African wildlife photography

tripod and monopod

Basic Equipment

High- resolution digital cameras are outstanding and give great quality images, especially if you are using a digital camera body which takes normal camera lenses.

Point-and-shoot cameras are not recommended. However, many of the "all-in-one" (ie, no removable lens) digital cameras will get you some excellent shots as the animals are often within close range of the vehicle. Bring 2 cameras if at all possible, even if you bring a smaller, less functional backup.

Lenses: A 200 or 300 mm lens (or 80-300 zoom) is good for most wildlife photography from vehicles or boats.

A 400-500 mm lens will work well in many situations, especially if you are a keen bird photographer. Birds in flight necessitate speeds of 1/500 or more.

A standard 50mm or wide angle lens is good for scenery and people shots.

Useful filters & accessories

• Daylight filter which blocks UV light without changing the color of your images.
• A warming filter adds just a hint of warming color to your images without being noticeable
• Polarizing filters cut the reflections on water or glare from the harshest light rays. These filters are most effective when shooting at 90 degrees from the angle of the sun

A scratch on the filter is relatively inexpensive compared to a scratch on your lens!

Camera Support

Stick with a good beanbag, take your own empty one, you can fill it with sand or beans, (the vehicles usually have some extras) and a tripod.

Both Canon and Nikon offer image stabilization lenses covering a wide range of focal lengths to make hand-holding practical

Batteries

Use rechargeable battery packs with cameras and flash.

The electrical voltage in Southern Africa is 220V (versus 110V in the US). Do NOT bring a re-charger from home without having purchased and tested a voltage converter or you will do irreparably damage to your re-charger.

Bring at least two sets for your camera. The camps will recharge for you, but the generators typically only run during the time you are away from camp on a game drive.

A 12 volt charger with a cigarette lighter attachment, crocodile clips and some gaffer tape are also useful.

Bring at least two by 2-gigabyte micro drive memory cards and a digital wallet (USB device)

Some batteries i.e motor drives, LED etc are very scarce in certain parts of Africa so bring at least one spare set of non rechargeable for all types that your camera uses

Video and chips

Digital: The advantage of digital photography is that one can get instant feedback and adjustments can be made in the field to your techniques to ensure that your photographs are the quality that you would like.

A tripod and monopod are very useful for smooth panning and zooming

A lavier microphone (if your video camera can take it) is very useful to aviod the chit chat in the safari vechile. TIP stick the mic onto the extended monopod with Prestik and ask your partner to be the boom operator

DO NOT pack USB devices, Chips etc into your checked luggage. The x-ray luggage scanners could ruin your photos. Carry them in your carry-on luggage

IMPORTANT: BRING SPARE CHIPS, MEMORY CARDS AND A SPARE CAMERA BATTERY

Binoculars

The higher the magnification, the heavier the binoculars are and the more difficult it is to hold steady for long periods. Smaller binoculars are easier to hand hold effectively.

8x42's works well for most people, but if you are particularly interested in birds a 10x25 is best

Hints

By understanding animal behaviour you will have a better chance of finding them and you will be able to predict their actions

Never interfere with the natural behaviour of the animals in order to take a better photo or get too close. These are wild animals with different personalities and tempers, treat them with the respect they deserve

• Be prepared and ready with your camera at all times, animals do not keep appointments and may suddenly appear and disappear just as quickly

• For close-up pictures, focus on the animal's eyes

• Take a range of different pictures in vertical and horizontal approaches as well as close ups and wide establishing shots

• Do not centre all your shots; leave room in your subject for the animal to move into

• When taking pictures of local tribesmen ask them if it is OK to take their picture first. Never shoot first and try to make friends after

Pictures only capture the images, the sights and sounds of wildlife areas that are pure bliss and if you spend all your time peeking through the viewfinder you will miss most of the magic of an African safari. Enjoy the solitude, quietness and earth as it was thousands of years ago

To sit outside and soak up a sunset, when the blue canvas is painted in swirling glory and a hippo grunts his warning, or a fish eagle gives it's soul cry is something that is uniquely African and weaves it's own magic