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Bird Photography Part 3: Take Flight into Bird Photography with These Awesome Tips

sneha — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 11:04:08 +0000

Bird Photography Part 3: Take Flight into Bird Photography with These Awesome Tips

sneha Thu, 02/16/2023 - 16:34

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Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/4000 sec | F4.0 | ISO 1250

In our last two articles with Sudhir Shivaram (@sudhirshivaram), we discussed how he finds locations to shoot birds, and the equipment that tags along with him. In the final stretch of this three-part series, we sat down with Sudhir and discovered his secret notes and best tips for bird photography.

Sudhir Shivaram has a 'wild' side when it comes to his wildlife photography. A revered name in the wildlife photography scene in India, his photography is greatly loved and respected in the community. Sudhir even has a reputation as an inspirational role model and teacher among younger photographers.

In his youth, Sudhir was always fascinated by birds while jungle trekking. Being away in the forest gave him the opportunity to photograph nature, and his love for birds and bird photography bloomed. Consequently, Sudhir found himself visiting various bodies of water near his home, hoping to catch a glimpse of birds.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/2000 sec | F4.0 | ISO 2000

Through the years, Sudhir has built a portfolio with his unique style. People instantly recognise his portraits and creative shots of birds. Using an 800mm+ focal length lens for bird photography also results in bokeh and a very clean and smooth multi-tonal background, which contributes to his signature photography look. By keeping his processing simple, Sudhir hopes to keep his photography looking natural and persist with his style.

As a master in bird photography, Sudhir advises young talents to adhere to 4 pillars. "Firstly, the key to bird photography is the comprehension of bird behaviour. Once you are familiar with the way birds behave, their movement becomes much easier to predict and you can easily identify their favourite perching spots. Often, you'll find that the birds are very cooperative with their presence, and this gives the photographer more time to shoot," said Sudhir.

"Secondly, photographers need to have good fundamentals. They need to understand various camera settings and learn the art of composition to make bird photography effective. It can be challenging to get birds in the viewfinder - especially lively and tiny ones. To overcome this, I use a technique with both my eyes open - my right eye through the viewfinder and the left eye looking at the bird. This method gets me a double super-imposed vision, that I can match to get the bird in focus. I use this same technique and it works very well when taking photos of birds in flight," explained Sudhir.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/6400 sec | F4.0 | ISO 1250

"Thirdly, knowing how to work your camera, and making full use of its features for bird photography is a must. Having shooting techniques also involves knowing your accessories - tripods, various heads, using bean bags and panning pods. Other times, having handheld techniques also brings value to both wildlife and bird photography," said Sudhir.

As a seasoned photographer, Sudhir's approach is distinct from younger photographers. "When shooting, I pre-visualise the shot based on my understanding of the bird's behaviour and camera settings. Often, I would visualise the final edited photo in my mind and angle my viewfinder accordingly."

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/2000 sec | F4.0 | ISO 1600

The final pillar is mastering editing. "I attempt to represent the same image I saw out in the field - nothing more, nothing less. For me, post-processing is about image correction, and not image manipulation. Image manipulation, to me, falls into the digital art category; and while I do not have anything against this, I would advise beginners to work on their photography and keep their images natural instead of manipulated. Having taken so many photographs of birds, I can immediately spot manipulated bird images and unfortunately, such practices can cause a photographer to lose their hard-earned reputation. The most I would do during post, would be colour corrections in the simplest of ways."

With such stringent photography standards, Sudhir finds the Alpha 7 IV to be a breath of fresh air. "I have been a user of Sony Alpha 1 and Alpha series cameras, and I have found that it takes me less time to process my images. A simple colour correction, and photo after photo are stunning in every shot. Bird photography doesn’t get any better than this. With the right techniques, bird knowledge and equipment, anyone can dominate this category."

Don’t miss out on our earlier articles on bird locations and photography equipment!

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Bird Photography Part 2: A Bird Photographer's Kit to Capture High-Flying Birds

sneha — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:41:28 +0000

Bird Photography Part 2: A Bird Photographer's Kit to Capture High-Flying Birds

sneha Thu, 02/16/2023 - 16:11

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Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/500 sec | F4.0 | ISO 6400

In our last article with Sudhir Shivaram (@sudhirshivaram), we talked about how the bird photographer planned his shooting locations to find and shoot bird activity. In the second of this three-part series, we learn more about the gear he uses to keep high-flying birds in focus without disturbing them at close quarters.

