Equidae: Zebras, Wild Asses & Horses

[Spalea]

Zhayynn James: " In the Hidden Valley, Ndutu, a zebra panics and bolts, throwing up a veil of muddy water all around. One moment it was quietly drinking along with the other zebras and wildebeest, and the next it was pandemonium! Images like this are the reason I never take the approach of setting a low shutter speed for portraits, as some folks do. This is wildlife photography where we have no control on the subject. If you’re photographing a bird, how do you know the bird whose photograph you’re taking won’t suddenly take off? I would rather set a fast shutter speed to capture the moment of a sudden take off, or clacking its bill, or flapping its wings, or in this case, the explosive panic of the zebra, than set a low shutter speed for a portrait and then completely miss the unexpected action.

I always recommend keeping a minimum shutter speed that can freeze action (minimum depending upon your subject), my no matter what it is doing.
Remember that a fast shutter speed can capture a sharp portrait and action. A slow shutter can’t do both. "

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