If you are looking for a camcorder that’s compact and easily portable, but loaded for bear with memory capacity, HS video quality up to spec for the high-end studios, a ton of features only found in professional models, and priced at a consumer camcorder value, you cannot do better than the Canon XA10 HD Professional Camcorder.

With a 6-blade shutter, expandable memory slots, options for infrared shooting and subject tracking, as well as technology developed by Canon Labs specifically for the film industry, the XA10 Professional Camcorder is perfect for professional videographers and home users alike. The ease of use and high-compatability means you can use your camera in controlled environments and out in the wild, and then playback or edit your captured video on practically any device – from your home theater system to your computer (regardless of operating system).

Let’s take a look at a few (out of nearly countless) of the features:

The AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) codec has become the industry standard for digital recording since it was first announced in 2006. As such, the Canon XA10 Professional Camcorder uses the AVCHD Codec to provide the highest quality video without using much memory. This translates to longer recording capabilities with lossless playback.

The Canon XA10 Camcorder has a built-in 64GB Flash Memory, enabling users to record up to 24 hours of video. The two expansion slots for additional Flash Memory cards gives you the ability to increase the amount you can record by 3 times that!

The built-in Canon 1920 x 1080 CMOS Image Sensor is another thing that sets the XA10 HD Professional Camcorder above all the rest. Using the LED touch screen, you can point to your subject matter and the XA10 will keep your target in focus – even if you are trying to follow your subject in a crowded area. The Canon Image Sensor also allows for enhanced lighting options, making sure that colors remain vivid and the clarity of your video is crystal clear. The lossless playback ensures that what you capture on video with the XA10 is exactly how your eyes saw it the first time, in all its brilliance.

The Canon XA10 also features Canon SmartAuto. This is usually found in high-end professional cameras because once you use it to stay focused on a shot, so long as your subject matter stays in frame, the SmartAuto feature will keep your subject in view with the clearest video capture you’ve ever experienced, without any noise in the video as the lens transitions to dial-in at various distances and angles.

Infrared Recording has become an invaluable device for security agencies, law enforcement, nature documentarians, and those whose video project require dark or night time environments. With the Canon XA10 HD Professional Camcorder, you can get those “shots in the dark” without disturbing your subject matter. The infrared sensor and emitter allow you to capture your video undetected with high definition and clarity.

The XA10 sports a 3.5-inch LED touch screen. This shows you 100% of what you are recording with the XA10 HD Professional Camcorder itself. If that weren’t enough to set it apart from other camcorders in the same price range, the touch screen allows you to navigate the option menus, as well as taking advantage of the Canon “Touch and Record” technology. Simply touch the display screen and the Canon XA10 will focus on that particular point in the viewing field. If you want to take it one step beyond, touch your subject matter on the screen and the XA10 HD Professional will track your subject as it moves within the frame.

The Canon XA10 HD Professional Camcorder functions like a big studio camcorder, but is also compact for ease of use and storage. The removable handle not only makes storing and transporting the XA10 much easier, but it also allows for expansions such as external microphones, remote controls, and tripod mounting. The Canon XA10 can also make use to additional lenses for underwater recording, wide angle shots, and extra long distance and tight focusing.

When it comes time to transfer your video or to play it back, you will find that the Canon XA10 Professional Camcorder can be used with HDMI, component, and RCA equipment. The versatility of the AVCHD codec means that your captured video will play back on almost any device, as well as being compatible with practically any video editing software on the market today.

Whether you are making professional films, documentaries, shooting a formal event, capturing video of friends and loved ones during holiday gatherings, or posting a quick clip to your blog – the Canon XA10 HD Professional Camcorder is perfect for all of your needs and ideas.

