Going on safari is one of the most exciting and satisfying trips a person can take.
It’s a unique opportunity to see some of the wildest animals on earth in the flesh, and the experience of seeing an animal right in front of you is unparalleled.
Seeing everything in person is exciting, but many people – such as nature photographer John Quarenghi – will want to take a memento of this experience home with them.
With wildlife photography you must be quick and ready at every moment to take the winning shot. Here are some top tips on how to take the best safari photography:
Have The Right Equipment
You can’t expect to take an impressive photo without the right photography equipment. Most photographers like to shoot with SLR cameras that have removable lenses.
This means that you can switch the lens depending on the time of day, or the distance that you’re viewing the animals from.
You should also bring a camera that has a good flash, and lint-free cloths to remove any dust from your camera lens in between shots.
Choose Your Support Wisely
When you’re in a moving vehicle, it can be all too easy for your photos to end up looking blurry. Setting up a tripod to mount your camera on while you’re moving is the easiest way to avoid this problem.
Tripods aren’t too expensive and you can easily place them on any flat surface, or use a tripod clamp that you can attach to the jeep while driving.
Experiment With Your Composition
There are plenty of iconic photos that are taken on African safaris, so try to think outside the box by coming up with your own compositions.
It can be tempting to always go for the easy shots, but taking the extra time to line up your camera, use a different perspective, or go for a more abstract approach can be far more rewarding.
Make Sure You Have Storage Space
The last – and perhaps most important – thing to remember is to make sure you have plenty of storage space on your camera’s memory card.
There’s nothing worse than snapping a few shots and then realizing your camera’s memory is full. Delete any old photos and if you can, bring an extra memory card with you just in case.