Comments on: 10 Tips to Photograph An African Safari http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari Discover how to use your digital camera with our Digital Photography Tips. We are a community of photographers of all experience levels who come together to learn, share and grow in our understanding of photography. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:16:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tina safari http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/comment-page-2#comment-253693 Tina safari Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:59:45 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/#comment-253693 Truth be told,i love nature and Africa is one continent i want to visit and see all kinds of wildlife.Coming across this information has made my day.Great site.<a href="http://www.safarigorilla.com/gorilla-trekking-chimpanzee.html" rel="nofollow">Gorilla Safari</a> Truth be told,i love nature and Africa is one continent i want to visit and see all kinds of wildlife.Coming across this information has made my day.Great site.Gorilla Safari

]]> By: Animal Safari http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/comment-page-2#comment-247442 Animal Safari Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:17:10 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/#comment-247442 Great information. I am glad I stumbled here. I am a big wildlife admirer and I just love capturing wild creatures in my camera but at night it is quite difficult to get sufficient exposure in low light. You have given really great tips. Thanks. Great information. I am glad I stumbled here. I am a big wildlife admirer and I just love capturing wild creatures in my camera but at night it is quite difficult to get sufficient exposure in low light. You have given really great tips. Thanks.

]]> By: laurieo http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/comment-page-2#comment-216353 laurieo Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:44:20 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/#comment-216353 I went on safari a couple years ago in Tanzania and loved it. As it was January, there was not much problem with dust, but I did bring two camera bodies; one for my 17-85 and the other for my 100-400. Even without dust issues, I would bring the same equipment as it was convenient and worked for my purposes. It would have been frustrating to lose a great shot because there wasn't enough time to change lenses. I also agree that a tripod is probably not very practical for driving safaris as it is quite rare to be able to get out of the vehicle. I used a foam bedroll to steady my camera and had the driver turn off the engine as mentioned by a previous poster. Seemed to work fine. On one of the occasions when we did get out of the vehicle, one of the other safari members volunteered to act as a tripod for me and I got a great shot of a hippo in a waterhole! One more thing - a friend who had been on safari before recommended taking some video as well, another good reason to bring that point and shoot. The sounds of Africa are fantastic, as are the butterflies, birds and bugs flitting about in the air. Really fun to take some short videos to share back home and remind yourself of the sights and sounds of Africa. Happy travels! I went on safari a couple years ago in Tanzania and loved it. As it was January, there was not much problem with dust, but I did bring two camera bodies; one for my 17-85 and the other for my 100-400. Even without dust issues, I would bring the same equipment as it was convenient and worked for my purposes. It would have been frustrating to lose a great shot because there wasn’t enough time to change lenses. I also agree that a tripod is probably not very practical for driving safaris as it is quite rare to be able to get out of the vehicle. I used a foam bedroll to steady my camera and had the driver turn off the engine as mentioned by a previous poster. Seemed to work fine. On one of the occasions when we did get out of the vehicle, one of the other safari members volunteered to act as a tripod for me and I got a great shot of a hippo in a waterhole! One more thing – a friend who had been on safari before recommended taking some video as well, another good reason to bring that point and shoot. The sounds of Africa are fantastic, as are the butterflies, birds and bugs flitting about in the air. Really fun to take some short videos to share back home and remind yourself of the sights and sounds of Africa. Happy travels!

]]> By: Mahlatini http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/comment-page-2#comment-191760 Mahlatini Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:55:55 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/#comment-191760 These are great tips, thank you. You are correct in that the long lens is indeed a must. You will probably be shooting from a vehicle and will not actually be as close as you'll appear in pictures - which is a good thing, because that's dangerous. Though you will get the occasional very adventurous animal which comes right up to the vehicle. But I think your last point is most important. Yes, take some photos to document your experience, but remember to enjoy the safari as well. Don't get too caught up in the photos to do so! These are great tips, thank you. You are correct in that the long lens is indeed a must. You will probably be shooting from a vehicle and will not actually be as close as you’ll appear in pictures – which is a good thing, because that’s dangerous. Though you will get the occasional very adventurous animal which comes right up to the vehicle. But I think your last point is most important. Yes, take some photos to document your experience, but remember to enjoy the safari as well. Don’t get too caught up in the photos to do so!

