SafariGuru_Deon

Photo

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

settings

Aperture f/5.6 ISO 320 Shutter 1/500 Focal Length 300/1

upload_date

Dec, 2018

Views

1247

Likes

+303

Awards

Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 40

Peer Award

+94

Absolute Masterpiece

+23

Magnificent Capture

+21

Top Choice

+15

Superb Composition

+13

Outstanding Creativity

Virtuoso

Superior Skill

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Gorgeous

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Beautiful,

Awesome image!

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

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Behind The Lens

Location

I was staying at Kings Pool Safari Camp in the far northern region of wild Botswana; an area called Linyanti. Every year flocks of these spectacular Carmine Bea-Eaters come to the area to bread, and they choose to nest in burrows in the ground. The soft sand makes for the perfect environment; however, this style of breeding also has its risks: snakes, monitor lizards and birds of prey frequent the nest sites to capitalise on the easy pickings. If you know what time of year, and have enough patience to lay close to the nesting site flat on the ground, you might be lucky enough to witness the flock containing thousands of birds, act in unison as they avoid danger from above!

Time

I would generally choose to shoot any wildlife as close to sunrise as possible, or nearest sunset. It's a careful balance when photographing these colourful birds as their flight patterns are explosive as they avoid predation from above. As their breeding pattern is in early summer before the rains, one has only a concise window of opportunity before it becomes too hot of the day in Botswana for any animal species. This particular image was taken at 7:26 am, but one must keep their wits about them when laying flat on the ground to obtain best angles, as this area has a very high density of lions lurking at that time of the morning.

Lighting

Between 7 am and 8 am in this region of Africa it is already very light, and the heat is already pounding down. Although it is so bright, I would often try and slow down my shutter as I prefer a little movement with this subject. Hopefully, the movement is only visible on the wings, but a few hundred shots later, you might get the perfect image.

Equipment

To capture this image, I used a Canon 1D MkIV, and a Canon F300mm 2.8L USM lens. I did not use a flash or tripod, yet used my arm on the ground as support. This is a heavy and cumbersome set up for capturing moving objects and panning across explosive flight patterns, but I also didn't want to venture too close to the nesting site and disturb the birds.

Inspiration

I love movement in my photography, and as I lived in the African wilderness for fifteen years, I had no more interest in obtaining standard images of wildlife. I always challenged myself to try to find something different and something unique. I love the art of photography, and I love images that push the boundaries. These birds challenged me for three consecutive days, and the hours which I spent laying on the hard sand were countless, but I loved my time and loved some of my results.

Editing

The very same image unaltered is fantastic with a bush green background which really makes the bright red birds pop, yet this image I chose to have some fun with and darkened the exposure quite considerably. I then raised the shadows to bring the birds back and added some vignette to darken the ambience further. A final crop to lose any dead space, and I obtained my desired result.

In my camera bag

Living in the bush at that time, I would often travel with two bodies, a Canon 1D MkIV and a 5D MkIII. The 1D would usually have my 300mm attached as standard and was always at the ready. The 5D would generally have a 24-70 attached or a nice short lens 17mm. I carry a tripod, but very seldom use it as wildlife photography requires quick placement, and generally, you are limited to being in the vehicle. Over many years I mastered the art of leaning my lens securely against any firm section of the car and using it as stabilisation. Today, as my photographic trips generally include much international travel, I carry only my Canon 5D, a Canon 70-200mm and my 24-70mm.

Feedback

There is so much to share when it comes to wildlife photography, but most important, use a journey specialist who understands your destination and photographic goal. I have been on the receiving end of many safari-goers, and have witnessed many clients sent to the wrong destination for their desired subject matter. Once there, explain to your safari guide that you are a photographer and you prefer to find great subjects and spend time with them until you get the image, and only then move on. Many safari guides try to show their clients as much as possible, yet this is not conducive to rewarding photography. Take your time, try different settings and most of all, have fun.

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SafariGuru_Deon

SafariGuru_Deon

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Behind The Lens

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