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Why Choose a Photo-Safari in South Luangwa?
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT SAFARIS IN THE SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK? ONE OF THE FINEST WILDLIFE DESTINATIONS ON EARTH The South Luangwa National Park is one of the most densely populated game areas in Africa. The meandering Luangwa River carves an ever-changing course leaving ox-bow lagoons which support vast quantities of wildlife. There are not many national parks where there is a sighting "on every corner" but the South Luangwa is one. THE LUANGWA IS A [...]
Tips for Wildlife Photographers: #5 “Settings for Safari Photography”
Whether you use an iPhone, a point-and-shoot, a film SLR or a top-of-the-line digital SLR, the camera creates an image using a combination of 3 variables. These three variables combine to control the amount of light that creates the final image. THE THREE VARIABLES These three variables are the Shutter Speed, the Aperture and the ISO/Film speed. Let's look at each of these in turn. 1. The Shutter Speed (S) might more correctly be called the [...]
Photo Safari Report: Segall, Strugnell & Lewis | Marula Lodge | 12 – 16 September 2016
A guest of mine - who has been on safari with me a couple of times - recommended some of his friends from Australia should contact me for a safari. I helped them to put together a 5-day trip in Luangwa, before they headed off to see Victoria Falls and do some fishing on the Zambezi. I'm always pleased when past guests recommend their friends to me, but expectations are always very high because stories from [...]
Photo Safari Report: Luangwa Classic | Flatdogs Camp & Lion Camp | 5 – 11 September 2016
I run many trips in Luangwa during the year, but my Flatdogs Camp & Lion Camp trips are the first that I led, more than 4 years ago. The formula of 3 nights at each camp still works, and many of my best photo opportunities have come from these tours. My latest trip was particularly enjoyable because the sightings were outstanding - we often checked with each other to be sure that we were really seeing [...]
Wildlife: Lions Crossing Luangwa
There is something special about watching animals navigate through open water. Perhaps it's the beauty of the reflections, or perhaps the possibility that there will be an altercation with a hidden crocodile, or perhaps simply the noise that they make when seeking a safe path through. Whatever it is, I love to watch animals crossing rivers and lagoons, and take time to ensure we get into the best spot for photos. Perhaps most exciting of all [...]
Guest Report: Marlies Vermeesch-Holtmann, NL | Flatdogs Camp & Zikomo Safari | 5 – 17 August 2016
Marlies is one of a group of 4 friends from the Netherlands who joined me for a 12-night safari in August. We had a lot of fun together and I remember plenty of amusement and laughter. Luangwa was fantastic over those two weeks and we enjoyed great sightings. But, as you see, Marlies's priority was also beautiful photos! She very kindly wrote a few words about their trip. On August 5th we started a twelve day [...]
Tips for Wildlife Photographers: #4 “Composition”
I offer plenty of advice to my guests when we are on safari especially at the beginning of the trip and when we are approaching something exciting. I often mention an ISO that I think will give a fast enough shutter speed, or I suggest a shutter speed itself. I also suggest over- and under-exposure adjustments if I think they are needed. But I don't often make suggestions about composition. This is intentional, since I love [...]
Photo Safaris: New Flagship Tour Posted
FINEST LUANGWA: NSEFU SECTOR ULTIMATE PHOTO SAFARI "Peak-season safari with sightings and lighting conditions at their finest, in a remote and exclusive area of South Luangwa National Park"
Through the Lens: Golden Leopard
We were very fortunate to enjoy an outstanding leopard sighting on our last morning of safari last week. The sighting occurred just as the sun was coming above the trees, and a shaft of beautiful light struck the cat from the side. What made the image was that much of the surroundings of the image were not hit by that same golden light, and were very dark. The moment I saw the leopard walking down the [...]
Photo Safari Report: Vermeesch & Dousi | Flatdogs Camp & Zikomo Safari | 5 – 17 August 2016
I had been looking forward to this safari from the moment I took the booking last year: 12 nights in two different camps at a great time of the year in Luangwa. I could already feel the excitement that I knew would grow every time we set out from camp on safari. We chose to use Flatdogs Camp, a very comfortable lodge on the Luangwa river, just 2 minutes from the main entrance to the National [...]
Wildlife: Elephant Heaven in Nsefu
Early on our last morning, we found these two lionesses resting on the river bank. They had stalked and chased a warthog, but failing to catch it, they settled down to sleep. Their heads were kept up by the presence of 6 lions on the other bank of the river behind us. We waited over an hour for elephants to come to the river and cross. We were rewarded as this family met a crocodile mid-stream [...]
Photo Safari Skills: An alternative to Back-button Focus
Ever since auto-focus appeared on cameras, photographers have used the shutter button to focus, meter and take the final shot - half-press to focus & meter, and full-press to take the shot. When you half-pressed the shutter button, the camera's focusing system would behave in one of two ways: if you had AF-S (Nikon) or ONE SHOT (Canon) selected, the camera would achieve focus using your selected focus point(s) and then hold that focus until you [...]
EDWARD SELFE
I organise & run photographic safaris in the finest wildlife areas on Earth since.