For a quick breakdown of pros and cons from reviews taken from both professionals and personal users, just take a look at the following:

Pros:

1. Works like professional industry camcorders.

2. Subject tracking and green/red on-screen monitors ensure you get the highest quality video without noise.

3. Most features and highest quality for the price.

4. Amazing built-in features and expandability make the XA10 more diverse than any camera in its range.

Cons:

1. On-screen menus can sometimes seem too extensive.

2. Cinema mode may seem too amateurish compared to high-end production software.

3. Removable handle may cause rattling if not secured properly to the XA10 Professional Camcorder.

The underwater world is breathtaking to say the least. The turquoise blue and stupendous corals do indeed take your breath away. Diving underwater to take a look at sea life can be a defining moment in many lives. It allows for soothing your tensions and anxieties helping you experience complete surrenderfulness. Each year underwater photography grows every year. People that like to dive also like to share the underwater environment with those that do not and cannot dive. For many of us, the ocean has always been seen as an unknown place.

The beauty of underwater diving compares to none other. Often times we only have a few precious opportunities in our lives to dive underwater to look at a totally different world, especially if you don’t live near a sea/ocean that provides underwater diving and exploration. When you are offered a once in a lifetime opportunity then, wouldn’t you want to keep memories of this experience with you forever? That is why you need to consider taking underwater photographs. We help you understand what is important when considering taking underwater photographs and how to take them.

Gone are the times of handling complex unwieldy underwater cameras that had an incomprehensible manual that came along with it to undertake underwater photography. When you are in deep sea you don’t want to be over whelmed by what your specifically designed underwater camera can do especially if you have very little time to stay under with heavy equipment.

The most efficient and feasible way to take underwater photographs is by using camera housing equipment. Given that almost everyone today has a digital camera getting a housing equipment for underwater photography is worth the investment and practical as well. That way, you can always use your camera for regular picture taking and then fit it for underwater picture taking when you snorkeling or scuba diving.

When you buy your digital point and shoot cameras, or compact digital cameras with full exposure controls and single lens reflex cameras make sure that they have waterproof housing equipment available. This is because some digital cameras don’t come with waterproof casings that you can buy later. Most housing equipment come with depth rating good for scuba diving which means that you can use them when you go rafting, kayaking, during heavy rains and snorkeling.

You can take underwater photographs with the camera you own after making sure they have features and extensions available for underwater photography. The waterproof cases are specifically designed for different cameras and are made of aluminum or special plastic making it feasible for you to take underwater.

Other aspects that you should consider while beginning to learn shooting underwater is have both macro lenses and wide angle lenses to deal with the issue of capturing wide aspects of the water life as well as details.Due in part to the lighting conditions, you have to develop the skill of how to adapt to underwater photography but once you have learned about lighting, you’ll be ready to take great photos underwater.

If you follow these tips you will be well on your way to becoming a great underwater

photographer.

When it comes to cameras such like compact digital cameras or digital SLR cameras, Nikon is one of the most popular brands people seek to buy. Nikon is a trusted name when it comes to high quality cameras. Because you invest money in buying expensive cameras, it is a must that you protect it from scratches, damages or shock and the best item for this purpose is a Nikon camera bag.

There are different kinds of the bags to carry your cameras with such as waist pack camera bag, holster pack, sling pack, satchels, backpacks or compact camera bags. The design of the bags varies depending on the needs of the camera owner or the “extras” carried along with the camera.

Below are some of the products and their uses:

Waist Pack – this camera carrier typically comes with the purchase of SLR or DSLR cameras to conveniently carry the camera around. This type of camera bag looks similar to a gun holster only with bigger pocket and typically comes with padded belts for comfortable use. This type of bag will help you avoid back problems.

Sling – this is the latest popular camera bag among photography enthusiasts because it is convenient to use. One popular make of this type offers an automatic back and forth switching to either shoulder while keeping the gears inside intact and upright.

Satchel – this bag is similar in looks to that of laptop computer bag but has a more flexible compartment. The bag is discreet yet sturdy and often comes with large front pouches to place other essentials inside but can be easily accessed. A lot of camera owners love the functionality of the satchel bag.

Cargo – another innovative Nikon bag is the cargo bag that is roomy enough to hold DSLR cameras together with accessories so that you won’t need a separate purse. The bag boasts of removable dividers so you can customize them accordingly. Layers of protective neoprene ensure that your equipment is safe and protected.

Camera Backpack – this is for photographers-on-the-go that is designed for DSLR cameras. It has compartments for up to five interchangeable lenses and other necessary accessories so you can keep them organized inside. It is weather resistant with impact-resistant base for added protection. A Nikon camera bag offers the convenience of backpack straps for comfortable hands-free carrying plus a secure top handle as an added feature.

As a photography enthusiast, there could be various subjects that you like to capture. Whether it is nature that you love to take pictures of or you might be into fashion photography or you may be a photojournalist for that matter, one thing is certain: You have to take care of the most prized equipment that you carry with you to capture the beauty of the still images of your subject. Choosing the perfect bag for your camera may depend on the number of gears and accessories you carry with you but you can be sure that there is always the right Nikon camera bag for your needs.

You have to plan your lighting, the angle to use and the subjects facial expression. If you desire to get into taking portraits you will need to learn basic knowledge and techniques that the pro photographer uses.

Tip#1- Study the persons face when you want to do portrait photographs. Learning the persons face is the deciding factor as it relates to the angle to use. There is such a thing as a person having a best side. The person may have scar or pimple on one side of their face and therefore may not want to capture that side of the face.

Portrait photography is about capturing the details of the subjects face. This is what adds impact to the persons photo. If you’re desire is to specialize in portrait photography than you will want to take time to meet the person before the shoot takes place just to study the persons face and determine the best way to capture them. You can also do this by taking a few practice shots of them at different angles and view the digital photographs to determine you best approach.

Tip#2- Be sure to have your lighting set up properly. Many photographers prefer natural light as opposed to artificial. The subject is usually the person that determines the sort of light based on if they will be inside or out. Setting the aperture to take up the slack of the cameras lack of definition will be needed when you’re using natural light. You will use your camera settings to create your perfect portrait.

Tip#3-Background. When taking shots in a studio, you’ll want to select a background that does not wash out the subjects clothing color’s and facial features. You want to have a clear distinction between your subjects face and background. Your background is supposed to give life to the subjects features, not take away from their from them. Be sure not to select a background that is very busy and abstract You want the subject to be the focal point of the portrait not just one of many images to look at.

The following tips are the basics of taking great portrait photographs. These 3 tips are not end all be all and should not be taken as such. I suggest you visit a website like Amazon.com and purchase a few books on the art of portrait photography. Grab yourself 3-5 books on the subject and you’ll start to see your skill increase as you take more photographs.

Each year underwater photography grows every year. People that like to dive also like to share the underwater environment with those that do not and cannot dive. For many of us, the ocean has always been seen as an unknown place.

When we are on vacation and we visit any of the several oceans, we always attempt to get as many shots as possible. We love to share our ocean photos with friends and family and professional photographers have been selling their ocean photography for as long as photographers have been diving.

For underwater diving, there are a multitude of cameras. You have the ultra expensive pro grade cameras and you have good entry level DSLR cameras that cost less than $600. Knowing which camera will work best for you will be determined by your skill level and how much you are willing to invest in your camera as well as housing for the camera.

Camera housing helps you protect your camera from the water. Purchasing housing will help prevent the water from harming your camera. You can find housing for your already purchased camera but you can also look for a package deal if you desire to buy a new camera just for diving.

If you have a traditional point and shoot 35mm camera it may have some sort of filter to make up for it’s color deterioration while underwater. Point and shot cameras are not good for blocking out the particles that float underwater and that makes the visibility for these cameras poor.

If you have to take a shot with these kind of cameras, be sure to be no further than 100 feet below surface and I’d suggest nothing less than 80 feet below the surface. If you go further than 80-100 feet, the housing, as a result of the water pressure, will fail, causing you to lose pictures. This is not a common occurrence but it is something that photographers have concerns about.

