In 2019 & 2021 I had the opportunity to travel to Zambia for the BBC America series Eden: Untamed Planet.

Alongside a fantastic team across two shoots I was able to shoot a wide array of species and landscapes for the Luangwa Valley episode of the series. 

Covering the annual flooding of the Luangwa river was a key story point for the episode. The arrival of storm clouds, lighting and thundering storms signified the end of the dry season, and was our trigger to film. Using a wide array of motion control timelapse techniques in conjunction with permanent time studies we were able to capture the rise of the river within the borders of the famous South Luangwa National Park, and the flooding of an ephemeral river, a rare sight to witness let alone film!  

Another major story within the episode was the survival and protection of the rare Black rhino in the North Luangwa national park. Capturing the vitally important work of the NLCP and rangers on the ground, alongside blue-chip footage of these incredibly illusive mammals was a difficult task. 
Over the course of several weeks we trekked through the bush with an array of kit in search of the rhinos, using long lens, gimbal and drone to both broaden our chances of capturing not only the shots of rhinos we needed, but documenting the process of the foot patrols undertaken by the dedicated rangers. Filming on foot in the bush is an experience to be cherished, despite the added logistical difficulties of carrying kit and coming face to face with lions and elephants, the pay-off is all the more rewarding when the fruits of good fieldcraft and a bit of grit are borne out on screen!

I'm incredibly grateful to the brilliant Edens team for the chance to work in some of Africa's most outstanding landscapes and ecosystems, leaving me with memories that will last a while!

Shot with: Nathan Pilcher, Paul Klaver

Directors: Libby Prins, Valeria Fabbri-Kennedy

Kit: RED Gemini, Movi Pro gimbal, Syrp Moco timelapse, Mavic 2