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WILDLIFE BLOG
Photo Safari Skills: Panoramas
The idea of a panorama is to take multiple overlapping images of a scene and then stitch the edges together using software to generate one large photo of the whole scene. In the past, this used to be a very tricky technique which involved clever use of layers and transformations in Adobe Photoshop. The latest editions of Lightroom now contain this functionality within the program itself - more on this later. So, when might you want [...]
The Top 5 Wildlife Attractions of the South Luangwa National Park
As the sun breaks the dry-season horizon, its warm pink glow floods the grey dawn. Diurnal birds, emerging from night-time refuges, call to stake their territorial claim and advise would-be competitors that they’ve survived the night. Having scoured the dry land for forage, hippos return as late as they dare to the safety of the river, submerging to a chorus of honking calls. Elephants, which have been feeding beyond the park’s natural river boundary, return with [...]
Wildlife: Going back through the archives
It's often worth re-visiting old images. Not only is it a wonderful trip down memory lane, it often unearths some gems that you might have overlooked in the haste of processing through hundreds of images from a trip. I was recently scouring my libraries for a particular client request and I came across some beautiful images that I had not used for anything before. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed finding [...]
Know your African Wildlife: Carmine Bee-eaters
Carmine bee-eaters are found right across Central, Eastern and Southern Africa. The Northern species extends from Senegal to Somalia and down through Kenya; the Southern species - which visit us in the Luangwa - are found from southern DRC across to western Tanzania and down to the the northern parts of South Africa. They are unmistakable! Apart from their Northern cousins - which have a green face - there is no other bird that resembles them. [...]
Are you ready for a Photo Tour?
During the enquiry and booking process, I talk to hundreds of guests about what's involved in a photo safari in the South Luangwa. One of the most common questions that comes up is whether the guests are "ready for a photo safari". The short answer is that if you love wildlife, enjoy taking photos and improving your photography and are looking for a safari adventure with like-minded people, then you're probably ready for a photo tour! [...]
What’s the best time to visit the Luangwa?!
I am regularly asked what is the best time of year to visit the Luangwa Valley. My answer is that there is actually something special to see at any time of the year in this National Park. However, each season has its special attractions, so I've put together a calendar that outlines the highlights. I've also given an indication of the weather conditions that you can expect during that period. The Cool Dry - April to [...]
Know your African Wildlife: Thornicroft’s Giraffe
Giraffes are a truly African mammal. While elephants', leopards' and even lions' ranges extend into Asia, these unique mammals are special to sub-Saharan Africa. These mammals are best known for their long legs and long necks, evolutionary modifications that give them access to forage beyond the reach of almost all other herbivores (only the largest elephants can reach higher). They're almost exclusively browsers, feeding on leaves and flowers which they gather with a long - almost [...]
Why choose Edward Selfe as your Guide?
Equally important as choosing your safari destination is choosing the guide who will lead your trip. I hold both of Luangwa's coveted guiding qualifications and have thousands of hours experience and knowledge of the Luangwa as a guide and photographer - I don't believe there is anyone better to lead your safari to Luangwa. 7 YEARS' GUIDING EXPERIENCE IN SOUTH LUANGWA I am the only photographic guide living year-round in the South Luangwa National Park. I [...]
Know your African Wildlife: Impalas
"Oh, they're just impala" is a phrase that we've all said - whether intentionally or accidentally - when the movement of ever-present impalas has drawn our eye. But on closer inspection, impalas reveal themselves to be beautiful, resourceful and abundant. And we should not mistake this abundance as a detractor; consider the volume of forage that the ecosystem must generate to accommodate the tens of thousands of impala that survive here. Impala are herd creatures, relying [...]
Photo Safari Skills: Panning/Movement Blur
In this post, I'm going to look at the technique of motion/panning blur. This is a principle which is simple in concept, but tricky to master in practice....but the best part is that it opens up a world of opportunities! The principle of motion blur images is intentionally to slow down your shutter (a long exposure) to capture the movement of your subject against the background. This can be achieved by reducing your ISO and/or closing [...]
Know your African Wildlife: Fish Eagles
The African Fish Eagle is known to all who have travelled to sub-Saharan Africa as a visible, vocal and charismatic bird. Visitors returning to Luangwa often smile in recognition as a nearby Fish Eagle screams its unmistakable territorial call. Large eagles often pair for life, or form a "long term pair bond" as it's know to wildlife scientists. Fish Eagles are no exception, and I have enjoyed watching the same pairs hold territories for many years [...]
EDWARD SELFE
I organise & run photographic safaris in the finest wildlife areas on Earth.