Camera

Being a bird photographer, Sudhir relies on a camera with superior AutoFocus (AF) speed and tracking. "Birds are normally fast, which makes focusing on them a huge challenge. That’s why you need a great camera body with an amazing AutoFocus system. The lens also needs to be fast enough to track the subject even under low light. The Alpha 1 handles capturing every movement and detail very well thanks to the low-light AF and high-noise ISO performance. Because birds are generally small, the Alpha 1's 50 MP lens helps me do a good amount of cropping while retaining a sharp image quality," said Sudhir.

Having control over the aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings are important to keeping the subjects nice and sharp. "I always shoot in Aperture Priority mode and keep the aperture setting to the lowest f number the lens can support. For example, with the Sony 600mm F4 lens, I always keep the aperture setting to F4. With the shutter speed, I generally try to keep to 1/250 seconds and above, but this can change depending on the subject's movement. For shutter speeds between 1/10 to 2 seconds, achieving a clear and sharp image requires photographers to adopt shooting techniques like using a tripod and a supporting fluid head. I also play around with the ISO settings to complement the shutter speed. Generally, this can vary between ISO 400 and above," said Sudhir.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/160 sec | F4.0 | ISO 3200

Finally, the most important setting in bird photography is the AF settings. "I always shoot in autofocus continuous (AF-C) mode and use the Tracking: Spot S focus area with the bird eye feature enabled. The Tracking: Spot S setting helps me in locking on to fast-moving birds. For the photographer, it is just a matter of being fast enough to keep the birds in the white focus square. Once the subject is in focus, all you need to do is hit the shutter button and the camera eye's tracking technology will handle the rest. The best part of the feature is if your subject unexpectedly leaves the focus area, you can simply release the shutter button and continue tracking from there," said Sudhir.

Lens

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/2500 sec | F4.0 | ISO 1250

One of the toughest challenges in bird photography is approaching the subjects without disturbing it. Pairing his camera with the right lens is important in framing the birds without having to get close to them. "I typically use the FE 600mm F4 GM OSS along with the 1.4x Teleconverter Lens to get an additional reach. The thing I like the most about this lens is its light weight, which allows me greater mobility even while carrying more equipment. When it comes to capturing fast-moving birds, the lightweight lens also makes it easy to hold and balance the camera properly," said Sudhir.

Another attractive feature about the lens, according to Sudhir, is its sharp image quality. "The key aspect of the lens is the high-quality glass which can produce good contrast and extremely sharp images. On top of that, the AF is also quite fast. When combined with the 1.4x Teleconverter Lens, it does not jeopardise the image quality and focus speed," Sudhir added.

Accessories

Taking pictures of birds can take hours, which is why Sudhir packs extra accessories to assist him in his endeavours. "Apart from the camera and lens, I always carry a tripod with a fluid head that allows me to stabilise my shots, no matter where I am shooting from. I also bring a pair of binoculars to keep track of birds' activities and determine the right moment before picking up the camera," Sudhir said.

Other accessories he also carries include:

Additional memory cards and batteries: "You never know how long your photography session will take and how many photos you will capture. It is always good to prepare yourself for extended shooting. When buying extra memory cards, it is best to pick those that have a durable design with a high read and write performance that allows you to take continuous, high-resolution raw photos."
Laptop and card readers: "These two are essential for keeping track of your work and choosing the best photos for your portfolio."
Hat and sunglasses: "During hot, summer months, wearing a hat and sunglasses keeps you protected from the extreme elements so you can focus on your photography."
4TB SSDs: "Backups will help you restore your photographs on the off chance your data gets corrupted."
Sony Alpha 7S III and the 600mm lens: "I use this combination whenever I want to shoot high-quality movies about birds and wildlife."

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/1250 sec | F4.0 | ISO 800

With the right camera, lens and accessories by his side, Sudhir portrays captivating, eye-catching stories with birds. He has but one piece of advice for budding bird photographers, and that is to explore what equipment works for them. "No single set of equipment will work for every occasion, so consider how each subject will react during the shoot. In the case of bird photography, your kit needs to have fast-focus cameras with long focal length lenses that allow you to quickly bring fast-moving birds into focus in a safe and friendly distance. By considering these options, you'll be better prepared to control every shot," said Sudhir.

Check out Part 3 of this birding photography series for Sudhir’s tips to capturing great images, or Part 1 to learn about the best locations to shoot from.

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Bird Photography Part 1: Having An Eagle Eye for the Perfect Bird Photography Locations

sneha — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:17:27 +0000

Bird Photography Part 1: Having An Eagle Eye for the Perfect Bird Photography Locations

sneha Thu, 02/16/2023 - 15:47

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Sudhir Shivaram (@sudhirshivaram) is a wildlife photographer from India with a passion for creating inspiring stories about birds and wildlife. A former IT worker, Sudhir left the corporate world to pursue his dreams of capturing the wild side of life. Now devoting his time to wildlife photography, Sudhir hopes to raise awareness on nature's greatest gifts and the need for people to protect them from extinction. He also operates a photography workshop where he helps beginners get their start in photography by imparting basic and advanced shooting techniques and principles. In the first of this three-part series, we spoke with Sudhir about how he planned his locations to create visually stunning bird photography.