The ultra high end cameras have the larger lens which in turn allow for more light when you’re underwater. These cameras also have better filters and that helps with ensuring that your photos are clear. If you decide to purchase a camera such as this, I would advise that underwater photography be your medium of choice as it relates to your long term photography endeavors. I would also suggest you attempt to sell any of the images that you capture underwater. I am suggesting this because underwater photography has a very high expense.

Using a digital camera is the best camera to use for underwater shots because you can view the shot instantly and if it’s a shot the that you like, you can take another shot if the underwater life has not left the scene.

Be sure to not store your batteries with your flash and camera because the batteries will die, assuming your camera uses Double A or Triple A batteries. Taking photographs underwater is a great way to take your vacation home with you and share it with everyone.

Due in part to the lighting conditions, you have to develop the skill of how to adapt to underwater photography but once you have learned about lighting, you’ll be ready to take great photos underwater.

If you follow these tips you will be well on your way to becoming a great underwater
photographer.

First of all I’d like to discuss some things you will need if you’re looking to make a career out of photography, or simply add some spice to your personal hobby. If you want to take stunning photos at night, none of these night photography tips should be ignored. Primarily, youhow steady you think your hand is, if it’s top-quality you’re after, you need to have a tripod if you don’t own one already. It doesn’t matter definitely want to get one of these.

Secondly, look for a camera which has a fast shutter speed setting, as well as an exposure compensation setting. The shutter will greatly improve the quality of your photos, a low ISO setting is also recommended for better quality. The exposure compensation is sometimes automatically controlled by the shutter, which will typically lighten and darken your photos and allow you to capture mind-blowing photos. You can also switch the aperture mode to the “on” position, which will control the shutter speed for you. Manually you’ll be looking for a 1-3 second shutter speed, no more.

Thirdly, it’s recommended that you get a camera that has a remote control, or start using it if you’re the same as me when I just started out, thinking that it’s a useless gadget, which is not the case at all. Pressing the “shoot” button manually will add a slight blur to the image, so use your remote control at all times for best results. Next, you want to go into your camera’s “white balance” setting. Most digital cameras have this set to auto detect, which will actually reduce the brightness of your picture.

Set your white balance to daylight settings to maintain the vivid colors instead of blocking it out with auto or night settings. These are very basic night photography tips, but they can make a world of difference to your images. The last of the night photography tips I’d like to share with you here today is what time is best for taking these photos. Choosing the perfect time for your shoot is also vital to the outcome.

Try and avoid shooting in total darkness, the best time is just after dusk and before dawn when there’s a hint of light visible in the sky above. This will brighten colors even more, creating amazing images with ease. This will give you a 20-30 minute time frame to capture the perfect image, so make sure everything’s set up and ready to go. Play around with these night photography tips and be amazed at the difference they make.

Wedding Pictures

You definitely hire professionals for a big event such as a wedding. Your photographer can take pre-wedding pictures, too! Negotiate a package that includes this service. Excellent venues are parks andthe beach. National parks are fantastic especially if they have ponds with boats and, if possible, a waterfall! Look out for man-made structures such as a gazebo. If you get lucky there may be great specialty items such as bed boats with a canopy.

Pre-wedding photos are great because you can include these in a wedding book. The wedding book will have these pictures and of the wedding itself. Make sure there are pictures with parents, bridesmaids, the entourage and friends. On the day of the wedding be sure to plan for a picture-taking time before, during and after the wedding.

An example of taking pictures before the wedding is if the venue is by a beach. The bridesmaids and entourage and the couple can wear their formal attires and head to the beach. Wedding venues such as hotels and resorts usually have areas that make great backgrounds. Try to take a picture of the couple and print it wallet sized. Then include this as part of the wedding favors, which can be a picture holder.

Family Picture

Portrait photography is usually done by an expert. You can do this more than once. The first, when the kids are still small and then when they are all grown up. It’s up to you to decide on the attire but formal is a safe route. Decide on the venue – outdoors or indoors, but keep it simple. Remember that this may be passed down through generations so get it both in color and black and white.

