First photos in the Kruger

If you are new to, or are considering buying, a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) or Mirrorless camera the dials, buttons and endless menus can be overwhelming.

The amount of control you have over your camera is what makes photography so rewarding but you can't be expected to deal with all of it straight off the bat.

You are going on a trip to the Kruger and the leopard is not going to wait while you study the manual, work out how to apply the required setting and review the resultant picture.

So here are some tips for that trip.

Photography is simply the manipulation of light through a combination of these three features:

• ISO

• Aperture

• Shutter speed

ISO

ISO is the sensitivity of the film or sensor to light.

The higher the number, the more sensitive the sensor.

So if the subject is in bright sunlight, then you want the ISO to be 100. If the ISO is too high in these conditions the picture will be overexposed and burnt out.

Conversely in low light conditions, for example at dusk, the ISO needs to be higher, say 3200 or 6400.

The latest cameras support ISO as high as 32000. But be warned, high ISO settings in low light can result in a very "grainy", un-crisp picture.

As a beginner it is best to leave the ISO setting on Auto, the cameras do a great job of selecting the right setting automatically.

Aperture

Aperture refers to the opening through which light enters the camera.

The wider the opening the more light hits the sensor resulting in a brighter image.

The size of the aperture also affects what is called the Depth of Field. Simply put, that refers to how much of the image is in focus.

To blur the background so that your subject stands out clearly you need a wide aperture. To ensure that your foreground and background are all in focus, use a small aperture.

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed refers to the length of time that the sensor is exposed to light.

The longer the shutter speed, the more light hits the sensor and the brighter the image.

Logically, the longer the shutter speed the more movement is captured, whether that be movement of the subject or the camera itself.

If you are holding the camera then you should not have a shutter speed greater than around 1/60 of a second or you will lose the crispness of the image, or it will be blurred.

To create the effect of a moving subject you make use of the "Shutter Priority" or Tv setting with a slightly longer exposure allowing the sensor to capture the movement. The camera though needs to be still, so a tripod or beanbag is preferable.

Getting the balance right

As you may already have worked out getting the right balance between these three settings is the essence of photography.

Your camera has a few modes that can help.

Select the required mode using the dial

Use Av (Aperture priority) to control the depth of field and how much light enters the camera and the shutter speed will be set automatically by the camera.

Use Tv (shutter speed priority) to set how long the aperture is open and let the camera determine the aperture size. This gives you control over the movement you capture but not the depth of field. We used this for the Coconut swirls on the beach in Mauritius.

M (Manual) mode allows you to set all settings yourself and is important to experienced photographers who want total control over the conditions.

B (Bulb) is used with a shutter release cable for very long exposures such as star trails or “painting with light”.

A+ (Automatic) takes all the control away from you and is an option you would want to avoid if you intend to grow your photography skills.

For wildlife and most day to day shooting conditions:

1. Set the ISO to Auto

2. Use Av (Aperture priority)

3. Set Aperture based on the following:

Use a wide aperture ( f/2.8 to f/5.6)

To blur the background so that the focal object stand out, always being mindful of the light conditions.

Use a small aperture ( f/11 to f/22)

To ensure that the background and foreground are both in focus

f/8 is the mid point and is a balanced depth of field.

If you are thinking of putting a toe in the DSLR or mirrorless camera pool here are some good options to consider: