PHOTOGRAPHY ON SAFARI

Cameras are a top priority on what to pack list for any safari/travel, however in addition to these it’s good to carry along a note book; journal entries will greatly augment the pictorial records and provide an account of the trip that can be enjoyed for many years. Digital cameras are now the centuries must have however for one still using the reel film camera don’t discard them as yet as these a very practical and give one the best image lessons. For best result from the two kinds while on safari these should have in built telephoto lenses, because wildlife photography involves a lot of telescopic shooting due to the distance usually observed, animals being so agile and therefore it is best to bring a standard 35mm SLR camera and good telephoto lenses. For professional wildlife photographers lenses in the 500mm to 800mm range give the results and quality desired but are impractical for causal visitors; however a 28mm to 100mm and 100mm to 300mm can also do the trick.

Camera positioning is important for one to get those memorable holiday pictures whether shooting from a hide, motor vehicle or on foot you should try to brace the camera with whatever support available, especially if you are using a long lens. A tripod is best, but very inconvenient when using a vehicle. A monopod is a practical compromise whereas a door frame, tree or rocks are the other alternatives.

As it is that most safari picture are taken from roof hatches of safari vehicles it is a good idea to avoid camera shakes with a bean bag filled with beans, sand or rice, rest on the roof of the vehicle and mold the lens into it while photographing from a safari vehicle. Whereas shooting from the roof hatch can create a stereotyped imagery, shooting from a lower angle out of a side window frequently results into more striking and dramatic pictures.

Time of the while greatly impact on the light necessary thus having an effect on picture quality, the best times recommended to take pictures in the bush are before 9am and 4pm when the sun is low and not too fierce. In the middle of the day unless it is over cast, the light is simply too bright, bleached out colors and shadows are impenetrably black. For the one using non digital camera, faster film from 200 to 400 ISO is best in low light situations at dawn and dusk when using telephoto lens. For the best landscape or relief feature the wet season offers the most clarity and color mix as there is low precipitation due to low temperatures.

In order to enhance and have light control lens filters are very handy for example when the sun is high a polarizing filter can help to diffuse the worst of rays, a warm amber filter such as an 81A is useful to correct the bleaching out of color. At the very least an ultraviolet filter fitted because it does correct the blue blur you sometimes see on the distant horizon, but also protects your lens. Video cameras are nice for they have telephoto lenses, are easy to use and perform well in low light. In most instances only the most expensive digital cameras allow the use of filters, however as a matter of precaution if you are using camcorders or digital cameras, carry along plenty of rechargeable batteries because for their quality functionality heavily relies on power.

With the increasing advancement in technology the trend in many safari camps lodges and even innovations in vehicle design has compiled them to have recharging facilities, very often you find areas designated for this purpose though you may have to wait your turn in a queue. During the dry/hot season of the year dust can be a hazard to photographic equipment so it is important to protect your camera from wind blown dust when you are loading or unloading film and it is a good idea to always keep your equipment in sealed polythene bags to store when not in use, have lens cleaning brushes or soft cotton cloth to clean.