Kruger National Park

Last July we went to Kruger National park in South Africa for a 2 week stay.  Check out the images

Kruger is a conundrum for the wildlife photographer. It gets a bad rep for the amount of tourists and bitumen roads but as we found a lot of this is undeserved.

Admittedly it’s not the Masai Mara or the remoteness of Zambia or the exclusivity of a private reserve but it does have something very cool.

The thrill of self discovery.

Until this point we have always been on "proper" safaris, your guide drive you about in your landrover looking for lovely wildlife to take photos of. The guide finds the animals and is in charge of safety. This is all great fun but there is something to be said for self drive. Even in Kruger with its bitumen roads and other tourists, you get a real sense of freedom driving yourself around.

The Pros:

• The exhilaration of making your own discoveries.


• If you want to spend 2 hrs watching a lion sleep you can!

Getting Kruger specfic:

• It’s easy to get around, no 4wd skills needed.


• Its well sign posted, you won't get lost.


• The animals are use to cars so they don't run a mile when they see you.


• The various forms of accommodation in the camps are cheap for what you get and there’s a range for every budget.


• You can do ranger led walks, and game drives from the camps.


• There are some very good hides scattered about the place.


• The park is huge, with plenty of different habitats and has plenty of animals.

The Cons:

• It can be very busy but in July we still managed to find out of the way roads and got sightings of cats to ourselves.


• Most cat sightings are a nightmare of vehicles. Just move on, if you are there long enough you are highly likely to get your own cat eventually.


• No open vehicles for the general public, this makes shooting a challenge at times (unless you are use to shooting from a car).


• They could do with more places where you can get out of your car, preferably with toilets. This would cut down the amount of toilet paper you find in the quieter spots!


• The bush can be rather dense in some areas making clear shots difficult.

I would not recommend Kruger as your first African safari, if you can afford the more upmarket options. If you are on a budget or it’s your first taste of self drive its excellent value and highly recommended. 

We will be going again, in a different time year to see the changes. You could almost say I am addicted!!

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Wildebeest Migration Carnage

While in the Masai Mara recently to try and get some migration shots we noted the lack of decent crossings. There had just been some heavy rain and the Mara river was flowing fast. Hence not a lot of crossing action.

It would seem the situation hasn't got any better!

Check this out

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The Mara with Andy Rouse

Arrghh! Trying to adjust back to "Normal" life after our recent trip to Kenya.
That said coping with post trip depression can be a topic for another post!

The focal point of the trip was a Photographic Safari with Andy Rouse, 10 days in the Masai Mara.

Should you do a similar trip?
What's it about?


Andy Rouse is a well known British Wildlife Photographer who has made a name for himself on the world stage. If you are unfamiliar with his work then do yourself a favour and check out his website or check out his books on Amazon.
Andy like a few wildlife photographers also runs workshops & tours. The trips are a chance for us to get some tips and more importantly see how a professional works.

If you have read any of Andy's books or articles you soon get the feeling he is a down to earth kind of guy. There is none of the artistic pretence or sense of importance that surrounds some other well know wildlife photographers. The first thing that surprised me with Andy himself was that what you read is what you get. When we got off the plane at the airstrip in the Mara, Andy was there to greet us and help with the bags. That level of hands on participation was there for the whole trip.

The other thing that stands out is that he is very passionate about wildlife. Not just photographing it but wildlife in general. The welfare of the subject is of the utmost importance. If you are only interested in ticking off species shots no matter what the cost then a trip with Andy is not for you. If the animal in question is getting stressed or anxious the shoot will move on to give the animal its space.

Just because the trip has a casual atmosphere and a good sense of fun do not think that you don't get the goods. When you are on tour with Andy you get the full benefit of his vast experience. I never got the feeling that we weren't being told of a technique or composition because it was a trade secret or part of his "style". During the evening slide show we were given insights into the "How" on many of his iconic shots. When you are in the vehicle with him, he shoots with you. Andy really enjoys the teaching/interaction side of these tours and it shows.

Obviously to get the absolute most out of the experience you should have a good idea how to use that expensive DSLR and big lens. Still our trip had a mix of experience levels and Andy's assistance was tailored to the individuals. If you needed help with the basics you got it. Personally I got more out of the compositional side and what it takes to get the shot. You have to make it happen. Just being in the Mara isn't enough. Think about the shots you want with animals and ask the drivers to help get you in the position. The importance of knowing the habits of your subjects. This will get you in the position to "get lucky" and get that behavioural shot.

