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Can’t get enough of the wild beauty that catches your eyes during safari holidays? Your camera can do the job well!

Going on the safari is one of the most unique experiences in itself and the sight of lions, elephants, tigers and other species in their habitat is truly unforgettable for you. For many of the travellers, clicking nice photographs is equally as important as enjoying the experience as it allows one to bring home powerful memories of their all-inclusive Safari Holidays. They can share the magic of the wild with others as well.

Due to light, distance and the unpredictable movement of animals, clicking pictures during holidays to safari may not be as easy as it sounds. Below, we are going to share some useful tips that can help you capture some great clicks during your safari luxury holidays, even if you are not a professional photographer.

What is Safari Photography All About?

Before beginning to click the pictures, it is important to understand what makes safari pictures so special. You may be shooting in wide open spaces with bright sunlight and moving objects and unlike zoo, you will not get a chance to come up close to the animals to click their best pictures. Therefore, patience and timing are both a crucial part of safari photography.

The goal is to capture the story of the wild and the emotion of the moment. No matter if you are using a smartphone or a professional camera, the key is to focus on the composition, lighting and consideration for the environment.

Choosing the Right Equipment

The equipment or photography tool plays a great role in making a great difference. You need not buy the most expensive gear to click great pictures, and a camera with a great lens can help you capture animals from a safe distance.

You just need to bring a 200mm to 400mm lens for the best safari shots. Even if you are using a smartphone, you can try attaching a clip-on zoom lens for assistance. Don’t forget carrying some extra batteries and memory cards as you may end up clicking hundreds of pictures each day.

You can also bring your tripod or bean bag to keep the camera steady when using long lenses and must protect the camera from dust by keeping it safe inside the bag when not in use as well as cleaning the lens on a frequent basis.

Learn to Use Your Camera Before the Safari

This is one of the biggest mistakes most of the travellers do: not learning how to use camera before the safari holiday begins. One should practice clicking pictures before the trip begins and learn about certain photography associated things like exposure, focus and shutter speed. Also, they need to learn how to switch modes instantly with the animal movement, as you may get only a few seconds to click the best shots. Practicing at a local park can also help one gain confidence to help them focus on the experience rather than struggling with buttons or menus during the safari trip.

Lighting- The Secret to Beautiful Safari Photos

Adjusting light the right way can make or break the photos and their aesthetics. The best time to click pictures is during the soft daylight or late afternoon (the golden hours).

During these times, the light is soft and warm and gives a beautiful glow on the animals and the landscape. The mid of the day can be harsh and may cause strong shadows and you may need to work hard on light or use light creatively.

Try clicking pictures of animals in the shade or focusing on the silhouettes against the bright sky. If you are clicking during sunrise or sunset, use soft colours of the sky to create more depth to your clicks and remember always that NATURAL LIGHT IS YOUR BEST FRIEND on safari holidays.

Patience and Observation Are Key

Safari clicks are not just about rushing from one animal to another, it is always about watching, observing and being patient. Some of the best clicks come from observing the animal behaviour and when you stay still and quiet, animals may also feel comfortable around you. Thus you are more likely to capture natural and interesting moments during such times. Be ready for the shot while also enjoying fully at the same time and remember to practice patience always.

Use Your Camera Settings Wisely

When shooting during your safari trip, conditions may change rapidly so you must learn how to use your camera settings wisely such as:

• A fast shutter speed is helpful when capturing moving animals.
• If the light is low, increase the ISO slightly to avoid grainy photos.
• Use continuous shooting mode for taking several shots in quick succession.
• If you are not sure of the manual settings, use the sports or wildlife mode.

Editing Your Safari Photos

Once the trip is all over, it’s time to carry out some minor editing and tweaks to your pictures to make them look even better. You can use some simple editing software or apps to increase contrast, brightness and colour balance. Don’t over-edit the pictures and make them look completely natural. Crop to improve composition or remove distractions from the background and always remember that editing is not about making the pictures look unreal but it is just about bringing out the beauty you experienced.

Enjoy the Experience Beyond the Lens

Clicking the best picture is equally important as enjoying the entire experience and sometimes the best clicks may not be captured through the lens but may be the ones you have experienced in person. Take moments to listen to the sounds of nature and appreciate the beauty around you.

Looking for unforgettable safari holidays? Book your safari holiday packages with Virikson Holidays that serves as the UK’s #1 holiday service provider.