Go where the birds go

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/160 sec | F4.0 | ISO 3200

Choosing the right location depends on what photography project Sudhir was going for. "My travel preparation is based on two factors - destination and species. Destination-based photography is straightforward. I would go to parks where I usually frequent, including Bandhavgarh, Ranthambhore, and Kanha, and start shooting. During certain seasons, I would ask my local contacts about what sightings are at the park before travelling. For species-based projects, I would do research on where the species resides and approach my contacts for more information," said Sudhir.

Seasons and physical features are also other factors Sudhir considers as they help to enhance the backdrop of his shots. "In the summer seasons, parks with significant bodies of water provide opportunities to capture wildlife activities. In the winter, I research the species of birds that are likely to migrate to the locale I am in. Usually, flowering or fruiting trees are where birds go for food and nesting when migrating, so these are worth keeping an eye out for. In my opinion, the best time to shoot photos of birds is during the winter, between November and February, when birds are migrating or between April or May when they tend to be in their breeding plumage," said Sudhir.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/400 sec | F4.0 | ISO 2000

Sudhir's home country of India boasts many nature parks which are perfect for his style of bird photography. "Some of my favourite spots for bird photography include Keoloadeo National Park in Bharatpur, Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Goa. Besides India, my other favourite locations are Costa Rica and Columbia," he said.

Techniques to soar in bird photography

Those looking to break into bird photography can create perfect shots of birds without leaving their home. "The best part of bird photography is that it can be done in the backyard of your house, so you do not have to go to remote or wild locations. Urban birding is one of the most popular among beginners due to its accessibility. In fact, I started bird photography near water bodies in the city. Check your city map to discover the location of the water bodies and visit them to get a look at the bird activity in the area."

For Sudhir, the right conditions and a good amount of patience goes a long way. "Wildlife and bird photography are similar in nature. The only thing that differentiates these two is how you approach the subjects. In bird photography, choosing the right focal length is one of the toughest challenges as you need to get the bird into frame without disturbing the birds. But the best part is, you will be able to work alone without any distractions and you have more flexibility in choosing shooting locations. Whereas in wildlife photography, you will mostly be in a safari vehicle and you can approach your subjects without scaring them away, but you can also encounter other vehicles which can make capturing the subjects as is difficult," he added.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/5000 sec | F4.0 | ISO 1250

When taking the shot, great care must be taken when approaching the subjects to avoid disturbing them and scaring them off. "Photographers need to understand how comfortable the birds are in interacting with humans. In locations where birds do not usually encounter humans, I usually travel alone. However, if the birds are not at all bothered with photographers around, I may bring friends or clients from my photography workshop."

Ultimately, the key aspect to becoming a bird photographer is to understand birds and their behaviours. "Reading up on bird-related books will be an immense help in knowing how birds are likely to react under certain conditions. Another way is to become part of online birding groups and meet like-minded people who will be more than happy to give you information to help you get started on bird photography.”

For bird photographers, preparation is key to creating bird photographs that soar above the rest. "My first advice to those looking to pursue bird photography is to equip yourself with knowledge before picking up the camera. Study what birds will do, where they will reside and how they will react so that you can capture a bird's high-flying moments on camera. The second advice is to be patient. There may be times when things do not go your way so you should try and adapt to the situation. Eventually, you will be able to come across an unexpected moment that is perfect for your photo album," Sudhir said.

Check out Part 2 and Part 3 for Sudhir’s equipment and some tips to take your bird photography to the next level.

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Rediscovering the passion for photography

monika — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 06:41:50 +0000

Rediscovering the passion for photography

monika Sat, 06/18/2022 - 12:11

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In the past two years, the uncertainty of circumstances drove Indonesia-based nature photographer Harlim to pick up his camera and rediscover his passion for photography. In his pursuit of elevating his skills in his chosen field, he ventured into birding and deep sky object photography. Today, his newfound love for photography has inspired a community of Indonesian photographers to keep the passion alive amid the waves of challenges.

We sat down with Harlim to talk about his journey in expanding his knowledge of photography and how his work has helped a new generation of photographers.

You explored new genres of photography in the past two years. How did you rediscover your passion for photography?

I used to travel domestically and abroad to do nature photography. Traveling was a part of my daily life. In the past two years, we had to face travel restrictions and I was motivated to seek new opportunities that I might have missed pre-pandemic.