As they say the proof is in the results. 10 days, 10+ hrs a day in the field meant 8000 or so shots so I have some work to do. The results will show up here on the blog and of course on the website so pop by every so often and check them out.

If you love wildlife photography and you are serious about getting the best shots you can but want to have a fun time while you are doing it then you cannot go past a photographic safari with Andy Rouse.

If you have any questions about the trip or would like to know more than do not hesitate to post a question.

Since this reads as an advert for Andy's tours, I had better state that this trip was fully self funded and will gladly be paying for more trips in the future.

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Camera Bags in the Field

What can camera bag xyz really hold?

Have you ever asked this question?
I know I have and have spent many hours researching camera bag xyz on the net.

Well this is the first in a series of articles in which I take an in depth look at whats in my camera bag xyz.

First up my trusty Lowe Pro TopLoader 75 AW


In a previous article: Camera Bags, How big is too big
I looked at bigger picture of what bag for what activity. Today I am going to delve deeper into my well travelled TopLoader.

WHERE: In the field is this bags main purpose, be it the wilds of Africa or the streets of Rome. I would not use it for point to point travel it is designed for carrying your camera gear at your destination.

Before we delve into the contents I must mention I also have a couple of lens cases attached on the sides. The top loader has loops on each side to accommodate the LowePro lens cases with velcro loops. These add a great deal of versatility to the TopLoader.


The whole point of this type of camera bag is to have your camera ready for action, by that I mean with a lens attached. So when the shot presents itself you can have the camera out quickly.

So whats in the bag:

Canon 100-400 F4.5-f5.6 IS L & Hood
20D or 30D with grip
Filter pouch
2-3 spare BP-511 batteries
lens cloth
3-4 Compact Flash Cards

So this is what is physically in the TopLoader. The Filter pouch and batteries live in the external pocket on the front. While the lens cloth and flash cards are in the zippered pocket on the inside of the opening flap. Of course the hood is not attached to the lens but sitting in the bottom of the bag.

So whats in the Lens Cases:

550ex Flash
17-40 f4 L
50 f1.8

The flash lives in the right side case and the 2 lens the left.

If the 17-40 or 50 are on the camera the 100-400 goes into the lens case, while the not in use small lens goes in the main bag.

With the arrival of the 70-200 f2.8 IS L the other day I did take the kit out with the Flash on one side and the 70-200 on the other. With the Better Beamer folded flat behind the filter pouch. Needless to say with 2 big L zooms the bag was a tad heavy for the single shoulder strap and you wouldn't want to carry this around all day.

TIP: Always carry your Top Loader draped across your body, not hanging on one shoulder. Hanging on one shoulder will do you a serious injury and it is way more likely to fall off and is also an easy target for bag snatching thieves.

TIP: When in large crowded cities I often use a waist belt with this camera bag. This holds the bag closer to your body and makes it all the more harder for would be thieves to get it off you. They can slash the shoulder strap but the waist belt is still in place.

Another Security tip if you are using the lens cases on the side is to have the zipper pulls close to your body when the zip is closed. Again this makes them a bit harder to open without you knowing about it.

I am rather fond of my TopLoader and have dragged in through Rome, All across North Africa and on more than one safari. I give it the big thumbs up!

Do you have a TopLoader? then share your load with the readers. The more variations we have the more useful a resource this becomes.

Next I will look at the Lowe Pro SlingShot 200 AW: Adventures in Packing: LowePro Slingshot 200AW

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Last check of the camera bag

Lets finish packing the camera bag

We have the camera, we have the lenses, we even have all the required accessories to make a successful digital photo safari in Africa.
If you are missing any of these then you may want to read the following posts:

What do I take on a Photo Safari in Africa

What else will I need for my photographic safari

Have camera will travel but what else do I need?

So whats left??

Any guesses? What have we forgotten?

Now its time for the little things, the bits you may not use but you can be sure you will if you do not pack them.

Lets jump right in.

Lens cleaning cloth/tissue: We have brought the sensor cleaning gear but the front of the lens will need attention to. Of course if you prefer a lens pen is also an option. Also good for cleaning the body and viewfinder. I usually clean the body and used lenses each night. This check also includes a sensor check for dust.

Lens cleaning solution: Sometimes you manage to get stubborn grime on the glass, and the trusty old breathe on the glass doesn't do the trick. Of course pack this along with any sharp implements in your booked luggage.

