Embarking on a safari is a thrilling adventure that offers the unique opportunity to witness wildlife in its natural habitat. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an enthusiastic beginner, capturing the essence of these majestic creatures and breathtaking landscapes requires skill, preparation, and patience. Here’s a few essential tips and tricks to help elevate your safari photography game and bring home your perfectly captured Bush Ways Safari experience!
Choose the Right Gear
Before you embark on your safari, ensure you have the appropriate photography gear. A sturdy DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses is ideal for capturing distant subjects and fast-moving animals. A telephoto lens with a long focal length (300mm or more) is essential for close-ups of wildlife, while a wide-angle lens can capture sweeping landscapes and panoramic shots.
Wildlife 101
Knowledge about the animals, their behavior, and the habitat you’ll be photographing is useful information to have. Our Bush Ways Guides have extensive information on the wildlife, landscapes, vegetations and creature habits that will help you anticipate the wildlife you are likely to encounter on your safari. Knowing a bit about the wildlife you’re likely to come across will help you anticipate their movements and get you into position for the perfect shot.
Timing is Everything
The golden hours (early morning and late afternoon) offer soft, warm light that enhances the colors and textures of your subjects. Animals are also more active during these times, providing ample opportunities for engaging shots. Our safari game drives are generally centered around these times to maximise good sighting opportunities! Be prepared to wake up early and stay alert throughout your safari to make the most of these magical moments.
Framing and Angles
If you really want to create visually captivating images, try using how the elements and subjects in the photo are arranged. Using leading lines and framing of natural elements like trees, rocks, or water bodies to frame your subjects and add depth to your photos really makes a difference. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to create unique and captivating images.
Patience and Observation
Safari photography demands patience. It’s important to keep in mind that in the untamed wild, anything can happen. Animals generally do tend to have behaviours and patterns, however, this can also change at any given time. Avoid rushing into taking shots and instead, try to wait for the right moment when the animal is in an interesting pose or engaged in an interesting activity to really tell a story.
Focus on Details
While capturing the splendour of a landscape is essential, don’t forget to zoom in and focus on the finer details. The texture of an animal’s fur, the intensity in their eyes, or the patterns on their skin can provide intimate and captivating shots that show emotion and character. This also works for pictures of flowers, plants and trees to showcase their distinct features.
Camera Stabilization
Sometimes the roads on safari can get quite bumpy, making it challenge to maintain steady shots, especially with long lenses. Our knowledgeable guides will be sure to stop along the way or position our customised game viewer vehicle to help you get the perfect shot. In addition, you can use the ledge of the vehicle or a bean bag (available on request) to help stabilize your camera and eliminate camera shake. Maintaining a sturdy hand is crucial for achieving sharp images, especially when using slower shutter speeds or high magnification. Taking deep slow breaths also helps reduce your hands shaking and minimises blurry images.
Safari photography is a blend of technical skills, artistic vision, and respect for nature. By following these tips, you can enhance your chances of capturing breathtaking images that not only showcase the beauty of wildlife but also tell compelling stories about their lives in the wild. Remember, every Bush Ways Safari is a unique experience, so be open to adapting your techniques and embracing the unexpected to create truly exceptional photographs. So what are you waiting for? Email safari-res@bushways.com now to book your safari and let’s make timeless memories together!
