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WILDLIFE BLOG
Guest Report: Vicky Fry, UK | Flatdogs Camp & Zikomo Safari Lodge | 2 – 9 October 2017
During a safari, we spend time over lunch reviewing guests' images, chatting about composition, camera settings and various techniques. With those who wish to, we also start doing some editing work on the computer. In this way, I have a chance to see how my guests are getting on, help them with areas that are more difficult and ensure they get the best from the trip. However, I don't get to see all the guests' images [...]
Photo Safari Skills: Photographing moving subjects
Most modern cameras have auto-focus systems that perform extraordinarily well. As a photographer, we need to instruct the camera which point in the frame should be in focus (by moving the focus point selector in the viewfinder) but then the camera will do the rest. This is a simplification, of course, because there are times when cameras do fail to achieve correct focus, but they generally perform very well. Where cameras are really breaking new ground [...]
Through the Lens: Hungry Baboon
It was early afternoon, and the light was still bright. The high-contrast was too much for photographing elephant, zebra or giraffe, but there were still some good opportunities to be had at the start of this afternoon drive. When I spotted this baboon sitting on a low branch, eating a sausage fruit, I drove closer to watch. It's remarkable to observe the strength of a relatively small primate as it rips through the tough flesh of [...]
Know your African Wildlife: Puku
Puku are a medium-sized, stocky antelope which make a living in the grassy dambos across Zambia and into the margins of Zambia’s neighbours. As with many of Africa’s antelope, they live in herds of females, youngsters and immature males, headed by a dominant territorial male. Being predominantly grazers, they thrive along the waterways in Luangwa where the best grass can be found. Puku are an elegant and engaging antelope which thrive in grassland areas. Males carry [...]
Through the Lens: Coming to Drink
This image is one of my favourite images from my 10 years in the Luangwa. We had spent a long time with this particular buffalo herd as the crossed a dusty plain on their way to the river. We knew they were heading to drink, but that it would take some time before they got there. We enjoyed taking low-level photos of dusty feet, and we also tried some creative shots; I remember well suggesting that [...]
Photo Safari Report: Double Luangwa | Flatdogs Camp & Zikomo Safaris | 2 – 9 October 2017
I have just finished my last group photographic safari of the season. I still have a couple more short safaris in October - so there will be more updates from the increasingly dry Luangwa - but the main part of the 2017 season has passed! Having had such great trips throughout the year, I was nervous about whether the final trip would match up. As always, I start each safari with slight apprehension, hoping that I [...]
Know your African Wildlife: Wild Dogs
Sightings of Wild Dogs are among the most sought-after by safari visitors. This is partly because they are interesting, charismatic and extremely beautiful, and largely because declining numbers have turned them into a rarity in many areas. Some of the 9 pups from the Hot Springs Pack eye me up from their resting place with the rest of the pack. If there is one characteristic that embodies Wild Dogs, it is their ability to run! Their [...]
Photo Safari Skills: Animalscapes
Generating images of animals in their environment can be done in two ways; by using a wide-angle lens from very close to your subject or by using a telephoto lens (zoomed to between 100mm and 500mm) and keeping a large distance from your subject. In both cases, you will include large amounts of the habitat and create an image where the subject has a place in its surroundings...an image which tells a story of the animal's [...]
Photo Safari Report: Philip Theo | Nsefu Sector | 18 – 24 September 2017
I occasionally run private safaris for individual photographers hoping to enjoy the best chance of working on their skills. Africa Geographic Travel have recently arranged two such safaris with me, based in the fantastic Nsefu Sector of the South Luangwa National Park. Philip Theo and I have been in touch for some months, and I knew from our first emails that we were going to have a great trip. It was immediately clear to me that [...]
Through the Lens: Rim-lit Hyaena
I was recently leading a photo safari in the Nsefu Sector of the South Luangwa National Park. 3 lions had killed a buffalo the previous day. We had enjoyed all the drama of this sighting the previous morning and afternoon. By the time we returned on the second morning, the lions had moved away and the hyaenas were making short work of the left-overs. It was interesting to watch and photograph the hyaenas at work, fighting [...]
Photo Safari Report: Peter Sandyford | Nsefu Sector | 12 – 18 September 2017
I occasionally lead private safaris for individual photographers in South Luangwa. This gives them time to practice their skills and enjoy one-to-one photographic tuition. Peter came to me via Africa Geographic Travel who run a wide range of specialist safaris throughout the region. But AGT seem to have a soft spot for South Luangwa, with its stunning scenery and excellent game, as they keep sending great bookings to me! I had a fantastic week with Peter, [...]
Photo Safari Skills: Preparing for your Photo-Safari
So you've booked your photo-safari - many congratulations! You are in for an outstanding photographic experience alongside a wonderful wildlife safari. But.....it's probably as much as a year away?! How should you best prepare in the intervening time so that you are ready to make the best of the experience? I've put together a summary of some of the ways you can get ready for the experience. I hope you enjoy reading. 1. Your kitPhotographic safaris [...]
EDWARD SELFE
I organise & run photographic safaris in the finest wildlife areas on Earth since.
