Whilst in Sth Luangwa, Zambia I had a lot of fun with vehicle (hand held) spot lit and -EV/high ISO combined images on night time predators, in trips past I used to use my flash, high bracket mount, remote cord and better beamer
which was a lot to balance and results were very much hit and miss, dependent on getting that BB lined up just right.
With the D3s, that all changed and decided to try the spot lit method exclusively whilst on Sth Luangwa's night drives, I won't be going back to the BB method at least for night drives that's for sure.
I had Patrick Bentley (ex Lion Camp guide and a fine photographer) along with me for the week whilst @ Tafika camp and we had a ball practising this method.
Below are a few images using this method.
Spot lit Leopard on baby Impala
One night on such a drive we heard a bleating and scuffle, upon investigating and after negotiating the heavy undergrowth, we came upon this female Leopard on a newborn Impala, giving me a great down the lens stare.
We spent over an hour observing this very relaxed girl.
I opened up the exp 1/2 stop on the Impala's head to extract a little extra detail, whilst trying to eliminate any undue noise.
The night stalker
D700 70-200VRII 1/160s f/2.8 ISO1600@ 200mm -2 2/3EV. F/F Nsefu sector, Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia Nov 2011.
Lightening cub
A 4 month old leopard cub (another shy one higher up) waiting for mum's return with an electrical storm & lightening bolt in the background .Taken using a high a multiple frame rate (and a lotta luck) during the storm.
D3s 500VR 1/100s f/4 ISO3200 -2 1/3EV. F/F
Chipela Chayumba region, Northern Mfuwe, Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia Nov 2011.
His sister was well hidden, higher up this Whitethorn tree, we didn't sight her for over an hour!
D700 70-200VRII 1/125s f/8 ISO1600@ 200mm -2 1/3EV. F/F.
Chipela Chayumba, Mfuwe region, Northern Mfuwe, Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia Nov 2011.
Interesting images Marc. My favorite is the last which appears the most natural. The first few seems a bit oversharpened on my monitor. But regardless, photography leopards at night is always fun. By the way, did you get to do a microlite flight at Tafika...it was one of the highlights of my time there.
Eric
Terrific set Marc, I am very impressed with results you achieved here. The images certainly have a more natural look than flash typically produces in these settings.
I've never tried this technique, but will have to give it a go if I get the opportunity. Was that just the normal type of spotlight that the camps in South Luangwa use on night drives or was it more powerful?
eyelaser wrote:
Interesting images Marc. My favorite is the last which appears the most natural. The first few seems a bit oversharpened on my monitor. But regardless, photography leopards at night is always fun. By the way, did you get to do a microlite flight at Tafika...it was one of the highlights of my time there.
Eric
Thanks Eric, I have not used any extra USM on any of these images (other than the normal default sharpening in RAW/ACR) and certainly something I'm very conscious about, not evident on both of my calibrated 24" Dell's either?
This being my third time @ Tafika. and a stay of 12 nights I did two early morning flights with John over the Luangwa and yes it certainly is not to be missed, I'll post a few of those at a later time.
