The dance of light, shadow n dust

In 2025, it is estimated that we humans will take around 2 trillion photos.

As of now, all of us put together take 61,000 photos every second.

14 billion images are shared daily on social media.

Those are crazy, mindboggling numbers, by any definition.

As a result, the biggest challenge for everyone, not just the serious photographers, is, how do we get viewers to spend more than that nanosecond on our image, before the relentless flick of the finger relegates it to history.

Let’s face it, that matters to all of us, doesn’t it ?

We don’t put up our images on social media for posterity’s sake. The number of people who like it and comment on it matters to all of us, doesn’t it ? We do sneak in a look to see how popular an image has become, don’t we ?

How much each of us let that number affect us is a different matter, but all of us would love that more people would pause and ‘like’ our image.

If that number has a fascinating hold on us, what sort of images could increase that number ?

One type of image that can usually lead to that pause of the flick would be those that have drama, a sense of intrigue, of mystery. And a visually dramatic image almost always has an intense interplay between light and darkness.

Nothing captures mood better than the perfect balance between light and shadow.

Intensity. Intrigue. Mystery. Or sheer beauty.

Beauty, of course, is possibly the main reasons that a sunset or a sunrise has an eternal appeal. It is one of nature’s magnificent displays that will never ever lose its charm regardless of the number of times that you have seen them.

But, as a photographer trying to create something, a sunrise/sunset might not be challenging enough. Yes, you will still need to capture the right moment, compose the frame well and the way you can do it will be different from others, but still, for all the jaw dropping, breathtaking beauty of a sunset/sunrise, they are not challenging images to make. Or, maybe it is because of its stunning beauty, that there is nothing much you need to do to the scene.

On the other hand, if I can capture my subject with just the right amount of light, in a way that the viewer has to pause for a moment to study the image to identify the outlined subject…hmmm, I would want that.

Or, if I can get the subject in such a position that the subject is lit from one side and the shadows rush in from the other, would that make an intense image ? Oh yes, it can.

Now, add dust to the equation. Swirling dust that is captured with just the right amount of light falling on it. Shadows doing its dark dance around. Its magical.

The real fun though is in creating these images.

You are out in the dark. Your eyes need to adjust to the pitch black that envelops you. Can you see that movement in the shadows ? Your ears need to adjust to both the silence and the sounds. Was that a snort of a wildebeest ? Or the rushing hooves of a zebra ? The silence, the noise…it just is so different from that in daytime.

You need to be alert to listen to all the whispered commands from your guide about what you can do and what you cannot.

And, of course, you need to be alert to what is happening in front of you.

Oh the animals are running in from the left. Slow shutter ? Ok. Let’s try that.

There are a few animals coming in from the right.  Can I try to get a single one in the frame ? Should I zoom out ?

It has started raining. How do I capture the rain ? Slow shutter ?

It's getting up ! The dust... insects !!! How do I compose this ??

Its freezing. My fingers are numb! Hang on...try to capture one with the eyes closed.

There is intense excitement in the air. You are incessantly moving around. You are soaked in the rain, or shivering in the cold. You are breathless. You are clicking away madly. You are changing the settings instinctively. The adrenalin is pumping. You are clicking away madly.

When you head back, you are not really concerned about which image you will choose. You are not bothered about how many will like that image. It is the experience that stays with you. The memories of the adrenalin as you tried to get into the right position for the composition you were aiming for.

If you create a single magical image, it’s a bonus.

'Likes' ? Who cares ? If people like it…well, good for them.

The experience is what is yours and which stays.

Forever.

“Its not you with your camera that makes the picture.

The picture is a gift.”

– Sebastiao Salgado

Psst...which of these images work the most for you ?

African sunsets throw some absurdly magical colours. But look at the moment. Two young ellies busy play fighting. Around them, insects are flying, birds are swooping down to catch their last meal of the day and night is silently enveloping all of them. Did I say, its magical ?

Or, you can go to the other extreme. Deep intrigue. The profile of a tusker here doesn't jump up and scream at you. It is a bit more mysterious

Ghostly outlines of a small herd of zebras. Does the amount of shadows convey the sense of danger from predators that they have to contend with ? How alone would they be feeling ?

A fleeting moment when light falls on the side profile of a rhino...highlighting a rhino's biggest weapon and its biggest weakness...its horn

Another side lit image, but nothing intriguing or mysterious here, but the shadows help to accentuate the pensive mood that the Japanese macaques always seem to have

I wanted that...eyes closed as if the guy is deep in meditation in the dark

Quick !!! Get that unmistakable outline of a rhino !!

Add... the breath...the rain...the insects...phew...heady mix!

Personally for me...its when action raises dust that the resulting scenes get dramatic. Here, I focused on the legs of the zebras to capture a sense of nervousness

Zoom out a little bit, maybe...to capture that nervousness turn into action

Zoom out even more...Slow that shutter speed...capture the shadows !

As if dust wasn't enough...a little rain to add to the experience

Snowfall too....A deep sense of gratitude for such moments

Cheers !!

Ashok