Some things require lots of preparation (and a strong nerve!) to photograph. Darran Leal took a small group to Africa to shoot some of the deadliest creatures on the planet.
Every year I’m lucky enough to photograph all sorts of new subjects. It might be a festival in Bhutan, a landscape in China, or an animal in Africa. I love these opportunities and sharing them with other photographers. I recently finished a tour in Africa with two fellow photographers, shooting subjects that not everyone is comfortable about.
My tour participants were definitely outside their comfort zone! I love snakes so when the opportunity came up to shoot some of Africa’s deadliest creatures – the Snouted Cobra, Black Mamba, Green Mamba, Puff Adder, and scorpions to name a few – in late 2014, it was a no brainer for me.
While 98 per cent of my nature photography is shot in the wild, some subjects are simply impossible to shoot in this way. Hence I organised a controlled shoot with professional snake handlers. Initially, this didn’t give my two customers any extra confidence! After two half-day shoots, however, my Kiwi participant, Dave, was bold enough to put a four-metre python around his neck – something he was adamant would never happen! And he couldn’t wait to tell his mates. Aussie “Max” suggested he’d tackle this nerve-racking feat next time!
We shot loads of fantastic unique images, all with our long telephoto lenses, at around a 400-500mm focal length. This combination allowed for a safe shooting distance and for superb limited depth of field. Focusing was critical and all cameras handled this well.
Our modern full-frame (35mm) sensors also allowed for ISO 1600 shooting with no grain (or noise). Both shoots were on heavily overcast days, which provided perfect soft lighting. It was a great experience and I look forward to re-visiting a similar chance in 2016 with my slithery friends and a few added bonuses, like a chameleon shooting its tongue out to the length of its body in an effort to catch an insect. Yes, we got that shot as well!
At 2.5 metres long this Snouted Cobra was an intimidating creature. It reared up with any small movement. So here’s a tip for potential photographers – don’t move! We could even see 'spits' of venom in mid-air in our final results. We were shooting at ground level at a safe distance. Shot at 513mm focal length, f/8 @ 1/500s, ISO 1600, hand held.
The highly venomous Boomslang. Getting the timing right to shoot its tongue was a tough job! Here concentration (and the motor drive) was important. Focal length 560mm, f/8 @ 1/350s @ ISO 1600, hand held.
Chameleons are unique creatures in the animal world. Timing the movement of this one’s tongue wasn’t easy! After several attempts, though, we all had a few great images. Sigma 24-105mm lens @ 105mm focal length, f/8 @ 1/500s, ISO 1600, camera EV -1, with TTL flash EV -5 using high speed flash, hand held.
Darran Leal and his company World Photo Adventures, are celebrating 25 years of photo tours around the world.
Article first published in Australian Photography + digital magazine, January 2015.