In this blog, we delve into the captivating world of manual mode shooting, where true photographic mastery and creativity reside. Without trying to prescribe the best way forward in the photographic realm, I will attempt to unravel the invaluable benefits of shooting in Manual Mode and showcase a few adrenaline-filled moments when I have deftly switched between video and photography, all while capturing the beauty of the scene in front of me.
The Artistic Vision
Photography, at its core, is an art form that demands a deep connection between the artist and their subject. Shooting in manual mode bestows photographers with full control over the crucial elements that shape an image: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Having an extensive understanding of the interplay between these components allows you to truly utilise them to their full potential. It is in this realm that the true essence of photography is revealed, allowing artists to paint with light, freeze moments in time, and evoke emotions through their craft.
Getting an eye-level shot with a phenomenal male lion such is this has always been high on my list.
Creative Freedom
By shooting in manual mode, photographers unlock the door to unparalleled creative freedom. Every scene presents unique lighting conditions and compositions that demand individual attention. Manual mode allows for fine-tuning the exposure triangle to precisely capture the desired mood and atmosphere. Whether it’s a softly lit sunrise or a high-contrast silhouette against a fiery sunset, manual mode empowers photographers to mould the scene to their artistic vision instead of relying on the miniature computers inside the camera to do it for you.
By deliberately slowing the shutter speed and panning along with the movement of an animal you are able to get a little creative and capture motion blur, helping to emphasise the story behind the photograph.
The Fluid Transition
Imagine traversing the wilderness of Londolozi, documenting the awe-inspiring tales of nature, it is an incredibly unique and privileged role to have within the Londolozi ecosystem. But with it comes several challenges, firstly getting oneself into the sightings, and making the decision as to where am I most likely to capture something great. The primary goal is to capture a sequence that I can convert into a Virtual Safari. To film to the best of the camera’s abilities and process the footage afterwards into a standardised format, I choose to film in Manual Mode. This allows me to control the tri-factor that makes up the exposure triangle. So that is predetermined for me and it is just what it is.
A leopard in action, Chris Taylor captures the Senegal Bush Male at full stretch as he ascends a large tree.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
However many people say or recommend that when taking photos, use Aperture Priority, this allows the artist to control two of the three elements, aperture and ISO, leaving the camera to determine the shutter speed to get a perfectly exposed photograph. All is well if one has time as this helps eliminate any extra thought-processing while in the moment, however, I am often faced with a moment where I need to rapidly transition between video and photography. Remaining in Manual Mode, harnessing the power of complete control, I can deftly switch over and with a few swift rolls of the camera wheels get the settings to where they need to be to seize those rare moments of stillness amidst dynamic action.
Three Rivers Duo engage in a spectacular sequence of play around the Tortoise Pan waterhole.
Somewhat skittish after becoming independent, he is an impressive young male with a rich golden coat.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
A general rule of thumb is that one must strive to have a shutter speed that is at least double your focal length, so if you are zoomed in to the max of your 100-400mm lens then you would ideally want a shutter speed of 1/800th of a second. This helps reduce the camera shake and freezes the scene into a crisp photo. What I have found while shooting in Aperture priority is that often the shutter speed is forced up towards 1/2000 or sometimes even as high as 1/6400. Now there isn’t anything wrong with this apart from it being a slight bit of overkill unless you are shooting at the Hungarian Grand Prix as Max Verstappen comes screaming around a corner. So for what we experience at Londolozi, the most one may need to go up to is maybe 1/1600th of a second as a cheetah is in hot pursuit of an impala through a clearing.
A cheetah chases off two black-backed jackals that had strayed to close to its kill. Two cheetahs (the other one can just be seen feeding on the carcass in the bottom left of the screen) had brought down this wildebeest minutes before we arrived, and we watched them throughout the day as an ever-increasing number of jackals arrived to torment them, eventually driving the two cats away just before sunset.
By being in full control of the camera in Manual Mode, I limit myself to 1/800th if the sighting is stationary and up to 1/1250th if the animals are moving quickly. This allows for the ISO to be low, the aperture wide and a result where the images are sharp, have a shallow depth of field, no grain or noise, and a rich, wide dynamic colour range.