I took the time to learn new things and rediscover my passion for photography, especially exploring new genres of photography. I decided to make the best out of the situation and began to focus on birding photography and deep sky object (DSO) photography using FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS (SEL400F28GM) and FE 600mm F4 GM OSS (SEL600F40GM) lenses with a magnitude of 1 to 14.1.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/640sec | F4 | ISO 500

It’s great that even as a professional, you are still venturing out of your comfort zone in photography. Of course, this doesn’t come without its ups and downs. What were some of the challenges you encountered this period and how did you overcome them?

One of the challenges was not being able to travel around easily to practice nature and landscape photography. I delved into birding and Deep Sky Objects (DSO) photography because I can try it out without needing to travel a great distance. I did birding photography in the city forest, secondary forest, and nature reserve around my neighborhood. DSO photography was done on the outskirts of the city, where there is less air and light pollution. I also started still life photography, which can be done around the house.

Of course, I share my work through social media networks, which has gotten traction from the local photography community. I began to receive requests for private mentoring of birding photography to guide them in using the Alpha 7R IV and FE 200–600 mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G). From one to two requests, my birding photography community has continuously grown since.

An opportunity for this profession (birding photography) has opened with the launch of the Alpha 1, which could detect AF/AE of up to 120FPS and 30FPS at 8K and 4K videos. It also has real-time bird eye detection on still images and AI-based real-time tracking on video.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/1250 sec | F4 | ISO 500

How did you get into birding and DSO photography?

Birding and DSO are not new to me. I explored birding photography from 1996 to 2005. However, I decided to focus more on landscape photography after. Two years ago, I saw a lot of SEL200600G owners in my community who didn't have activities with that lens, and so I had the idea to start exploring birding photography again. It started with inviting one person and he shared his photos on a WhatsApp photography group, while I shared mine on Instagram. From then on, my Instagram followers in other cities wanted to try birding too.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/800 sec | F4 | ISO 4000

Meanwhile, I started exploring DSO around 2019, and I used FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS and FE 600mm F4 GM OSS lenses. I got to say, the FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens is the dream of any DSO photographer, and this is something I’ve known even before I began using it. The brightness of objects in the sky is measured through a unit called apparent magnitude. The scale is backwards, meaning the larger the magnitude, the fainter the object. To give a better perspective, the apparent magnitude of a sun is -26.74. A 400mm lens is usually preferred by many DSO photographers since it can capture even the fainter elements with around 13.3 magnitude in the deep sky.

Other DSO photographers use a refractor telescope. This is similar to a telephoto lens, but it is not designed with autofocus, and significantly heavier in weight. A refractor telescope with 142-150mm diameter can weigh up to 10kg, whereas a telephoto lens weighs less than 3kg. Since both can basically capture the same apparent magnitude, a photography lens is easily the better choice.

Both birding and DSO photography motivated me to invite Indonesian nature/landscape photographers to explore these genres. Currently, Indonesia has an estimated 1,722 bird species, which means a wide array of birds to photograph. This makes it exciting to explore birding photography in the country.

Alpha 7S | FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS | 30 sec | F2.8 | ISO 4000

Tell us about your experience on birding photography in the city?

In big cities like Jakarta, there are still a number of birds flying around, and some of them are still wary that humans will catch them. They tend to hide within clumps of leaves, which creates the challenge of distance and visibility.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/4000 sec | F4 | ISO 2500

The best solution for this is to have a lens with a long focal length so that there is a longer time to take pictures, before the birds realize that a camera is pointed at them and fly away. When they are hiding behind the leaves, I remember to keep a light footing and to be very conscious of the noise made with every movement.

It’s interesting to observe how the birding community has grown over time. Can you share with us more about this?

I often share my photos on Instagram, and the birding community has increased since I started posting. There are different birding communities in every city, for example, wildlife birding and concept birding.

Members of these communities constantly upload their birding photos and videos online. The community is growing, and the members are especially motivated by the works of those who use the Alpha 1 or Alpha 7 IV.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/8000 sec | F4 | ISO 2500

Birding photography invites us back to nature to breathe fresh air and relieve stress, especially pandemic-induced anxiety. The Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 IV make it easy for anyone to approach birding photography! Additionally, this hobby can even be developed into a profession.

It's also fun to dig up information about the species we spot in our shoots. The information is already available on the internet. In our community, I would also suggest studying birding ethics and animal protection laws in each country.

These new experiences significantly help in expanding your knowledge in photography. How do you think all this, including your experience in mentoring budding photographers, has changed your work as we ease into a new normal?