]]> By: Anil Sharma http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/comment-page-2#comment-189436 Anil Sharma Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:32:32 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/#comment-189436 These are excellent tips, investing in a professional camera will give the best shots, although obvious it is true, but another tip that you may like to mention after your trip is to invest in some decent photo viewing software. This allows for you to edit out any blemishes or problems within the images and allows you optimise images so thay dont look distorted or pixellated when blow up to a bigger size. To get these amazxing pictures I would suggest going on <a href="http://www.volcanoessafaris.com" rel="nofollow">luxury safaris</a> whereby you will be able to get the best shots and the best sightings of animals. These are excellent tips, investing in a professional camera will give the best shots, although obvious it is true, but another tip that you may like to mention after your trip is to invest in some decent photo viewing software. This allows for you to edit out any blemishes or problems within the images and allows you optimise images so thay dont look distorted or pixellated when blow up to a bigger size. To get these amazxing pictures I would suggest going on luxury safaris whereby you will be able to get the best shots and the best sightings of animals.

]]> By: Anna Patrick http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/comment-page-2#comment-172880 Anna Patrick Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:44:54 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/#comment-172880 Safaris are a great way to discover closely the fascinating African wildlife. What about the people? Here is a photo essay about this contrasting land - Faces of Africa http://www.photographymojo.com/2011/04/faces-of-africa-photo-essay/ Safaris are a great way to discover closely the fascinating African wildlife. What about the people? Here is a photo essay about this contrasting land – Faces of Africa http://www.photographymojo.com/2011/04/faces-of-africa-photo-essay/

]]> By: Robin oberg http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/comment-page-2#comment-138785 Robin oberg Mon, 08 Nov 2010 18:25:33 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/#comment-138785 http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/6661- à link to talks about the negative consequences of safaris http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/6661- à link to talks about the negative consequences of safaris

]]> By: David B http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/comment-page-2#comment-133740 David B Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:19:30 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/#comment-133740 Some great tips! I would agree with the comments about leaving the tripod at home. Generally, you are going to shoot exclusively from the vehicle (if you leave the vehicle, you become prey--not good), and since the vehicle is going to be moving, as the occupants shift, you're better off hand-held. Maybe--just maybe--a monopod could be useful if you're lucky to be with still passengers, but it's simpler to brace an elbow on the vehicle, and not have your camera tethered to just the spots where you can position it on a 'pod. I think sub-400mm lenses are a great option, depending on the area you're visiting. Some reserves prohibit off-road driving, and for those, you will want the longest lens you can stabilize (test this before hand--I rented a 500mm prime for a week at home and found that cropped shots from my 70-200 were sharper hand-held). I was in S.A. and Botswana, and I found myself zoomed out at 70mm regularly, to compose the way I wanted, because we were that close to animals. Don't kill yourself buying/renting and then lugging a glass bazooka around if you don't have to. I only added a 1.4 extender to my zoom on a few occasions, but it was a great, lightweight option when I needed it. I found that a 50 f/1.4 was awesome for dusk shots (and it was small and light). Don't discount that possibility. I have some really neat fluid shots of a leopard climbing down a tree that I couldn't have gotten even with f/2.8. The other thing I'd strongly recommend is a bag that you can secure to your body, while in the car. I used a sling-style bag, and wrapped the sling around my waist while seated. That allowed me to hold on with both hands, which was required to stay in the vehicle at times (seriously). I grew up off-roading in Colorado, and I've been on rougher rides--but not while trying to keep a bag full of camera gear safe. Again, that depends on the area, and how comfortable your driver is with your riding skills. Some great tips! I would agree with the comments about leaving the tripod at home. Generally, you are going to shoot exclusively from the vehicle (if you leave the vehicle, you become prey–not good), and since the vehicle is going to be moving, as the occupants shift, you’re better off hand-held. Maybe–just maybe–a monopod could be useful if you’re lucky to be with still passengers, but it’s simpler to brace an elbow on the vehicle, and not have your camera tethered to just the spots where you can position it on a ‘pod.