Embracing the Challenge
In recent remarkable instances, the need for swift transitions between video and photography became evident. Picture this: the Black Dam Male Lions traversing Finfoot Crossing, with a magnificent herd of elephants as their backdrop. As the lions gracefully waded through the water, the temptation to seize a still frame, destined for the Fine Art Site and my home wall, proved irresistible. In this exhilarating moment, I skillfully filmed the lions’ aquatic journey, swiftly switching gears to capture a fleeting few seconds of still images. With the precious shot secured, I seamlessly transitioned back to resume filming, encapsulating the essence of their extraordinary crossing.
The Black Dam Male strides through the Sand River at Finfoot Crossing.
Another unforgettable occasion unfolded when the wild dog pups emerged from their den, taking their first tentative steps into the outside world before a camera. Their playful and endearing antics begged to be immortalized, as they embarked on their exciting exploration. With video rolling, I couldn’t resist capturing a few precious still images, freezing their innocence and capturing this unforgettable experience.
Behind the scenes of an afternoon spent at the wild dog den.
Yet, perhaps the most heart-pounding experience involved the Nhlanguleni Female. With intense determination, she paced down the road, her eyes locked onto our vehicle, all the while delicately bearing a tiny cub in her mouth, carefully relocating it from one den to another. Fully aware of the uniqueness and significance of this sighting, I recognized the urgency and importance to film this moment. But the opportunity to capture a single still image of the Nhlanguleni Female with her precious cub gripped my senses.
The penultimate leopard sighting. The delicate, tender moments as a mother leopard moves her cubs from one den to another.
Initially skittish she spent a lot of time in the Sand River, now relaxed she makes up the majority of leopard viewing west of camp.
In these captivating and intense instances, the seamless transition between video and photography allowed me to capture the essence of the wildlife encounters, preserving the extraordinary moments forever. By embracing the power of both mediums, I ensured that no fraction of the magic escaped my lens, immortalizing these extraordinary encounters and sharing them with the world.
The Risk Is Worth It
Shooting in manual mode requires a degree of technical expertise and practice. Once confident and comfortable in one’s abilities, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. By embracing the artistry and the demanding nature of Manual Mode, photographers embark on a journey that celebrates both technical proficiency and creative intuition. Through constant exploration, they uncover the essence of their subjects and immortalize them in images that resonate deeply with viewers.
Moments like these, etched in one’s memories, now last forever in a physical form of a photograph.
The value of shooting in manual mode lies not only in the technical control it offers but also in the artistic liberation it bestows. By engaging with the exposure triangle and mastering the intricacies of light, photographers become true storytellers. The ability to fluidly transition between video and photography amplifies one’s capacity to capture the captivating essence of nature.
Sean, would love to spend some game drives with you to watch you use manual especially with lots of action…watching pros is great opportunity to see it done (example watching Federer hit tennis balls). For me, the only way I can use manual normally is with portrait situations. We enjoy your entries, photos, videos, and comments….keep up the good work. And thanks, Jim
Hi Sean, thank you for your experience and insight on Manuel shooting. Your images are always great and exceptional stunning, no matter which animal you have taken a foto or video of. You definitely understand the tri factor and Manuel feature, and it shows in all your fotos and videos. You also know your camera’s settings which helps immensely. I am still batteling with that and have not tried the Manuel setting yet and have made my self a little notebook with the tri factors features and hope to soon engage in Manuel mode. Would love to take fotos like you do Sean. Well done!!! You are an exceptional photographer.
whatever you did to get the Black Dam Male shot is perfect! I wish I had the patience to learn about my canon camera that I got to take action photos of my son’s hockey games…I was lucky if I got one good shot! it’s not an easy accomplishment!
I liked your blog today Sean and totally get your reasons for shooting in Manual. Back, decades ago, I learned to shoot in manual as my Nikkormat c 1973, offered no other options. It was only until recently that I moved to shutter or aperture priority, due to the limitations of my hand. I have found that at times, I’m not satisfied with the results so will need to play some more with the settings. I’ve 14 months to practice until my next visit so time will tell.
Sean, thank you for the lesson in Manuel photography. It is an art form that produces wonderful memories of very special occasions .
Sean, It’s been a long time since our early Nikon cameras using manual! Your reasons for going manual make sense. We are planning on keeping ISO on manual during daytime game drives already, and will hope to try out some of the other options!