldn't bring a second camera besides my phone (iPhone 12 Pro Max). Normally, I would have the following: polarizing filter, variable ND filter, small cleaning kit, lens hood, remote, extra battery, several SD cards (128-256GB), tripod, and power bank.

Feedback

The thing I've learned most shooting animals is how difficult to capture a certain emotion in a picture. It's most difficult when you're far away. Most times, close ups help translate that feeling a lot easier. Whenever possible, I would suggest zooming into an animal. Whether it be the eyes of a predator, the whites of their fangs or tusks, the movement of fur, or even the tear dripping down, it gives the viewer a sense of being up close and personal with an animal, something that is rare and precious. I am by no means an expert and I find myself learning with every photo. I'm always wanting and welcoming constructive criticism to see something differently or do something better.

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Chensa

Chensa

Serengeti - Mom and Baby

Crossing the Serengeti, there are times when you go fast and sometimes slow. Regardless of speed, the looks the animals give the “metal horse” are priceless... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Chensa

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Crossing the Serengeti, there are times when you go fast and sometimes slow. Regardless of speed, the looks the animals give the “metal horse” are priceless...
Read more

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