Torn open by Africa’s slowly spreading tectonic plates, the majestic Great Rift Valley runs north to south through Kenya. The harsh climate is often in drought, but this hostile environment is home to many birds and mammals amidst world-famous wildlife preserves. So, what better place to evolve an idea?

“This new photographic approach,” explains acclaimed wildlife specialist Will Burrard-Lucas, “is a progression of the work I’ve done over the last few years, shooting at night with remote camera traps and flashes. That way of working had some restrictions, which I wanted to overcome with this new project.”

This time, Will wanted to be present rather than using traps, as well as having more control over his lighting. So, he created a watering hole in the Kenyan savannah and built a hide complete with five metre lighting poles next to it! “I wanted the lighting to shape the subjects, creating more graphical, dramatic portraits, whilst keeping the look simple and natural. So, I created a small pool of light designed to frame the subject against the shadows beyond.”

But first, the animals had to come. “I’ve been working in this area for many years,” Will says, “and so I knew there was great diversity in the species, and plenty of them. As you’d expect, they were elusive and shy at first, but I knew they would come eventually. These are the projects I find most rewarding, where you don’t know how it will end up.”

When it came to the technique of lighting his subjects, Will relied on a mix of animal-appropriate techniques and his trusty Sony Alpha 1 and lenses. “Conscious that using flash in a regular fashion or any normal continuous lighting would scare off my subjects, I used several red lights for focusing and some very low-powered speedlights, along with wide apertures and high ISOs. The waterhole is only about 5 metres across, and I blocked off some areas with thorn bushes so they would come and drink in the sweet spot of my lighting.”

“The Sony Alpha 1 was my primary camera throughout the project, and along with the 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II and 400mm f/2.8 GM, it was the perfect tool for several reasons,” Will continues. “The silent shutter is vital not only to stop animals running away, but for them to act naturally as you shoot them. Sony has done a great job of adding the ability for the camera’s electronic shutter to sync with the flash. Equally, the Alpha 1’s focusing was picking up and tracking subjects like nothing else, particularly when working in very low light. The Animal Eye AF was reliable as well, meaning I don’t have to worry about moving my focus points around, or picking the right part of the animal’s head.”

Working with low-powered flash also meant making the most of the Alpha 1’s brilliant ISO performance, says Will. “Higher ISO is important as I don’t want to use an excessively bright flash – and it makes the lights more efficient, meaning I don’t have to change batteries in the middle of the night. On the Alpha 1, I’m happy to go up to ISO 3200 or ISO 6400, where I don’t expect any problematic noise.”

With everything set up, Will managed to get a superb selection of regular images at the water’s edge. “The night stuff was what I was most excited about from a creative perspective, but the shots at sunrise and sunset, tied into another key goal; showing hides like this to generate more tourism in the area. That in turn brings revenue, supports the community, and drives conservation efforts.”

Indeed, Will’s watering hole, created in partnership with Shompole Wilderness Camp, will also play a role in helping to preserve the animals it gathers beyond their need for fresh water. “Life here revolves around the availability of water, and so creating this source opens up all the surrounding land for animals to feed and thrive. It means they can avoid trekking 10km to the next nearest water, and possibly coming into conflict with herders and livestock.”

And as for his ‘nightlife’ project, it too is evolving. “I’m going to continue visiting the watering hole with my Alpha 1 as well as an infra-red Sony Alpha 9 that I can use in complete darkness with IR light,” Will finishes. “As the environment changes throughout the years, different animals will start using it. I have plenty of new photos in mind, so the journey will continue, and my trusty Sony Alpha will be with me every step of the way.”