Night-time safari photography in Africa comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to understanding and working with low light conditions.
But with the right approach, a touch of patience, and a bit of ethical consideration, you can transform your night safari photos into captivating works of art.
In this quick guide, we’re going to show you how to make the most of those magical, moonlit moments.
Getting your camera settings right is crucial for night-time photography. In low light, your primary goal is to let in as much light as possible without compromising image quality. This is why it is so important that you choose a good quality camera, rather than something more entry level. You can also bring along a good quality film camera, with settings that you can manually change (the same camera settings can be used).
Start with an ISO of around 1600-3200. While higher ISO values will allow more light, they can introduce noise, so balance is key. Modern cameras handle noise better, but always test and adjust according to your camera’s capabilities.
Use the widest aperture your lens allows, such as f/2.8 or f/4. This will help gather maximum light and create a shallow depth of field, making your subject stand out against the dark background.
A slower shutter speed, around 1/100 to 1/200 of a second, is ideal for capturing more light. However, be mindful of motion blur—use a faster shutter speed if your subject is moving quickly.
Switch to manual focus or use single-point autofocus to ensure sharpness in low light. Many cameras struggle to autofocus in the dark, so manual focus can be more reliable.
Artificial lighting can be so useful in low light, but it must be used with care to avoid disturbing the wildlife.
Red light is less intrusive to animals and won’t disrupt their natural behaviour as much as white light. Diffusers can soften the light, reducing its impact while still illuminating your subject.
Use the lowest light setting necessary to get the shot. High-intensity lights can stress animals, leading to potentially harmful consequences.
Whenever possible, bounce the light off nearby surfaces or use side lighting to reduce direct exposure to the animal’s eyes. This creates a more natural look and is less likely to startle them.
Night-time photography is a waiting game, requiring immense patience and perfect timing. Wildlife is often more cautious after dark, so you may need to wait longer for the right moment. Here’s how to make patience work in your favour:
Listen to the sounds of the night and watch for subtle movements. Predators, in particular, are more active and vocal at night, which can tip you off to potential photo opportunities.
Familiarise yourself with the nocturnal habits of the animals you hope to photograph. Knowing when and where they’re likely to appear can help you position yourself for the perfect shot.
Nocturnal animals can move quickly and unexpectedly. Keep your camera at the ready, with settings pre-adjusted, to capture those fleeting moments.
Post-processing is where you can bring out the true beauty of your night-time shots, enhancing details that might not be immediately visible in the raw image. Here’s how to approach it:
Use noise reduction software or in-built tools in Lightroom or Photoshop to clean up any graininess caused by high ISO settings.
Low light photos often benefit from slight adjustments to exposure and contrast, helping to brighten the image while retaining the depth of the shadows.
Apply selective sharpening to bring out the finer details in your subject. Be cautious not to over-sharpen, as this can introduce unwanted artefacts.
Subtle colour adjustments can make your photos pop. Boosting the warmth of the image can evoke the feeling of a moonlit night, while maintaining the natural hues of your subject.
At Wild Photo Africa, we have an array of some of the best photo safaris in South Africa. Join us on our next excursion and let us help you take some amazing night-time photos.