Capturing Iconic Safari Silhouettes

African sunrises and sunsets are very emotional. This magical time of day awakens a deep-rooted desire for peace and tranquility and reminds us of the earth’s capacity for unimaginable beauty. There are two very small windows of warm, glowing light in which to photograph safari silhouette–sunrise and sunset.

On my adventures in Kenya I spend most of my time between  Kicheche Bush Camp, Valley Camp and Mara North. With the help of outstanding guides, I have had the opportunity to practice photographing wonderful backlit subjects. Capturing safari silhouettes of these iconic African animals, that move with grace through the Mara’s dramatic beginning and end of days, is always a great privilege–and a greater challenge!

Composing a Safari Silhouette

One of the key elements of composing backlit silhouette photos is to get as low as possible. You need to create space between the horizon and the shape of the subject. The animal needs to be up high on the horizon with very little foreground. Below, the elephant was not quite high enough or distant enough–but the sheer bulk made for an interesting silhouette shape. Plus-those eyelashes!

When it is safe, I will often get out of the truck and lie on my stomach in the morning dew-drenched grass to get the maximum elevation of subject. Sometimes it pays off. Sometimes, all I am left with are wet pants and a vivid memory.

Safari Silhouette: Separating your Photographic Subject

A second challenge is subject separation. While a herd of zebra or wildebeest are amazing to see walking across the horizon, in order to make an impressive capture, the subjects need to be individually separate. They do not always co-operate and you end up with a strangely shaped black mass. Below, the very rare two-headed impala.

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Magical Memories!

Whether I am technically successful or not at taming the exposure and composing the subject, the photos make a memory. They capture those few fleeting moments when one can only marvel at the magical light.

One more thing before you go…

Thank you very much for visiting my website. I support myself as an artist solely with my photography and writing. If you enjoy the content I create and share,, please consider supporting me on KO-FI.COM  Becoming a member of the Armchair Wanderers or The Wild Bunch will give you access to exclusive member only content-including behind-the-scene safari shenanigans from my travels. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and promoting  passion.

Cheers!

NJ

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