Wildlife Photography – Top Tips

I have been lucky enough to take 5 or so safari holidays now, always in Kenya. I have also taken many trips though the rainforest.

So what is the secret of good photography?

20 years back on my first trip to Kenya I used a pentax and had a normal lense. That was the days of film – no one had heard of digital. I ended up with a series of dots and blobs in the background and no decent shots. I then bought a 60 to 120 mm zoom lense for the second safari and ended up with medium sized dots and the odd good picture. The third time I invested in the 300 mm lense but found whenever I took a quick picture, I had camera shake.

I then went digital with a Nikon D40 and a 60 to 120 zoom lense, but I splashed out and bought a 300 m fixed lense. This trip I have ended up with some super shots.

I am no great expert at photography, I usually set the camera to automatic but my key tips are as follows:

1. Dont ever shoot quickly. Take your time. I have a perfect shot of a lion mating but unfortunately the camera focussed on the branch in front!!

2. Look carefully through the viewfinder and make sure odd twigs and bits do not interfere. This shot of the lion is great except for the twig!

3. Make sure the image is big in the lense

4. Always ask locals if you can take their picture. Some inevitably ask for money, but if you are buying from traders they will be happy to pose for you.

5. It is good to have a great guide because they find the animals and get you close. On a Porini safari you get a driver and a spotter so that is two pairs of eyes that see animals and birds long before you do.

6. It is worth getting a 300 mm lense, even if you hire one. The modern lenses are much easier to hold steady.

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