Taking photographs is and should be fun. Great fun. In between the point and click there is lots to learn and that (the learning bit) can also be very enjoyable. In the digital age you can blast away and take as many photos as you want without the costly chemical processing of much of the 20th century. A few tips and tricks here. Maybe the first question to ask yourself is what do you want out of your photography? A National Geographic cover? Some great photos to show the family? Maybe one or two specials to blow up and put on the wall at home?
If you want to start an argument between a group of avid photographers, just say “I would never ever use xxx brand of camera” … then walk or maybe run away. There are many so called definitive guides out there to photographing wildlife on safaris, so many people who swear by their choices and everything else be damned. What we’re aiming for here are just a few basic ideas if you like photography, but haven’t really made it much of a deal in your travels through life so far.
AI can already do a lot to fix “issues” even as I write this, but that is not the goal nor the point I say. You want to challenge yourself and see your own work. It is deeply satisfying to take a great photograph, that people will inevitably comment on … what camera did you use? Did you REALLY take that ?!
The first rule probably is well established. You do the best with what you have, which may simply be a smart phone. The lenses and capabilities on the newer phones are outstanding today. Switching between photo and video modes with maybe an app to record sounds. You will get back with wonderful memories and many great images.
The hurdle there is close ups/tighter shots of animals or sunsets. That’s where the smart phone falls well short. Although this may not be the case for much longer!
Great photos can appear in a nano second in front of you like this below that Brad took of his friend Lok, the Nepalese trekking guide …. I love this image, no curation or editing, just a man in his domain staring up at the Himalayas and in the moment. It’s beautiful.
Or this amazing migration image Rob captured, he even gave it a title when he downloaded it and saw what was in the frame. Calm and chaos. It’s not your average photograph of the migration. With the focus on that single animal bottom left and the dramatic action behind, it’s a magical shot.
Or this pic from Sam on his first trip to Antarctica, it’s just knowing that split second of a quirky behaviour or stretch, head shake, whatever it is, having the patience and understanding to get a shot thats slightly different and so much better. This has got Happy Feet vibes all over it! Love it.
Then this below is a classic example of when you need your smart phone in your pocket, ready to rock. In flies a leopard seal to check out your zodiac and you don’t have time at all to fumble around grabbing your main camera checking settings etc, it’s just hit record and go man! Lee did a brilliant job of following this dynamic creature and capturing that agility and curiosity.
Especially with animals as subjects, those on the move in particular, aim for a safety shot or two first. Find focus of course and then bang, bang with that shutter, click away to at least ensure you have the memory and the moment. Lions will often just be dozing away and you can get very close at times, giving you further opportunities for tight shots of whiskers and paws when they’re on their backs. Think of interesting composition in a frame, a leopard’s tail hanging down from the branch it’s sleeping on, an elephant’s tusk if it’s within reasonable distance of your vehicle. Camped out for a time as you might be near permanent water, you can have an amazing time with elephant herds and all the interactions between adults and youngsters, teenagers pushing and shoving. You will run off a hundred pics in no time!
In this age of imagery and online connection, you can follow the big names of wildlife photography very easily. Study their images, to see what works, what they’ve left in the frame, or even out of the frame. People like Frans Lanting, Ami Vitale, Tim Laman, Shannon Wild, Thomas Vijayan, Paul Nicklen and many more. Let me introduce you to a couple more here.
All remarkable photographers from my home state of Western Australia. Birds are a big part of their work, which is exquisite. The detail they capture in wings and beautiful contrasts, the photographs a result of lots of hard work, early morning alarms, trial and error, getting dirty/muddy/bitten by bugs etc etc … in other words the stuff we love when it works and the stuff we know is the price you pay for getting the shot you so badly want. Which is also a natural segue into another aspect of bird and wildlife photography, illustrated with this tree climbing lion image I took in Tanzania near Ndutu at the end of 2023. Damn stick, but I’m not a big fan of Photoshopping the way to “perfection” !
Where possible – and of course it isn’t always easy – getting below an animal’s eye-line adds so much to the impact of your photograph. This was something I learned many years ago from a story I did on one of the great wildlife photographers of all time, Lex Hes. I think funnily enough, pets are good to use as subjects. Get down on the ground and start with the family dog or cat. Sounds a bit daft, but photos of your pooch from this angle look entirely different to the standard pet shots. For big critters, like rhino it adds enormous power to the image. Rob took this pic of Brad taking a pic of these white rhino in Botswana, laying down next to the vehicle. Not always possible on safari depending on the circumstances, but there might be instances when you can do this on private concessions.
The rewards for seeing that image you had in mind on your camera card is everything. Oh yeah, another point, back up cards the minute you can. Back in your tent, before your next game drive. It is all too easy to overlook (especially for me!) that you didn’t back that card up and ran out of space, maybe formatted a card that had your best work on it. Invariably a small, easy, mobile external hard drive is an essential part of the kit on safaris.
#Tips and tricks
Photography:All
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Photography Research Budget Light Protocols
1
Budget
I guess only you know this. What can you afford? A couple of grand will definitely get you a very reasonable starter kit with maybe a couple of (cheaper) lenses thrown in. You need to spend more for your camera to get amazing low light pictures, which in Africa is almost every day at dawn and dusk. If you want tighter shots of elephant tusks or leopard rosettes, you probably need to be looking at least at a 300mm zoom (a 100 - 400 is a great lens, likewise a 75 - 300). A 150 - 600 Sigma or Tamron type (way cheaper than Canon or Nikon) is also a decent option. New York's famous http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ is a great place to start dreaming ... I mean planning.
2
Light
The magic ingredient. If something looks good to your eye, early morning light, late afternoon in "the golden hour", then go mad, snap away to your hearts content. Look for patches of light striking animals or landscapes, after storms or in the cooler months. Back light for a subject (a lion's mane) is enchanting. Play around with settings, your shutter speed/ISO/aperture and see what comes out. Get off automatic immediately and go manual for much better photographs that capture the true light, not the camera's best guess. Beautiful light makes an image sing.
3
Protocols
Always ask, especially with children. Either your subject directly, or your guide. If it's camp staff, of course ask them do you mind if I take your photograph. On village visits, there are often families well accustomed to people taking their photographs, but always check out of respect and courtesy. Paying people for photographs I think is an issue that should be discussed with your guide, it depends often on what country, even what region you're in. Pedro in this instance got permission from the family here to take the divine picture of brother and sister.
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Some wonderful African safaris
9 nights classic Tanzania
A fantastic mix of camps and lodges starting with stunning Rivertrees in Arusha to set up your safari. Kuro warm and inviting, is in the heart of elephant and lion country in the spectacular Tarangire NP with its signature baobab trees everywhere, while Entemanu stands alone and majestic in our favourite secluded spot on the Crater rim. And there is no more authentic Serengeti experience than Serian Lemai taking in the migration in season.
Premium camps and lodges, iconic destinations. Victoria Falls in all its glory, the fabled Jack's camp and the Okavango Delta including a stunning water camp. Game viewing unequalled in Southern Africa. This is a magnificent safari for the connoisseur.
A perfect mix of camps with the best of South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park. Throw in the warm and generous embrace of the legendary Mfuwe Lodge, incredible game viewing and this is a safari that's an old style Zambia classic. Get your walking shoes on as well.
