Sunrise Landscape Picture - Tree in Kgalagadi

About ten minutes before sunrise one morning I took this sunrise landscape picture in the Mata Mata Restcamp of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. As I was leaving the ablution facilities I saw my lovely wife (not such a keen photographer...) taking pictures of this dramatic effect. I thought if she is taking pictures of it, it must be something truly special... So, I quickly joined her. This is the result. Once again, reward for getting up early...

As I say so often, that is one of the greatest lessons I have learned as a nature photographer. Use the first and last light well. You simply can't get stunning photographs without stunning light. Most of your award winning photographs will be taken less than half and hour before or after sunrise or less than half an hour before or after sunset.

I often wonder how much better some of my pictures might have been if I knew then what I know now. This photograph was taken in 2005. Today, July 2010, we have cameras like the Canon EOS 7D and we have techniques like High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography. I'm not saying I don't like this image... Just wondering whether some detail on the tree might have been a better option than a blacked out silhouette.

The Kgalagadi has spectacular thunder storms with lightning strikes during summer, but offers the nature photographer way more than just that! I can't recommend this reserve enough to serious nature photographers. The main advantages are the crisp desert air, and the open desert savannah. Not to mention the high prevalence of big cat species. Very good for award-winning photography...

However, you will need some patience. In the Kruger National Park you might see something every ten minutes. In the Kgalagadi, you often have to drive around for longer to find sightings. If you sit at a waterhole, you might just spend an hour or three before getting a worthwhile picture.

If you would like opportunities to take pictures like this one, scratch around in my Africa Safaris section and start planning a trip! It won't happen unless you plan for it.