In late 2021, my birding photography community tried something new—birding videography—alongside the launch of the Alpha 7 IV, which has video capabilities with real-time bird eye autofocus. This is a new thing that I can incorporate more of in my work.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/1600sec | F4 | ISO 640

Every change in life will create business opportunities and arrangements. During the lockdown period, we learned new things, which of course, made it easier for us when the travel restrictions were lifted. Since I was able to explore new genres of photography, I can take up not only nature photography, which I was already accustomed to, but also birding and DSO photography in all my travels.

As long as we don't stop trying, we can always use every opportunity to forge new paths.

What other genres of photography can you recommend to hobbyists or amateurs who are struggling with harnessing creativity and exploring other opportunities ?

In general, hobbyists have a big thirst for curiosity that they need to quench. I suggest looking at and studying other people’s work as an inspiration to find ideas on how they would want to execute their next photo shoot. The technical aspects can come next. Here are some examples of photography they can explore.

Sight painting
Still life
Videos for products / still life
Animations such as stop motion

The word “amateur” comes from a French word that means “lover” or “for love,” meaning it is from our love for something that we try to develop skills. I would like to encourage amateurs to join communities as a means of learning and sharing with constructive criticism. In the future, it might become a beneficial platform for you, this is something I have experienced before and have gained from the community.

Alpha 1 | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/6400sec | F4 | ISO 500

There are a lot of things around us that we may ignore because we are busy with routine activities and are in a comfortable zone. The important thing is to find the courage to dare and try new things.

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Bringing Wildlife Closer to You

Aysu — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 11:19:12 +0000

Bringing Wildlife Closer to You

Aysu Tue, 12/21/2021 - 16:49

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Marlon Du Toit

Marlon is both director and co-owner at Wild Eye, an outfit specialising in wildlife photography expeditions. Whether he is tracking majestic lions or birds in flight, Marlon brings his skill, passion and lay-of-the-land knowledge to maximum effect. Marlon’s photography and travel experiences have also been featured in several international magazines, including National Geographic. Now, Marlon shares his extensive knowledge and inspiration with Sony Alpha Universe.

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Sony | Alpha Cameras and Telephoto Lenses | Bring Wildlife Closer to You | Safari

The Perfect Setup for Wildlife Photography

Having the right equipment is an important part of capturing unique and beautiful moments in wildlife photography. In this respect, Marlon has the grounds covered with his complete Sony setup.

Sony Alpha 9 II

This top-of-the-line Sony mirrorless camera is Marlon’s constant companion. Its extremely fast autofocus (AF) and 20 frames-per-second (fps) speed means that Marlon never misses a shot. Marlon finds the optional vertical grip for the camera useful and comfortable as it provides improved handling and control in the portrait orientation.

Sony Alpha 7R IV

When Marlon needs the best image quality and resolution, he reaches out for the Sony Alpha 7R IV. It has incredible image resolution at 61 megapixels. Marlon finds it indispensable for animal, environment and landscape shots, as it extracts the most detail out of each scene.

Animal Eye AF

Sony’s Animal Eye Autofocus, standard in the Alpha 9 and Alpha 7 III series, is essential to getting great wildlife photography. Marlon adds that this applies to many big beasts such as elephants, buffalos and lions, just to name a few. In this respect, Sony Alpha 9 and Alpha 7 III mirrorless cameras have got the best Animal Eye AF technology that tracks the eye of the animal to produce tack-sharp eye focus.

Sony FE 600mm F4 G Master

Marlon’s favourite lens for wildlife photography is the FE 600mm F4 G Master. He appreciates it for its corner-to-corner sharpness that is evident during post-processing. The bokeh produced by this G Master lens earns high praise from the wildlife photographer. The background is buttery smooth and the subject truly jumps out of the frame with incredible detail. The colours are also rich and vibrant, requiring little if any post-processing as the colour and contrast are already on point. The FE 600mm F4 G Master lens has fast and decisive AF, thanks to its XD Linear Motor Technology, so tracking moving subjects is a breeze. This makes bird photography that much easier and efficient. At 3.04 kg, it is also the world’s lightest 600 mm super-telephoto lens and combined with well-balanced handling, it is well suited for fast action in the field.

Sony FE 200-600mm G Lens

The Sony FE 200-600mm G lens is the wildlife photographer’s best friend. It offers versatility thanks to its flexible focal length, and the internal zooming mechanism protects it from moisture and dust. The FE 200-600mm G’s DDSSM (Direct Drive SSM) system is incredibly quiet and remarkably fast, so taking photos of fast-moving birds is easy. Fast reaction to the scene is aided by a light torque ring and short movement between focal lengths. In short, it makes it easy to re-frame a shot as the action unfolds in front of Marlon. Together with the Sony Alpha 9 II camera and FE 200-600mm G in hand, they weigh less than 2.8 kg. That makes hand-holding the camera and lens in the same position for an extended period relatively stress-free. The low-weight setup lets Marlon seize opportunities and react in time without missing the shot.

