Piper Mackay is an expert when choosing the
ideal shutter speed for any subject
The pro’s advice
on shutter speed
What areas of photography do you
specialise in and why?
I am a wildlife and tribal photographer whose
work has been focussed in Africa for the past
16 years. From the moment I stepped foot on
the rich red soil, it was magic. Although I have
travelled to many other countries on several
continents, none bring out the passion as
those spanning Africa; both tribes and wildlife.
One could say I am an action junkie. I live for
spontaneous moments where you have only a
second to evaluate the scene, light, background,
and click the shutter in success or defeat.
What are the biggest challenges of working
with fast shutter speeds?
When working with high shutter speeds,
especially in low light, generally when animal
movement is optimal, you need fast glass,
which is heavy and expensive; you also need
a high-quality body that can handle a high
ISO. I shoot with two Nikon D850 bodies and a
400mm f/2.8 or 70-200 f/2.8 for wildlife, and
change for the 24-70 f/2.8 for tribes. To keep
up a fast shutter in low light, one is always
fighting against depth of field and a high ISO.
How do you convey movement/energy in
your images even when subjects are frozen
by a short exposure?
Perspective can make a huge difference when
you’re using a high shutter speed but want to
convey motion in a still image. Understanding
animal behaviour and movement is critical
when positioning and clicking the shutter in
rhythm with the motion. The goal is to make
the viewer feel like they are moving through
the frame with the subject.Do you prefer shooting with shorter or
longer exposures?
I have no preference of using fast versus
slow shutter speeds. When I drive upon a
scene, I quickly evaluate the action, light and
background before deciding what setting
will create the most powerful and successful
outcome. Although working with slow shutter
speeds is generally fun and more creative,
it can also be a lot riskier if you have not
spent many hours practising the technique.
Therefore, I generally follow the philosophy of
take the safe shot and then look to push the
creative boundaries.“Make the viewer feel like they are moving
through the frame with the subject”
Techniques