The photograph of the month for July 2024 comes from my recent Zululand South Africa masterclass workshop (Read the Trip Report) and is of two Cheetah brothers playing at sunset. This was an extremely fortunate situation whereby we came across the Cheetahs in an open area of the game reserve right at sunset. I had the luxury of choice of how to shoot this scene and could have chosen to side-light it or even to take it front-lit. However, it was immediately clear to me that the backlight would provide the most dramatic image. The key to this sort of image is to always expose the brightest part of the frame (the sun) and to let the shadows fall where they may. In this exposure, the shadows were quite dark, and I opened them just slightly in post-production to give just a hint of the Cheetah’s spots. Of course, the moment is dramatic, with both Cheetahs off the ground. A fast shutter speed ensured both cats were sharp, and I stopped the 400mm f2.8L lens down to f6.3 to ensure I had sufficient depth of field to keep both cats sharp. The low angle of view was achieved by lying down in the grass – one of the key benefits to this particular location.

I am offering this masterclass workshop again in May next year -May 7th to May 16th 2025. Whether it’s your first visit to Africa or you’re a seasoned safari-goer, the 2025 Zululand ground-level wildlife masterclass offers an incredible opportunity to photograph African wildlife at eye level. The exclusive camp takeover provides unmatched access and flexibility, enhancing the photographic experience for all participants. With only a few places remaining, please contact me soon to secure your spot. This workshop is an extraordinary adventure, offering unique and powerful photographic opportunities.