Blower: These days my blower gets used more for charging up my Visible Dust brush but its still handy to have with you. If you were bad and didn't get a sensor cleaning solution you are going to need the blower to try and dislodge the dust.
TIP: Preaching to the choir maybe but always hold the camera with the lens opening facing down when playing with the blower in the chamber. No point dislodging the dust to have gravity plop it back down on the sensor.

Flash: If you have a decent flash for your camera take it. Fill flash is what sets apart amateur wildlife shots from the pros (other than composition, timing and light). Well executed fill flash will give you the catch lights in the eyes and diminish the shadows on your target critter. Obviously in the Africa situation you may not be in range with your flash so look at getting a Better Beamer. Basically a light weight fresnel lens for your flash, which extends its viable range considerably. I finally got around to getting one (they are hard to get in Australia) so I will be trying it out on the Kenya trip.

Filters: I will avoid the quasi religious war over UV filters and their use with digital cameras. I still have mine on all lenses but its more out of habit from the film days than anything else. From the protection angle, on safari the hood is always on the lens which protects the glass from most things.
What other filters do I take:

• Polariser: If you are out in the harsh daylight, you will need this. Try a Moose Peterson Warming Polariser to help remove the coldness that a polariser brings.
• 81b: Yes you can add this afterwards in Photoshop but I prefer to do it on camera. This filter gently warms the scene, thus extending that magic light in the morning a little longer.

Remote: Why bother I hear you ask. Well its only small and you may get a chance to do some landcape work braced on something at the end of the day.

Hot shoe Bubble Level: Same deal as the remote, its tiny and weighs next to nothing, so why not. Yes you can also fix croooked horizons in Photoshop or Lightroom but its yet more to fix. Get it right in camera and save yourself some time.

Small NoteBook: Your mileage will vary on this one but given myself and partner shoot its handy to keep track of who shot what. Every card downloaded goes into a unique folder, after a month in the field it gets hard to remember whose is whose. Its also handy to record what animals you saw each day and in what order. Makes file captioning easy if you do it back home. Hopefully on the upcoming Kenya trip the laptop will make this all alot easier. On the pluis side a small notepad and pencil is way lighter and smaller than a laptop.

Camera manual: You are bound to have a thin zippered area on you camera bag that is pretty useless for most camera gear. Thankfully Canon manuals are small and you can generally shove it in. Yes you should know how to use your camera before you go but the downtime between game drives gives you plenty of time to read up and try new things.

Camera Support: The need for this depends on the type of vehicle you are doing your game drives in. In Southern Africa where open landrovers are the norm you will have space to use a monopod. You could also get away with a clamp device as there is usually a decent steel tubing in front of you supporting the seat. In areas where you cannot use open landrovers you generally have either poptops or open windows for these a bean bag is essential.
TIP: Fill your beanbag when you get to your destination, rice or split peas or even beans do the job well. These are cheap and can be given away at the end of the trip.

So thats about it, by now you camera bag is full and weighs far more than is allowable for hand luggage. The secret here is to make the bag look light. Of course it has to fit in the overhead but if you are struggling with it, they are going to weigh it.

This leads to the next topic, which in hindsight might have been more appropriate before this. The camera bag itself.

Have an must have item that I have neglected then let me know.

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Does style of trip affect my photo opportunities?

You bet it does!!

The style of trip you choose for your shoot in Africa has a direct relation to your chances of getting the shots you want.

Is the lodge close to the action, if not then more shooting time is spent getting to and from the action. Does the park allow night drives, if not your guide will have to have you out of the park before dark, severely limiting your time with that sweet sunset light. Or you camp activities mean you will be busy while the action is happening.

All of these things will affect the quality of your final images. In todays post I will look into the most common style of trips and the various pros and cons of each with relation to wildlife photography.

So heres the types of trips I have been on and their affect on digital photography.

Overland: As I mentioned the other day this is one of the cheapest ways to get around (a plus) but it has a few downsides for photographers.

PRO

• Can cover vast distances cheaply.
• Other like minded people to share the fun.

CON

• Lack of security for your expensive camera gear.
• No control of your time on site. "A 30min game drive is all you will need"
  
• Camp chores will get in your way at some point.
• Charing your power hungry digital toys will be problematic.

Lodge Based: Hmm now we are talking, this is the way to get decent images in Africa but it comes at a price.

PRO

• Lodge is usually in or near the park with the wildlife, thus less time on the commute.
• Game drives are conducted by a guide who knows movements of the animals.
• You just take the gear you need for the shoot out on the drive.
• These places are usually more sympathetic to the needs of the photographer.
• Dependent on the particular camp but charging is usually available.

