Edition 43: Summer 2008

Just because you are a novice photographer toting a pocket-sized digital camera on your next safari doesn’t mean you have resign yourself to simple holiday snaps. With advice from professional photographers Tracey Rich and Andy Rouse you can bring home some magazine-quality shots that have nothing to do with luck.

Careful driving
Canon EOS 5D DSLR, 300mm F2.8L lens, ISO 100, 1/500th at f6.3
Safari vehicles can provide the ideal mobile hide when in the bush. Experienced guides will know exactly how to approach an animal, getting you close while also not disturbing the subject of your photograph. It never hurts to ask a driver to explain his or her actions – don’t be afraid to ask them to stop if you feel that they are bending the rules of the bush. Causing stress to an animal for the sake of a photograph is a no-no.

Leopard in tree
Canon EOS 1DS MK2 DSLR, 300mm F2.8L lens, ISO 100, 1/250th at f5.6
One benefit of the midday sun is that you can find elusive creatures, such as the leopard, hanging out in the open. Leopards are usually draped across a branch of their favourite tree, catching the cooling breezes rustling through the leaves. Shadows can make the shot difficult, but if you’re patient they’ll eventually make a move into the light.

A wry smile
Canon EOS 1DS MK2 DSLR, 70-200mm F2.8L lens, ISO 100, 1/125th at f4
Unlike most animals that seek shade to keep cool during the hottest part of the day, cold-blooded animals are active sun worshippers. Like sunbathers heading to the beach, Nile crocodiles emerge onto the riverbanks to soak up the rays and warm their reptilian skin. Keep your eyes focused and you’ll be surprised how many of these cryptic creatures you can spot. The fantastic zoom facilities on many smaller digital cameras enable you to get in really close and personal without putting yourself in danger.

Pro-Photographer's Top Tips

• Although tempting, don’t hold digital cameras at arms length while using the rear screen to compose your shot. Always look through the optical viewfinder – you will get a sharper image.
• Support for your camera is all-important. A small camera is actually more difficult to keep steady so use anything you can find: a car window or roof hatch is ideal to steady your shaky hands. Make sure you ask your safari driver to switch the engine off (if it is safe to do) as this will minimise vibrations.
• Don’t take photos while standing in a safari vehicle. Shooting from a low angle will often catch important highlights, and make the image much more dramatic.
• Avoid leaving your lens pointing into the sun. The power of the sun is magnified by the lens and can cause damage to the camera’s internal workings.
• The blazing midday sun is never a flattering light on anything, so try to find animals that are dozing in the shade, where the light is softer.
• When walking or motoring along, put your lens cap on or (at the very least) point your lens away from the direction of travel. This prevents dust and dirt from flying straight onto the lens surface.
• Make sure that you take a cleaning cloth with you (a sunglass cleaning cloth and fluid will do – you can pick one up at the airport if you forget). Try not to clean your lens when out and about but do give it a wipe over every night when you get back to your tent.
• Any professional photographer or artist will tell you that light is everything – it makes the difference between a good image and an average one. You might not be able to control this but you can work with it. Get up and out before or at sunrise and you will be rewarded for your efforts by atmospheric light and active animals.
• Turn your flash off. All too often compact cameras will automatically trigger the flash when conditions are dark. Besides not being powerful enough to illuminate subjects (unless they are incredibly close), they will also disturb animals, scaring them away. With the flash off, your camera will better adjust to the low light and you’ll get better images.