Get the best out of your pictures in the dark

from ISSUE 5 - OCT-DEC 2016

Zambia’s Mr Waterfalls

Enjoy your evening safaris in South Luangwa and get the best out of your pictures in the dark

By: Peter Geraerdts Photos: Peter Geraerdts, Track and Trail River Camp

Lodges in Zambia are quite unique in that they offer evening safaris/night drives. This is a game viewing activity that takes place after dark, with a spotter who handles a powerful spot light. It’s important to avoid shining this light on animals that are usually active during the day (diurnal animals), and instead, identify the nocturnal animals. During evening safaris we observe animals such as lion, leopard, hyena, genet, civet, mongoose, and owl as they go about their lives under the cover of darkness. Picture (left): ISO 51000 – Aperture: F6.3 – shutter speed 1/200 sec

Photographing these nocturnal animals when it’s dark can be a challenge. The biggest issue people are faced with is the poor performance of cameras in low light/ dark conditions. Many automatic camera modes struggle to capture sharp images, as the shutter speed will reduce when there is little light available. These long exposures increase the risk of getting blurry pictures.

Picture (Above): ISO: 32000 – Aperture F 4 – Shutter speed 1/500 sec

- Increase your ISO until you have the right shutter speed, but with the aim to keep the digital image noise to a minimum. The higher the ISO, the more obvious the digital image noise (grain) becomes. - Provide adequate camera support, which is essential during long exposures. It could be a monopod, tripod or beanbag, as long as the camera remains still. - Incorporate just a bit of ambient light either from the sun or moon, or the help of the spotlight.

Picture (Above): ISO 16000 – Aperture f5 – shutter speed 1/100 sec

Tip: If you stop for a good sighting and there is more than one vehicle around, take the opportunity to experiment with other sources of light. Switch off the spotlight from the car you are in and use the light from your neighbour who is pointing the light on the subject from a different angle. It often gives much better results than the direct light from your own car. Low light allows you to experiment with lighting angles, movement, and compositions that would be unachievable in daylight conditions. It can allow you to create some interesting images if you are prepared to experiment.

DISCOVER

a tropical paradise in Zambia

lake tanganyika

Ndole Bay Lodge is an exquisite owner managed lodge on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Zambia. The lodge is situated just outside Nsumbu National Park amongst lush tropical gardens, opening onto an exclusively private beach. Luxury beach front chalets through to a gorgeous campsite make the Tanganyika dream affordable to all and there is no comparable experience than through Ndole Bay.

We offer guests their choice of a personal Tanganyika immersion, from the untamed wilds of Nsumbu National Park, SCUBA diving with the world’s greatest diversity of freshwater life, angling for feisty fish found nowhere else to relaxing on the beach with a cocktail or immersing in the culture of the local peoples of Tanganyika that has not changed in millennia. We live for Tanganyika and there is no immersing in the culture of the local peoples of Tanganyika that has not changed in millennia. We live for Tanganyika and there is no greater reward than sharing this astounding destination with our guests.

Mukambi Safaris offers three magnificent camps in Kafue National Park, one of the largest areas of unspoiled wilderness.

Each camp has its own character and style in different areas of Kafue National Park, making them completely....unique by nature.

We offer attractive packages where you can visit all of our three camps.

+260 (0)974 424013 | reservations@mukambi.com | mukambi.com

Mukambi Safari Lodge

Mukambi Safari Lodge is overlooking the Kafue River and is the gateway to Kafue National Park.

Fig Tree Bush Camp

This camp lies in an undiscovered part of the park on a Shishamba River lagoon. The only camp in a range of 30 km - it offers a unique out-of-Africa atmosphere.