CON

• The big one is the cost. Even the more affordable lodges are not cheap. If they are there is likely to be a reason.
• Again this is dependent on the camp/lodge but you can be at the mercy of their guides. If they have a vehicle full of non photogs then your time maybe cut short.
• Most of the time there will be other people in the vehicle and they will get in your way at some point and kill your shot. Good thing we are digital now!!

Lodge Based Fly In: Pretty much as for Lodge based but with a couple of extra pluses.

PRO

• You get to the camp alot quicker, thus more time shooting with your DLSR in the glorious African light.
• You can can get to more camps in your holiday. More camps = more variety which can mean better shots.

CON

• Way more expensive but if time is short....
• Luggage issues, light planes can only physically fit a certain amount onboard. 3-5 people with 500mm lenses takes up some space.

Walking Safari: There is no better way to get a feel for Africa, you haven't "experienced" Africa until you have done a walking safari. So get out of the jeep and get down amongst it.

PRO

• You are in the thick of it, down on the ground, part of the food chain! It provides a better angle for your shots, no looking down on anyone.
• You are unlikely to get anyone in your way.
• While there are time constraints there is usually more flexibility in exactly where you wander.

CON

• You had better travel light because you are lugging your own gear (Even for high end walking safaris you have to carry your own camera gear.
• Charging! Whats that. Only the high end is going to provide the digital photographer with enough power.
• You get way closer to the animals in a vehicle. In most places the animals are habituated to safari vehicles so they pretty much ignore you. On foot they will most likely run away. Which means you have to be quick to get yet another bum shot.

I think my preference is pretty clear, if you can afford it do a lodge based safari, you are pretty much guaranteed of getting some worthy shots. Whether self drive is better (if it is available) is an issue I haven't tried yet. It would give more time and every photographer likes to be in control of their time shooting.

Sorry about the long article (well done if you have read this far!!) but there is alot to consider on this topic.

Next time we start looking at what photographic goodies you should take with you on your adventure to Africa.

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What style of Africa trip will suit my photographic goals

The How

The how means how will you experience Africa, how will you get the shots you desire.

The how can be influenced by a number of factors.

• Location
• Time
• Budget
• Comfort Level /Style of travel/ Security

Lets delve into these in more detail.

Location:   So how can your choice of trip location affect you.  Some countries restrict the types of travel available within them, ie Libya means no independent travel, tour groups only.  Thankfully none of these restrictions really apply in the prime wildlife areas.  That said some of the prime areas charge alot, which may blow your budget or mean less time onsite. All of which can drastically alter your chances of getting the shot. So check out your choice of country and its options fully before booking.

Time:   No doubt you are fully aware that for wildlife photography the more time you can spend with the critters the better your chances of getting the shot. Obviously when the critter is in your backyard this is not an issue but in Africa you could be spending $500-1000 a day. As a photographer you cannot go by the standard tourist brochures "Allow 2-3 days on safari to make the most of it". Yeah right for us this is the bare minimum. You have paid alot in airfares and greenhouses gases to get to Africa so make the most of it; maximise your time on the ground with camera in hand!

Budget :  This controls how long you can spend with the critters. Most Africa countries have a wide array of options available for the traveller. Some of which are not really suitable for serious photography. ie Overlanding is a great cheap way to get around  but you can be guaranteed that the best action will happen at the waterhole while you are on kitchen duty!! (I speak from experience on this!). Self Drive is great in alot of Southern Africa but finding the game is not always easy. Still this is a good mid range option if you have time.  Lodge based offers the best option for photographers on a time limit. You get a guide who knows where to find the animals. Don't be fooled into thinking the $1000 a lodge has the best wildlife. There maybe other cheaper options in the very near vicinity.

Comfort level:  No where near as important as the others but you have to think about it. The $1000 a day place will be offering good wildlife but its main draw card is the luxury and pampering. I cannot speak for you but I am there to spend time in the wild taking photos not to get a massage. The flip side of this is that the back packers is no place for your uber expensive zoom lenses!! I prefer a mid range lodge in a good area. Another facet to this point is security, how comfortable are you travelling in 3rd world countries. There is no pint going to Africa if you are going to be to worried by street crime to go outside the hotel.

As you can see these are all linked together, one affects the other. So have a think about these points and next time I will have a closer look at the styles of trips available and their pros and cons.

As always fell free to comment.

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Nature Photogrpahy Mecca: Africa

So you have decided to go to Africa

A very good choice but now the question becomes where in Africa to go. Lets face it the place is huge.

