December 31st, 2008 - Handy Wildlife Africa Photography Tips
There are a million things to do when preparing for your wildlife Africa dream vacation. The last thing you’re thinking about is that your wildlife pictures may not deliver. You see yourself face to face with a cheetah, the dust of the Savannah shimmering in the African sun, mesmerized by its unblinking eyes as you snap feverishly away. What you don’t see is that you probably wont be allowed to even get out of the tour guides jeep to take that breathtaking close-up.
Now is the time to take a second look at that dinky little camera you’ve been using for every family vacation. Get that wildlife Africa close-up you’ve dreamed about without sticking your head in a lions maw or getting trampled by the annual wildebeest migration. A telephoto lens is the perfect answer. (The ideal range for safely shooting wildlife is between 300 mm. to 600 mm.)
Before You Leave For Your Trip
Carrying out a few simple photography exercises and making some modifications before you ever step on the plane can improve your wildlife Africa photography results 100%.
* Carry your camera with you at all times ” starting today! You never know when you’ll run into a deer (not literally, we hope!). There are probably more species of wildlife in your neighborhood than you’ve ever realized.
* Practice so much that you could find your controls in the dark. It would be heartbreaking to miss a once-in-a-lifetime shot, all because you cant find your power button.
# Use that new telephoto lens at home, instead of a noisy zoom. Now is the time to notice the noises your camera makes, and do what you can to minimize any potentially startling sounds before you ever reach wildlife Africa. You know the proverb ” An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
* Visit your local zoo or game park to observe your desired subjects beforehand, if possible. Read about them. Practice photographing them in a controlled setting.
Bring Your Trip To Life
# Buy a bean bag. They do a wonderful job of cushioning your camera when you’re trying to shoot from a bouncing jeep.
# Include panoramic long shots with landmarks and scenery, as well as zooming in for those spectacular close-ups. A single twisted tree or the sweeping plain dwarfing a herd will create atmosphere. This is what will distinguish your photographs with the unmistakable hallmark of wildlife Africa.
* Remember that malaria is still something to be cautious about. Use repellent, and long, tight clothing buttoned at wrists or ankles.
Learning to photograph wildlife takes practice and patience, but the results will be well worth it. Your wildlife pictures will sparkle. And remember ” the squirrel you shoot today may be the cheetah you capture tomorrow!
And don’t forget to bring a good supply of memory cards!