High Quality 4K Video

With these Sony cameras and lenses, Marlon has the ability to record high-quality 4K videos with smooth subject tracking and silent autofocusing with minimal vibration. That is the ability to tell compelling wildlife stories in motion.

Batteries, Extenders and Memory Cards

Every trip into the bush brings many photo opportunities, and Marlon is always ready to make the most of the day with Sony accessories. Sony NP-FZ100 batteries are worth their weight in gold with the ability to shoot up to 710 shots, making it a reliable power source in the field. Nevertheless, Marlon always packs extra batteries so he is always ready for extended shoots when the opportunity presents itself.

Marlon makes good use of the Sony FE 1.4x and 2x teleconverters to extend the reach of his Sony zoom lenses. They work so well, Marlon is able to get right up close to the action without sacrificing AF speed and image quality.

To complete his arsenal, Marlon recommends the Sony Tough SD cards. He relies on them as he finds them strong and weather-resistant, something that’s needed out in the wilderness. He knows that his images will be safely stored and protected even in inclement conditions.

Video Name

Sony | Super-Telephoto Zoom Lenses | Bringing Wildlife Closer to You | Safari

Insights on Safari Photography from Marlon Du Toit

The Call of the Wild

We were driving along the Sand River when a herd of wildebeests drinking water got spooked and ran back up the embankment. I had split seconds to react as we drove across the sandy riverbed. I immediately swung my Sony Alpha 9 II and FE 600mm F4 G Master setup up to my eye, aimed at the stampeding wildebeest herd and fired away. The lens and camera combination was so well balanced and light, I was able to lift it quickly and effortlessly to my eye. Coupled with the ultra-fast AF speed and 20fps burst shooting of the Sony Alpha 9 II, I knew I had a winner in the bag. Reviewing the image back in base camp, I marvelled at the image. It was exactly what I had envisaged and the corner-to-corner sharpness took my breath away. It’s a stand out image made in the space of a few milliseconds.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/2500 sec | F5 | ISO 320

Pride of Africa

Lions are the heart of any wildlife safari photographic adventure. Their natural habitats range from woodland, open savanna to desert. The great thing about lions is their social nature, and it is not uncommon to find prides of up to twenty lions, lionesses and cubs. However, photographing this particular lioness posed a challenge. She was resting lower down in a riverbed and I tried the best I could to get on eye level. I used the shallow depth of field and stunning bokeh of the FE 600mm F4 G Master lens to soften the background and keep the focus on my subject, and it worked beautifully.

Alpha 7R IV | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/1250 sec | F7.1 | ISO 3200

I love getting even lower and the light weight of the Sony setup worked to my advantage. I simply flipped up the swivel screen on my Sony Alpha 9 II and dropped the camera to the ground, almost touching it. This enabled me to create the low angle and to capture a stunning image. Animal Eye AF ensured the eyes of the lioness are pin-sharp, allowing me to concentrate on being creative.

Mountains on the Move

The African bush elephant is a magnificent beast to behold. Weighing up to 7 tonnes and 3.3 m tall at the shoulder, they are the largest land mammal. They can be dangerous, and one needs to read the elephant’s body language. In this photo, the young elephant bull walked towards us and opened his ears – a warning to keep our distance. That was my cue to set up the shot. With the aperture set at F8, I lifted the FE 600mm F4 G Master lens to my eye and captured all the details of the rough-textured skin. The lens and Sony Alpha 7R IV combination really captured the intensity of the eyes gazing into the camera. The rough, craggy skin was so intricately captured with the corner-to-corner sharpness of the FE 600mm F4 G Master lens.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/200 sec | F8 | ISO 2000

Grace in Flight

Weighing as much as 3 kg with a wingspan of up to 1.9 m, tawny eagles are loved by just about every photographer. To keep them at ease, I usually don’t get too close, so it’s handy to use the Sony 2x teleconverter to extend the reach of the lenses I use. To successfully capture these large birds in flight, I use the wide focus mode and 20fps burst mode shooting on my Sony Alpha 9 II. Combined with the FE 600 F4 G Master lens’ fast AF & sharpness, you are left with a great photo every single time.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/2000 sec | F7.1 | ISO 1600

A Friendly Relationship

The oxpecker birds are often seen on animals such as buffalos, rhinoceroses and many species of antelope. They feed on ticks and parasites and keep the animals clean. Their red eyes and brightly coloured beaks make them stand out in any photo. But being so small, one really needs to use the Sony teleconverters to fill the frame. The well-engineered teleconverter allows me to shoot without sacrificing image quality and AF performance. Just brilliant for bird photography and intimate portraits.

