For the majority of people, taking pictures during an African safari is essential. Although the abundance of fantastic photo chances is motivating, it’s crucial for novices to set reasonable expectations. Beautiful animal photos shot by experts who spent months attempting to capture the perfect photograph are all over the media, and no one on a one-time vacation is likely to live up to those standards.

When learning how to snap images on safari, there are many different factors to take into account. Here are a few African safari photography suggestions to get you started, including what gear to use, the best camera setup, the best lenses, and night safari photography for novices.

Tip 1: Equipment Advice for Safari Photography

Purchase a high-quality SLR camera along with a few lenses. It will be frustrating to utilize a camera setup that doesn’t include at least a 300mm lens for wildlife photography. Having two cameras is ideal since switching lenses takes time and you risk missing the action. Additionally, when you change lenses, dust tends to sneak into the sensor, which causes spots to appear on your images. For nighttime safari photography, always have a flash with you.

 

Second Tip: Support for Cameras

Stable support is almost as crucial as the actual photographic equipment. When you are on foot, always have a tripod with you. However, a tripod is often awkward inside the car. An appropriate clamp with a tripod head might be used in its place; it’s slow to move around for various locations but excellent for panning and following action.

In most cases, a beanbag is a preferable alternative because you can bring it empty to conserve weight then fill it with rice or beans once you get to the nation. Laundry bags or pillowcases are a great way to keep dust off of cameras that are sitting around in the van.

 

Third Tip: Storage

Bringing enough memory cards is a key piece of advice for wildlife photography on African safaris. You’ll wind up taking a lot of pictures and occupying a lot of memory space since wildlife photography provides many opportunities for action photography. Large memory cards that can store a full day’s worth of photos are what I like.

Having to switch cards in the middle of a game is the most annoying thing ever. I create a backup on an external drive and download the cards to my laptop at the end of the day. After that, I format the cards for usage the next day. You should backup your memory cards on a compatible device even if you don’t have a laptop with you.

 

Tip #4: Configuration

There are no ideal or proper conditions for taking pictures of wildlife. Thus, mastering the fundamentals of photography and comprehending the connection between shutter speed and aperture are crucial. In addition to controlling the depth of field, this will allow you to freeze action and prevent camera wobble.

 

Fifth Tip: Composition

Although the technical details can be a little intimidating, compositional awareness is as crucial. Practice is key to developing that photographic eye, even though some people may be more skilled at creating the ideal shot.

Examining the framing and all of the edges carefully before pressing the shutter is a smart place to start. Usually, anything that doesn’t enhance the picture distracts. Additionally, take careful not to accidentally trim off treetops, limbs, or anything else that would look nicer in its whole.

 

Tip 6: Perspective and Angles

It is tempting to capture a close-up picture of animals by zooming in as near as possible. This could produce a number of really useful field guide images, but it can be beneficial to think creatively and use different viewpoints and angles. Sometimes an animal in a larger context conveys a more compelling narrative.

 

Working With the Light is Tip No. 7.

Photography is heavily reliant on light. On safari, knowing when to shoot photos is nearly as crucial as knowing how. With the sun low in the sky, the best lighting occurs in the early morning and late afternoon. Because it provides usable light conditions for photography throughout the day, overcast weather functions as a giant softbox. You may still capture some nice pictures at a waterhole with animals coming to drink in the middle of the day, even though the strong midday sun is not particularly flattering.

Tip 8: Pay Attention to Your Eyes

We typically use a low depth of focus (small f-stop) while taking wildlife photos because it helps the animal stand out against distracting flora and surroundings. We may also utilize a higher shutter speed because of this, which reduces camera wobble and freezes motion. As long as the eyes are razor sharp, we often tolerate less sharpness in other areas of the body. Thus, it is essential to keep the eyes in mind at all times.

 

Tip 9: Setting Up the Car

Making the most of your African safari is the goal of your driver-guide. The majority of guides are skilled at identifying animals and can provide fascinating details related to the encounters. However, a lot of people aren’t really sure how to snap pictures on safari and may want some help setting up the car to capture the ideal angles. To gain the ideal position, don’t be afraid to speak with the driver. At spotting, make sure the engine is off as well.

 

Tip 10: Have patience

The secret to taking amazing wildlife shots is patience. Staying with a potentially good sighting is more profitable than driving from animal to animal. Investing time will allow you to witness some fascinating animal behavior. Photographs of wildlife that capture interaction or action are typically the most satisfying, and this frequently calls for patience and forethought.

 

Tip 11: Pay Attention to the Little Things

On safari, it’s simple to become overly fixated on the Big Five and other large species. This is due in part to the fact that the Big Five are highly promoted, and spotting them appears to be the primary goal of any safari. But taking pictures of birds and small animals may also be very fulfilling. A picture of a beautiful bird in flight or a dung beetle is more evocative than another picture of a lion napping. Making reservations for a walking safari is a great way to concentrate on the little things.

Tip 12: Be safe at all times

Being safe at all times is maybe the most crucial piece of advice for African safari photographers. One can occasionally get carried away in the quest for the ideal shot, but no picture is worth jeopardizing your safety for. Remember that every animal on safari is untamed and unpredictable.

 

Tip 13: Creating Memories in addition to Pictures

It should be enjoyable to take pictures when on safari. There’s no reason to let photography take over every encounter unless you’re a professional photographer. Sometimes it’s worth setting the camera aside and taking a moment to slow down and enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of the African bush.

 

Tip 14: People Photography

In addition to providing excellent opportunity for animal photography, a safari should also provide you with some fulfilling human contacts. At the conclusion of the day, the staff at your lodge is usually delighted to hear about your exploits, and you’ll most likely develop a strong bond with your guide. When you exit the safari van, don’t put your camera away; instead, take pictures of anybody you come across. Just remember to always be respectful and ask permission before doing anything.

 

Tip 15: Show consideration for wildlife

Don’t bother animals only to get a better photo. Photographers and tourists should only be there to observe. Never attempt to influence the scene in front of us. Never disrupt a hunt by whistling to rouse an animal for a better picture. In addition to being unethical, it annoys other visitors.