I think sub-400mm lenses are a great option, depending on the area you’re visiting. Some reserves prohibit off-road driving, and for those, you will want the longest lens you can stabilize (test this before hand–I rented a 500mm prime for a week at home and found that cropped shots from my 70-200 were sharper hand-held). I was in S.A. and Botswana, and I found myself zoomed out at 70mm regularly, to compose the way I wanted, because we were that close to animals. Don’t kill yourself buying/renting and then lugging a glass bazooka around if you don’t have to. I only added a 1.4 extender to my zoom on a few occasions, but it was a great, lightweight option when I needed it.

I found that a 50 f/1.4 was awesome for dusk shots (and it was small and light). Don’t discount that possibility. I have some really neat fluid shots of a leopard climbing down a tree that I couldn’t have gotten even with f/2.8.

The other thing I’d strongly recommend is a bag that you can secure to your body, while in the car. I used a sling-style bag, and wrapped the sling around my waist while seated. That allowed me to hold on with both hands, which was required to stay in the vehicle at times (seriously). I grew up off-roading in Colorado, and I’ve been on rougher rides–but not while trying to keep a bag full of camera gear safe. Again, that depends on the area, and how comfortable your driver is with your riding skills.

]]> By: Stan http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/comment-page-2#comment-133590 Stan Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:50:45 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/#comment-133590 Thanks for the great article (and the great website!) I have shared your site and articles with my fellow photogs, who have expressed their appreciation for the content. I wanted to pass along the title of a book I recently enjoyed about African safaris from the sometimes humorous, sometimes touching perspective of a guide. The book is "Don't Look Behind You by Peter Allison. FWIW. Thanks, Stan Thanks for the great article (and the great website!)

I have shared your site and articles with my fellow photogs, who have expressed their appreciation for the content.

I wanted to pass along the title of a book I recently enjoyed about African safaris from the sometimes humorous, sometimes touching perspective of a guide. The book is “Don’t Look Behind You by Peter Allison.

FWIW.

Thanks,
Stan

]]> By: gturner http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/comment-page-2#comment-133256 gturner Sat, 25 Sep 2010 13:00:05 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/#comment-133256 unless you are a pro and are going to camp at one waterhole for weeks looking for an special shot, I would strongly recommend that Canon shooters take a 50D/ 7D with a 100-400L. Small, excellent IQ and super IS. 95% of your shots are going to be handheld in good light and medium to long distance. you will not need your 85 1.8. Any night shots are going to be with the vehcile spotlight, so forget any ideas about flash. Your second lens should be wide. 17-40 or 24-70. If you have space, throw in a macro lens. There are awesome creepy crawlies to shoot. Yes you need to look after your kit, but there is no more chance of getting robbed than in big Europe city (Rome. Paris etc) Just don't be dumb. Last suggestion - take good pics, dont try and snap everything you see. Trying to spot a lions ear at 50 paces through a bush is not something you or your friends want to see. Capture good stuff and situations that tell a story. For everything else pick up a coffee table book at the airport. BTW - here is an awesome wildlife safari setup http://www.oryxphotography.com/ unless you are a pro and are going to camp at one waterhole for weeks looking for an special shot, I would strongly recommend that Canon shooters take a 50D/ 7D with a 100-400L. Small, excellent IQ and super IS.

95% of your shots are going to be handheld in good light and medium to long distance. you will not need your 85 1.8. Any night shots are going to be with the vehcile spotlight, so forget any ideas about flash.

Your second lens should be wide. 17-40 or 24-70.

If you have space, throw in a macro lens. There are awesome creepy crawlies to shoot.

Yes you need to look after your kit, but there is no more chance of getting robbed than in big Europe city (Rome. Paris etc) Just don’t be dumb.

Last suggestion – take good pics, dont try and snap everything you see. Trying to spot a lions ear at 50 paces through a bush is not something you or your friends want to see. Capture good stuff and situations that tell a story. For everything else pick up a coffee table book at the airport.

BTW – here is an awesome wildlife safari setup
http://www.oryxphotography.com/

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