Alpha 7R IV | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/500 sec | F7.1 | ISO 640

Child’s Play

Lion cubs are fantastic fun to shoot as they are so playful, and with the FE 600mm F4 G Master, I can create engaging images. This lion cub running across a shallow stream created a wall of water droplets under him. Instinctively, I tracked it as it ran, and applied a high shutter speed to freeze the cub and the water droplets. The result is a special photograph that is incredibly sharp and well-focused, with the lens extracting incredible amount of detail from the fur and water spray. In my experience, the FE 600mm F4 G Master lens is the sharpest telephoto lens available today.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/1000 sec | F6.3 | ISO 400

Tale Spin

I love unique perspectives on wildlife, close-ups of bits and pieces not often photographed. A leopard’s tail presents me with such an opportunity. This leopard walked by our vehicle within very close proximity. I knew the tail would interest me and took this image with the FE 600mm F4 G Master lens. The bokeh is buttery smooth without jarring highlights and the details on the curved tail tells the story of a great hunter on the move.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/2000 sec | F4 | ISO 320

Tree Hugger

Much of wildlife photography requires a respectful distance from the subject. This prevents stress on the animal and gives me the opportunity to capture more natural-looking shots. These leopard cubs, for example, were very shy. Thanks to the Sony 2x teleconverter, I could zoom into the action from where I stood. Despite the low light levels, the AF was decisive and the quality of the final image undiminished. Using the FE 600mm F4 G Master and teleconverters meant I could get the shot I wanted without any disturbance to the animal. The quality of the image produced under low light condition is simply fantastic with the excellent high ISO performance of the Sony Alpha 9 II.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/400 sec | F5.6 | ISO 3200

Keeping One Step Ahead

Lilac-breasted rollers are fast and can move erratically. You need a system capable of keeping up with the bird regardless of the direction it flies into. I select Wide area AF-C mode and keep my finger on the shutter button half-pressed to keep the focus locked on. Once it launches, the DDSSM (Direct Drive SSM) Technology in the Sony FE 200-600mm G lens takes over with its fast AF and silent motor movements. Coupled with the 20fps and zero blackout viewfinder of the Sony Alpha 9 II, I was able to capture hundreds of tack sharp images of the lilac-breasted rollers in flight. Truly exceptional.

Alpha 9 II | FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS | 1/3200 sec | F8 | ISO 1600

The African Tank

African white rhinos are beautiful and fearsome beasts. It is tough to get near and low to photograph them safely and artistically. One solution is to get down low to minimise my visible presence and create intimacy in my pictures. With my lightweight Sony lens and camera setup, I can get down quickly and effortlessly, putting me in a position to capture a unique image. The bokeh from both FE 600mm F4 G Master and FE 200-600mm G lenses is so smooth and creamy, it truly makes the rhinoceros stand out from its environment.

Alpha 7R IV | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/2000 sec | F4 | ISO 1000

You Have a Friend in Me

Images like this are special. The rhino and the oxpecker are like best friends. The rhino has poor eyesight and the oxpecker, when alarmed, will call loudly and then fly off. This alerts the rhino and tells it that danger could be nearby. To capture both in flight with the quality and sharpness from the Sony FE 600mm F4 G Master and the Sony Alpha 9 II, is incredible. Not a moment missed with Sony Alpha 9 II’s 20fps burst mode and zero viewfinder blackout. Coupled with the lens’s creamy bokeh and edge-to-edge sharpness, I have all the right ingredients for a winning image.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/1250 sec | F4 | ISO 800

The majestic sable antelope population is under threat and not often seen on safari. They are prey for lions and often use their horns to defend themselves. To see these special creatures through the viewfinder of the Sony Alpha 9 II was special indeed. Again, an oxpecker was in attendance and the two made for a very interesting image together.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/1000 sec | F4 | ISO 400

Colours in the Bush

With its thick bill and colourful plumage, the crested barbet is the photographers’ delight. They are not easy to photograph, as they like to bounce around on the ground and roost in holes in trees. The Sony FE 200-600mm G lens’ fast autofocus is just perfect for the task. Thanks to a short throw between focal lengths I was quick to react and captured stunningly sharp images at 600 mm.

Alpha 9 II | FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS | 1/1600 sec | F7.1 | ISO 1250

A Special Relationship

The African buffalo are strong animals that will charge when provoked. We always keep a safe distance and shoot from within the safety of the vehicle. They carry their scars proudly and one can often hear them hiss and stamp their feet. The FE 200-600mm G lens is perfect for the job. I chose a smaller aperture that brought out the detail of the gnarly horns and weathered skin. Again, the ever-present oxpecker adds some flavour to an otherwise colourless scene.