You cannot always even go by the preferred habitat of your favourite animal, ie Elephants pop up all over the place.
So now the fun starts; where in Africa to go

Unless you have a decent zoom you are going to be getting some of the surrounding ecosystem in the shot. In fact is a good idea to do some animal in its environment shots. Hence the location can be important. Southern Africa in the dry season (prime animal viewing time) is rather full of brown and yellow, so if you want something green you had better look hard.

Every country has is definitive backdrop, the amazing orange tones of the Namibian sand dunes, the huge open grasslands of the Serengeti in Tanzania, the lush green jungles of Rwanda.

Having spent most of our Africa time down south I will go through the highlights of the places we have been. At a later date i will do a more thorough review of the areas visited.

South Africa: Good animal densities in the major parks. Mainly bush setting, light scrub. Having spent some time in the private reserves around Kruger I can highly recommend the area for animal action. Mala Mala was particularly good for leopard but as always with leopards you mileage will vary.

Namibia: Other than in Etosha the animal densities are low but you will be rewarded with some interesting backdrops. If you can get it a Gemsbok on the orange sand looks great. Namibia is mainly desert, varying from sandy to stony. Etosha has wide open areas, lots of herbivores (read lots of zebra and giraffe). Elephants and lions are more scattered

Zimbabwe: Again lots of bush land, but it varies dependent on exact location. The Mana Pools area is good and can provide some ver close encounters with Elephants. Sadly the more remote park have been badly hit by subsistence poaching and commercial poaching so the few animals that remain are a tad spooked. Still don't just write the place off, it still has plenty to offer.

Botswana: Varies dramatically form the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta to the sandy grass plains of Chobe. Sadly we haven't got the private concessions yet but the are suppose to be quite special. Linyanti has a good reputation for Hunting Dogs. Chobe National park has good diversity of animals and huge herds of Elephants. These elephants like to take a drink from the Chobe river at sunset making for some spectacular images. Chobe also produces some amazing sunsets.

Shorty we are off to the Masai Mara in Kenya so I will add much detail to the site about that location hopefully while we are there but if not when we get back. In fact this trip and its preparation is forming the basis of a few upcoming articles so stay tuned.

Another time we will look at other parts of Africa from a non wildlife perspective, ie the cultural highlights of North Africa and Roman Africa.

As always share your thoughts and experiences with us. Aside from photography we are also dedicated travellers, so tell us about your adventures. As any keen traveller knows the only people who truly appreciate your tales are other travellers, the people back home just don't get it.

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Where in the world do I go to take photos of wildlife?

Wildlife photography covers all the wonderful array of life on our planet, but of course we all have our favourites. Those critters who we live to shoot.
My preference is for the larger fauna, most likely because our Australian wildlife while unique and fascinating is rather small. What I wouldn't give for a species of elephant local to Australia!!
If you like your critters large then 3 continents instantly spring to mind:

• Africa
  

  Yes other places have big animals but these have plenty of them. Lets face it the place is huge, its wildlife prolific and the eco systems diverse. All that adds up to much varied and interesting photography.
  Once you have been there its like a virus is inserted into your system and it itches constantly until you are back in Africa. Its an expensive addiction!
  In fact its where we go regularly to be get away from the artificial world and immerse ourselves in bush and spend valuable time with our camera gear.

  
  
• India
  

  Its next on the must do list. Of course you think India, you think Tigers. Certainly a very photogenic subject if there ever was one. Still India is not a one trick pony, its national parks hold a staggering diversity of wildlife, even more diverse than Africa. From the elephants, rhinos, elusive leopards, rare lions, Black buck, Musk deer and the list goes on. Lets face it anywhere with elephants and big cats has to be on the list.

  
  

• North America.
  

  
  

  An interesting choice and some may argue it but there is no denying they have some iconic animals who photograph well. First to mind is the bears, big bears!! A good shot of grizzly catching salmon would be a nice addition to anyones library. Clichéd and unlikely to sell, as its done to death but its not all about sales. Next would be the Bison, Ok not as pretty as a big cat but still an interesting subject. Good luck with getting a shot of the cats in the wild but they are there from mountain lions to bobcats and lynxes. How about the other hoofed species, Moose, Elk, and the very cool MuskOx up in Alaska.

  
  

Given I have an unhealthy fascination with Africa it is there we will delve into next. The question of where to take the camera in search of wildlife.

If you have been to any of the 3 continents to indulge in some wildlife photography then let us know. Or maybe you have somewhere in mind that is more worthy of the top 3.

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