Wildlife shooting

I was recently in the Kapama Private Game Reserve for a 4 day wildlife shoot. I feel I need to share my experiences of that shoot.

1. What equipment to pack?
   Now that is a rather good question, to shoot wildlife I recommend the following 2 lenses:

   - A 100-400mm, you will need the reach
   

   A long lens is advisable for shoots like these.
   - A 24-70mm f/2.8, to shoot before and just after sunrise/sunset, when reach is not that important any more.
   - I would also take a 70-200mm f/2.8 if I could for the same reasons as above.

   I also recommend a professional flash for the night and spare batteries. To catch the boma’s (restaurant), a tripod may come in handy. Don’t forget plenty storage and camera batteries.

   

   A tripod is required to get shoot’s like this one.

2. Travelling
   If you are travelling by plane, chances are that an international carry-on bag will not fit in the cabin of a local flight to a small airport like Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit, to my horror. It will fit under the seat but to your comfort cost. I have a Think Tank Airport Acceleration V2 and under the seat it just fits. I recommend that you check what kind of airplane you will be using and the maximum weight allowed on board.
3. Shooting
   Be ready for anything, choose your lens carefully before leaving, I typically leave with a 70-200mm early in the morning and switch to the 100-400mm when light permits. In the evening I apply the same reversed.
   Set your camera to the highest continuous shooting mode it has, I also set my ISO to auto but be careful to check that it does not go too high. I also shoot entirely in RAW and mostly in Shutter Speed Priority.
   I get asked why Shutter Speed Priority, it is really simple to avoid movement blur, unless I want it.
   Slow shutter speeds will result in movement blur.
4. The rangers
   Talk to your ranger and try to sit behind him, you’ll get a better angle every time.
   Framing can be achieved with your ranger’s help.
5. Flash?
   I hear a lot of criticism regarding flashes in wildlife photography, so I will let a couple of photos speak for themselves and let you decide…

But I think more important is to enjoy the experience and come back with some trophies.

On a personal note I would like to thank the rangers and staff of Kapama Main Lodge for their impeccable support and assistance.

Related posts:

1. About photographing marine wildlife from terra-firma…
2. Wildlife photography in a studio!
3. To SLR or not to SLR that is the question.
4. Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site
5. Funny animals

Tags: Photography Tips, Traveling, Wildlife