Alpha 7R IV | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/500 sec | F10 | ISO 2000

Kings of the Night

Photographing at night presents several challenges, the biggest being much less light to work with and lower shutter speeds. Even with the vehicle’s headlight switched on, it takes the fastest zooms to make good images. For best results, I use the FE 600mm F4 G Master as the fast F4 aperture allows higher shutter speeds to be used. Coupled with the lens’ edge-to-edge sharpness, the images of the male lion are incredibly detailed. The Sony Alpha 9 II’s amazing high ISO performance was put to good use too.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/250 sec | F4 | ISO 5000

One of the unique advantages of the FE 600mm F4 G Master's large F4 aperture is the beautiful bokeh it makes. With a little help from the vehicle headlights, it’s a great opportunity for creative animal portraits.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/160 sec | F4 | ISO 3200

For this shot, I used the spotlight from another vehicle to create a dramatic looking rim light. I was on foot photographing this scene and the lower angle creates more tension in the frame. I was happy with the detail and composition of the image. All thanks to the highly mobile FE 600mm F4 G Master and the Sony Alpha 9 II combination, I can put the quick AF and high ISO performance to good use.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/400 sec | F4 | ISO 8000

King of His Perch

This stunning pied kingfisher is commonly seen on safari yet often overlooked. I love this image because the black and white plumage stands out so well against the green background, and the bokeh from the FE 600mm G Master just melts the background away and emphasises the in-focus bird.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/1000 sec | F5.6 | ISO 2000

Playtime

Lions are great subjects but adults are often sleepy and not great to photograph. The cubs, however, are more active and often present you with photo opportunities such as this. The older cubs often bully their younger siblings and this is shown perfectly in this image. The morning was cloudy and the light was very low, yet the FE 600mm F4 G Master lens captured the moment perfectly.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/800 sec | F5.6 | ISO 5000

On the Prowl

This massive male leopard came walking right towards us at eye level. I had the vehicle parked in such a way so that we could be a little lower and at eye level, and the result is stunning. The Sony FE 600mm F4 G Master lens captured the cat in glorious detail and with the soft out-of-focus background makes the leopard jump out of the scene. A stunning shot, certainly a favourite.

Alpha 9 II | FE 600mm F4 GM OSS | 1/1000 sec | F4 | ISO 640

Complete. Integrated. Perfect Imagery Every Time.

Sony FE 600mm F4 G Master and FE 200-600mm G lenses work flawlessly in unison with Sony mirrorless cameras, for the best autofocus experience and imaging quality. Marlon chooses Sony as he can confidently capture elusive wildlife moments in high quality. Coupled with the extensive range of accessories, the Sony mirrorless system is the obvious and indispensable choice for wildlife photographers.

FE 600mm F4 GM OSS

Bird Photography Part 3: Take Flight into Bird Photography with These Awesome Tips

Bird Photography Part 3: Take Flight into Bird Photography with These Awesome Tips

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Máy ảnh toàn khung hình có độ phân giải và tốc độ tuyệt vời

Ống kính cao cấp siêu tele G Master để chụp toàn khung hình

Bird Photography Part 2: A Bird Photographer's Kit to Capture High-Flying Birds

Bird Photography Part 2: A Bird Photographer's Kit to Capture High-Flying Birds

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Máy ảnh toàn khung hình có độ phân giải và tốc độ tuyệt vời

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Bird Photography Part 1: Having An Eagle Eye for the Perfect Bird Photography Locations

Bird Photography Part 1: Having An Eagle Eye for the Perfect Bird Photography Locations

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Techniques to soar in bird photography

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Máy ảnh toàn khung hình có độ phân giải và tốc độ tuyệt vời

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Rediscovering the passion for photography

Rediscovering the passion for photography

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You explored new genres of photography in the past two years. How did you rediscover your passion for photography?

It’s great that even as a professional, you are still venturing out of your comfort zone in photography. Of course, this doesn’t come without its ups and downs. What were some of the challenges you encountered this period and how did you overcome them?

How did you get into birding and DSO photography?

Tell us about your experience on birding photography in the city?

It’s interesting to observe how the birding community has grown over time. Can you share with us more about this?

These new experiences significantly help in expanding your knowledge in photography. How do you think all this, including your experience in mentoring budding photographers, has changed your work as we ease into a new normal?

What other genres of photography can you recommend to hobbyists or amateurs who are struggling with harnessing creativity and exploring other opportunities ?

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Máy ảnh toàn khung hình có độ phân giải và tốc độ tuyệt vời

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Bringing Wildlife Closer to You

Bringing Wildlife Closer to You

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Marlon Du Toit

The Perfect Setup for Wildlife Photography

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