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LIFESTYLE

Photography 101: Capturing

Lightning and star trails

by Albert Roos

elcome to a new year! I hope you example a tree, hill or a building in your into one picture later (this is my preferred
all had a wonderful festive season shot when you compose your photo. method). Long exposures can heat up your
Wand that you are well-rested and Repeat this step until you are satisfied sensor and cause camera noise. You are
ready for 2020. with your composition. also more susceptible to light pollution.
5. Once you have your composition, it is
In the previous issues of Intra Muros, I time to set your focus on your lens to Once you have followed steps 2 to 5 and
shared some local destinations where Infinity. Take another photo to see if have the desired composition and focus for
you can visit to keep your photographic your focus is to your satisfaction. your star trails, you can set your exposure
skills sharp. I also covered some aspects to the widest exposure possible (e.g. F2.8),
relating to the future of DSLR vs mirrorless set your ISO to 800 and white balance to
cameras. For those who may be interested, Once your focus and composition are Tungsten for effect. Take a photo with
both Canon and Sony just released their set, you can change your settings on the these settings and review.
new cameras! Sony released the new camera. Set your exposure between F8
mirrorless Sony a9 mark 2, and Canon the and F11 using an ISO of 100 to 800. These If your exposure is too high or too low,
DSLR 1Dx mark 3. settings all depend on how close and adjust your ISO accordingly. Repeat
how intense the lightning is. You can use this step until you are happy with your
Today I want to discuss night photography: the shutter release cable to have a 20 to exposure. Take 20 or more frames with
both star trails and lightning. A lot of 30 second exposure or you can set it on the two-minute exposure and with a five
people I have spoken to have said that continued mode and take several photos. second interval in between. Be careful if
they have never tried it. It is actually I prefer the 20 to 30 second exposure you are using a torch or a headlamp – do
relatively easy to do. Both genres of method. not shine the light into or over the lens.
photography require a camera that has a Once you have 20 frames, all that remains
bulb mode, a good wide-angle lens with One thing to be aware of is not to over- to be done is editing in the editing
a wide aperture, like F2.8 with an affinity expose. Release the shutter release cable programme of your choice.
focus, a shutter release cable or wireless button as soon as the lightning has struck
remote and a sturdy tripod. Remember to in to avoid this. Review your photo and I hope this article will inspire you to
shoot in RAW. adjust if required. The only thing left to attempt both genres of photography.
do now is to edit your RAW photo in the Enjoy and be safe.
Capturing lightning editing programme of your choice.
1. The first thing to consider is your safety! PS. Remember to join the Silver Lakes
Try to do it from underneath a structure Capturing star trails Photography Club this year! Our first
for your own protection. The same equipment is required as above, meeting will be on 25 February at 18:00. It
2. Mount your camera on the tripod and and the same process from steps 2 to 5 can is an informal braai to welcome and meet
connect your shutter release cable. be used to set up your camera. Remember everyone as well as to get your input for
3. Get a general idea of your composition that you need dark skies, no moon and the year. You are more than welcome to
of the photograph. very little, or no light from streets or join the Birding Club for our first meeting
4. Use the bulb mode on your camera, buildings. of 2020 on 18 February at 18:00. Our guest
set your ISO to 4000. Set your shutter speaker, Linda van den Heever will be
speed to 1/8” of a second and then There are two ways that you can capture discussing lead poisoning in vultures, as
take a picture. This will over-expose the star trails. The first is a long exposure of well as the implementation of Vulture Safe
photo, but it will allow you to see what 40 minutes or longer and the second is Zones. The braai will be held at the end
your composition looks like. Remember 20 or more frames of short two-minute of the presentation. We look forward to
it will help to have some reference, for exposures that you can stack and edit seeing you there!

32 INTRA MUROS FEBRUARY 2020