Wildlife Photography Tips with Creative Lab and Francois Fourie

Francois Fourie, Content Manager for MORE Family Collection shares his photographic tips for your African safari, taking us on a journey of getting the perfect shot…

“I spent three days filming at Marataba and over these days we were extremely lucky to come across the Southern coalition every day, but it was on our last afternoon there that they stole the show. It had been overcast with rain the first two days but on this drive a slither of blue sky to the west gave us some hope, and despite a slight drizzle we set out on a mission. We managed to find them about 50 meters from where we left them that same morning.

Now this is where patience is key – we waited for about an hour and the sun was slowly starting to dip below the horizon and as this happened, we saw the first yawn, which is a great sign for a lion starting to get up. In the next 15 minutes we sat and watched as the sky at Marataba turned into a display of pure golden bliss and simultaneously these two male lions with their dark manes arose.

We quickly repositioned the vehicle to get a different angle and perspective and watched as these males in their prime walked straight toward us.

Now I always say, that when you are about to leave “wait 10 more minutes” and that was the best thing we could have done because along with this incredible scene they started to roar announcing their presence as the then dominant males of the area. We all sat in awe watching and experiencing this amazing scene unfold before our eyes. They went to settle down again giving us one last roar before we decided to leave them in peace. Marataba - where the mountain meets the plains – once again delivered an out-of-this-world experience.”

Our 5 Safari Wildlife Photography Tips for beginners…

Know your camera – It is super important to know how your camera works before you arrive as this will ensure you do not miss that shot because you are fiddling around with your settings.

Settings – Automatic mode is not as bad as you think – use it to bank your shot if you are not confident with your abilities and after then start playing around with various modes and settings.

Equipment essentials – Everyone always wants to know what to travel with. Ultimately the best camera is the one you have, learn it, master it and then move on to bigger and better equipment as you progress. If you only have one camera body, I suggest looking at any of the mirrorless systems.

The ultimate lens is the 70-200mm F2.8, In South Africa you can usually get fairly close to animals so this should give you enough options. If you are worried about focal length, then get a 1.4x converter that effectively makes your lens a 280mm but at F4. PS. You can also hire equipment at our Creative Lab – see details below.

Anticipate behaviour – Often we might shoot thousands of photos and then must wade through all of them to only find 20 that are acceptable – so pick the moment you want to take the photo and ask your field guides for assistance they are well versed to interpret animal behaviour to help you get the best shot. Do some research and look at wildlife photos before your trip to get an idea of what you are looking for but manage your expectations because nature doesn’t always play her part.

Savour the moment - Don’t get caught behind your lens – photos are great, and you will have a lot but don’t forget to experience the moment as well.

Creative Lab – Memories to take home…

Our Creative Labs at Lion Sands River Lodge and Narina Lodge, as well as Marataba Safari Lodge are for professional and novice photographers alike. Using digital software, and with the assistance of our Creative Lab Consultants, you can transform your images into canvas artworks to create the ultimate keepsake.

Camera equipment is available for hire (prearranged) and our field guides know many more photographic tips which they will share with you.

Best images from our field guides are also on offer with a portion of the proceeds supporting our conservation efforts that are delivered through More Community Foundation.