Wildlife photography takes on many different forms. The most common type is that epic scene; a lion sitting on a rock during a thrilling lightening storm, a silhouette of elephants walking in a single line at sunset, or of hungry cheetahs chasing down their meal.

Such incredible photos dominate wildlife magazines and photograph competitions. They are what has come to be expected of wildlife shots, especially those coming out of Africa, but if you don’t want to look the same as everyone else when it comes to your personal photography style or if you’ve grown tired of those sorts of images, there is another option that you can experiment with, and that is macro photography.

Getting really up close to your subject is probably not the first thing that you think of when you think about wildlife photography, and that is because most wildlife scenes require you to be quite far away from your subject. When in the bush, animals are almost always going to be seen at a distance, and this is a good thing because it allows you to have enough space to compose a beautiful image.

With macro photography, you are experiencing the exact opposite. You will generally be so close to your subject that composition won’t actually be necessary, at least not so far as the background is concerned.

When it comes to photography of any kind, there are many elements that are considered by the experts to be necessary in order to call any photo a great shot. The lighting has to be right, the subject has to be well composed and some will say there needs to be a good amount of bokeh while others will disagree and say that having some sort of background is the ultimate goal.

And even if you get every aspect of it just right, you will end up having some people still unimpressed, because that is the thing about photography; greatness is a matter of perspective.

There was once a time when photography was a serious skill that would take years to hone. Because just a few short years ago most photographers, the pros and amateurs alike, would shoot on film. This meant you wouldn’t know if you had managed to get the perfect shot until after the film had been processed.

These days we have the luxury of digital cameras and all of the advancements that have come with them, which makes them quite perfect for practicing as well as for helping to fine-tune the various elements that make a good photo because you will actually be able to preview what the image will look like before you take the shot.

As for the elements, here is what you should think about the next time you do wildlife photography, if your goal is a great shot:

1. The Rule of Thirds

You will hear this term a lot when learning photography because it is a common principle which is used to compose a memorable image. With the rule of thirds your goal is to not have the subject in the centre of your image, but instead you are going to place the subject to one side or the other, usually in a top or bottom corner. The best way to line up your subject using the rule of thirds is to make use of the camera grid.

1. Make the most of the lighting

Lighting can absolutely set the mood for the entire photo. And it can also be that one element that turns a photo from good to great. Lighting in the wild is pretty magical just as it is, but you need to know when the light is good and how to set your exposure just right so that you take full advantage of it. And forget about the golden hour, with wildlife photography the blue hour is going to make your image a lot more impressive.

1. Perspective matters

Anyone can see something amazing in the bush and click the shutter. But not everyone has the ability to see a story in the bush and capture the image in such a way that it conveys something special. This is a skill, one that takes a lot of practice to perfect but once you get the hang of it you will never look at photography the same way again, and you will also see that your photos begin to show more than just the subject.

If you’d like to enjoy a wildlife photography safari in the company of a professional, we have a variety of options you can consider. For more information, you can have a look at our website or contact us.

Kruger Safarisare the perfect excuse to get out there and flex your skills. And you don’t have to be a professional to take some fantastic images while in the Park.

Kruger Park photo safaris, and Africa photo safaris in general, offer a unique approach to the safari experience and they focus predominantly on providing those on tour with an unforgettable journey primarily focused on taking fantastic photos.

In this month’s blog, we are discussing gear. It is a hot topic, because there are some who believe the best gear you have is what you have on you, while others will encourage photographers to invest in more expensive new gear to up their game.

But before we get into the topic, understand that we know not everyone has the money to splurge on equipment they might only use once.

And if you are an amateur, don’t feel pressured to buy gear. Instead, if you want the benefits of the equipment we mention, without paying out the money, we suggest renting the equipment you will need. There are a few places close to the Kruger National Park where you can rent equipment, and a quick Google search will lead you in the right direction.

The Equipment

• Invest in an SLR Digital Camera

There are all types of cameras on today’s market. Mirrorless, Point and Shoot, and DSLR are about the most popular at the moment, and each differs in terms of price and capability. Point and Shoot is generally compact and light, and will have its lens attached to it. The Mirrorless and DSLR cameras can also be compact but they  allow the photographer to attach various lenses.

So which is best?

Hands down, the DSLR. The image quality, even from a distance is quite outstanding, and its capabilities, including manual functions which will give you full control over the shutter, the aperture and the ISO.

DSLR cameras are also quite affordable these days, so if you are a keen photographer, this is well worth the investment.

• Invest in the right lens

If you go for the Point and Shoot you will not need a lens, simply because your camera will not be able to accommodate one. So buying the right camera is important if you want to make use of the best lenses.

A super-telephoto lens, preferably with a 300mm focal length are ideal for safaris as they allow you to take full photos from quite the distance away. You should also consider shorter lenses, as well as having a macro lens. There will be times when what you want to photograph is a lot closer than your telephoto lens will accommodate, in this case, a more appropriate lens will be the best option.

• Other extras

Tripods are a must, although depending on the type you choose, you are unlikely to use a massive tripod while in the vehicle. Tripods are ideal for removing shake from your photos and they are a must for those evening star photos. You can also bring along a beanbag which you can use to lean your lens on for support. This is especially helpful if the lens is rather heavy.

Wild Photo Africa offers a unique photographic experience for all kinds of photographers. Taking our guests deep into the heart of the Kruger National Park, our guests can look forward to a truly rewarding experience.

Make your booking today.

The Dos, the Don’ts and the Tips you need to know

Every photographer, whether they have turned their hobby into a profession or are simply enjoying the immense fun and creativity that is associated with picking up a camera and snapping away at all sorts of things, can benefit from having a guide when they embark on their first photo safari.

The ever changing Kruger National Park is the kind of place that every photographer dreams of visiting. Even if you are not a massive wildlife photography fan, you can agree that the animals, plants, birds and trees all make for exquisite images.

Photos from the Park feature in coffee books, magazines and prints all over the world, and are treasured for their beauty and for the fact that they are quite the conversation starter. The sheer abundance of the number of animals in the Park, and the diversity of the species, makes even a single day in the Kruger well worth the visit. 

One benefit of signing up for a photo safari is that the wildlife that roam the Park are quite used to passing vehicles so they are not likely to flee when a safari vehicle gets too close.

Photo Safari Tips from the Pros

Clear Days: On these days, you’ll want to get out there in the 2 hours after the sun has risen and in the 2 hours before the sun sets. These are your “golden hours” when you will have the best possible natural lighting. Early morning lighting provides a certain clear brightness that you won’t get at any other time of the day.

Afternoon sunlight has a deeper glow to it, and this makes it the perfect light for setting the mood.

Overcast days: Although they are quite rare, these are perfect days for shooting as the light is ideal for just about the whole day. On these days you can also bring in your flash and use it to really bring the subject into focus.

Turn off your vehicle: If you are a part of a guided safari group, your guide will know how important it is to turn off the engine. The vibration of a running engine can cause your images to blur, so if you are travelling on your own, remember to cut the engine.

Animal close ups: Obviously you can’t leave your vehicle and just walk up to the animals. Instead you should either have a quality lens that allows you to zoom without lowering the quality of the image or you need to just be patient and hope the animal comes closer to you.

The Do’s and the Do Not’s

Some of these are simply Park rules while others are good practices to keep in mind:

• Always respect the animals and the surrounding nature you find yourself in
• Show respect to your fellow visitors
• Have a chat with other visitors and find out what they have seen and where
• Stay in the vehicle at all times unless you are in a place where you are allowed to get out