Photography in Africa

For a photographer who shoots wildlife, Africa is an exceptional location. Game parks, blue skies wilderness, desert brimming with wildlife. Who hasn’t heard of sunsets in the African sunset?

What equipment should you take?

Before we look at the equipment we will use on safari, we must take note of the caution issued to the photographer, who is independent and is in charge of his travel arrangements and activities.

In certain countries, the self-employed photographer is able to rent cars or campervans and travel to game parks or wilderness areas, staying overnight in designated camping areas. However, in many other countries, this is not practical and dangerous because of the inadequate infrastructure, mostly dirt tracks that have huge potholes as well as deep sand. Malaria and other water-borne illnesses are also prevalent in these locations.

You’ll have to conduct extensive and thorough research on the places you plan to visit. Find out about the people, customs as well as potential hazards, where you shouldn’t go, and what documents and vaccinations are necessary. Africa is not the place for shortcuts unless you’re absolutely sure that you know what you’re doing. Insanity isn’t an excuse.

There are risks posed by wildlife when a photographer behaves in a reckless manner. For an example, look at the incident that occurred in 2010 at some of the campsites located in the northern part of Kgalagadi located between Botswana in Botswana and South Africa.

This camp is situated in an area that is semi-desert. It’s secured; however, as is the norm in Africa, maintenance was not carried out. A few of the wooden poles that hold the wire mesh required urgent repairs.

In the evening, lions’ roars at the camp woke the people. Many ran to the fence to observe what was going on. There were around a dozen lions along the fence, looking in. A few campers quickly returned to their tents to retrieve their cameras.

The only ranger on the site was frantically running around telling people to stay further away from the border and to stop snapping pictures using flash.

Later, he said, “there was a great chance that the light from the flash could have caused the lions in the area to attack. If the large male lion did attack, this fence would think the fence would have been bent to allow the lions to leap in the camp.”

What a tragedy that could be. The fence was not sturdy, but it was adequate to be considered a good thing if the people behaved responsibly.

Unforeseen incidents can occur everywhere we are; however, the people’s ignorance, inattention, and even a lack of awareness, are the cause of the majority of problems that occur in wilderness areas.

Before leaving, read all possible about the place you’re traveling to. If possible, listen to the advice of authorities in your area to inform you about the country you plan to visit.

If you are traveling through urban areas, keep your camera equipment out of the view of others at all times.

An all-inclusive approach to preparation and a shrewd head can help make the self-sufficient photographer enjoy one of the most memorable photos of his life and return home with amazing photos and unforgettable memories.

Basic Information on the Photo Equipment.

The benefits of traveling light are numerous; however, for photographers, it could have its drawbacks. For instance, the following list doesn’t consider the breakdown of the camera. If there’s no duplication, there’s the possibility of not having an operational camera.

Another option is to carry a small backup camera.

Another item to be considered is an empty bag. Beans can be purchased at the time of the arrival. The majority of your photography will be done within the vehicle. A beanbag that rests on the glass of the vehicle will allow you to use a Telephoto lens under any lighting conditions.

The list does not mention any device that can transfer images to memory cards for secure storage. Memory cards can easily be lost or damaged while traveling.

The camera has two lenses. Short and long focus.
Grey graduated filters – are used to limit the light of the sky at sunset.
Polariser filter.
Empty beanbag.
Light tripod.
Cleaning and cleaning lenses for cameras.
Fast memory cards. Take more than you’ll ever require.
Bag for photos to carry kit.

The information above is basic and light. Much depends on the kind of photography you plan to pursue – which is the primary thing to take into consideration when choosing the equipment you’ll require. You can only make the right decision.

What can you do to protect your camera? How can you change the lens so that you avoid dust from entering the sensor of your camera?

I often change lenses inside the vehicle. When dust is present, I put the lens into the transparent plastic bag. When I’m not using the camera, I put the camera inside the plastic bag. Every night I wash the lens and camera to ensure they are in a good state.