Providing tips for amateur and professional photographers visiting the reserve

Whether you are using your smartphone or any device to take your photographs, capturing that perfect wildlife photograph is not always easy, but it doesn’t need to be hard either. Wildlife comes in many forms, from the magnificent lion, to the graceful giraffe or the eye-catching zebra. As you get into photographing wildlife, you will discover that most animals are unpredictable and fast, and the time of day and associated weather can also impact your photos. These factors can work to your advantage:

Know your Device

Whether you are using a top-of-the-range DSLR or mirrorless camera, it is important to know if your camera is capable of capturing images with a high dynamic range (HDR). This feature can be enabled in your settings to capture more detail in the image’s shadows and highlights. The burst mode setting, which captures multiple photographs at once, can be helpful when photographing a fast-moving animal.

Learn the Modes

Explore your camera’s photo and lighting modes. Experiment with creative effects to add flair to your shots. Consider carrying a small lens cleaning cloth. Learn how to use your phone’s camera focus and exposure capabilities to maximise photo quality. For sharper photos, tuck in your elbows or lean against your safari vehicle’s pop-top roof.

Avoid Harsh, Direct Sun

Do your best to avoid photographing in direct sunlight, as this will result in harsh shadows on whatever you are photographing. Early morning and late afternoon are ideal times for capturing the best light.

Shoot at Eye Level

Shooting at eye level will improve most photographs by an order of magnitude. It gives a better perspective on the animals and provides you with a more distant background, adding depth to your images.

Image Stabilisation

Keep your phone or camera steady while shooting. Safaris can be dusty, so keeping a lens cloth to clean your camera often will help prevent dust from ruining your images.

Be Quick but Patient

Wildlife can take its time, but when something happens, you need to be ready to capture it. Animals, especially wild animals, are highly unpredictable. Anything can happen at any time, so you must be quick enough to capture the moment before it passes. If you want to photograph an animal doing something specific, you may have to wait for that moment to occur. If you’re familiar with the animal’s behaviour, you might be able to predict what to expect and when.

Most importantly, when photographing wildlife at Nambiti Private Game Reserve, enjoy the experience. Capture the moments, but also take the time to immerse yourself in the beauty of one of the best Big 5 game reserves in KZN. Happy photographing!

Book your safari adventure today and experience the thrill of photographing Africa’s iconic wildlife up close. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional photographer, Nambiti offers endless opportunities to hone your skills and create unforgettable memories. Don’t forget to tag @nambitireserve on social media! We love seeing your amazing images and sharing your adventures with our community.

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