Nude photography is becoming popular but have a professional handle this. It looks great colored and neutral. Do it with your partner and in singles. Bring a transparent shawl that reflects your favorite color. Red is popular. Make sure that when you hire a photographer that you also have your hair styled at the salon. Avoid too much makeup. Try to hit the gym and go on a diet a week before taking the shots.

Pregnancy shots are special so hire an expert. Take the picture when you are 6 months pregnant or when the stomach is obviously large enough to indicate pregnancy. Pictures can be done nude or semi-nude. Take pictures with and without your partner, and have black and white and colored versions.

DIY

Invest in a good camera such as a Nikon, Canon or other well-known brands. Choose an SLR but also have a small point-and-shoot. The small digital camera should be in your bag at all times for those unexpected occasions. They are especially useful when hiking in national parks. Make sure you have good lighting in your house and 1 or 2 reflectors. Also buy a camera stand.

The SLR is great for taking pictures of your baby each month. Make sure you have a baby toy that is in each month’s picture. It’s great watching how babies and children develop. Plus the pictures are cute! There will be days when the baby will cooperate and days when he/she won’t. You can use themes such as costumes or even pots in the picture.

One of the most challenging aspects of photographing a baby is to control the subject. On the one hand you want them relatively still, but too much control and the photo loses its impetuousness. Lighting and background are both important, you want the background as uncluttered and simple as possible if the photograph is indoors, or as natural as possible outside, a piece of grass is ideal. The lighting should be coming from at least two directional sources, but if it is too strong it will throw shadows that complicate the picture, and often lose the wonderful facial expressions it is possible to capture. However don’t miss those impromptu shots either especially with a digital camera, you can always edit the background later.

It is usually helpful to restrict babies’ activities; they are not portrayed at their best nappy high in the air crawling across the floor. A good way to restrict them is a highchair, or holding them in the arms of another person. Baby photography is often better taken very close up, and it is a wise move to look at the manual for your camera, and see how close you can get. It is better to get everything set up first, and then place the baby in position when the lighting and setting have been chosen. However that of course is not always possible.

Distractions in the form of noise, and toys can be a tool, but never forget that a baby’s emotion’s are always lightning fast, and it all makes for great photographs, whether it is tears of frustration, pouring a drink over your best camera, or laughing.

They are often easier to photograph when there is a minimum of people around because they are so easily distracted. The old school of thought was keep the mother well out of the way, however I personally can’t see any mileage in that, as babies are calmer with someone they know, and in most cases that is the mother. Above all remember that photographing babies is fun, the unexpected if caught at just the right moment, makes great memories. Although I doubt if a father who has just picked up their offspring for a photograph will forget the time that their child was sick all over them. Control can only go so far with babies.

Babies are babies for short a period of time, you can never have too many photographs, and here a digital camera can save enormous amounts on both film and development. It also allows for wastage as you can view the results immediately and can the ones you don’t want. You will have huge embarrassment value in later life showing your daughter’s first boyfriend her as a baby with no nappy! Another enormous advantage to digital photography is that you don’t have to shoot the photograph with a little black box in front of your face. This will catch a baby’s emotions perfectly, but is not the best way to capture their best expressions. A small child will respond better when they respond to your expressions. By being able to hold the camera away from your face you have a chance to capture the best of their expressions as well; an LCD screen generally reaps huge benefits.

Another misunderstood statement is that the best photographs are taken by professionals, whilst there is no denying that professional take great formal photographs, and every baby should have at least one set to keep as an adult. It is hard to beat the formal professional photo. Some professionals offer annual sittings for family shots and supply regular updated montages specific to that family. A service that is hard to beat. However this formal stylised pose isn’t always the answer, somehow, because children are not camera aware, they are not camera shy. Young babies are sometimes better photographed in an environment that they are entirely comfortable with and that place is often their own home or the garden. The great thing about photographing your own child is that it does not need any special equipment, special effects, or even any really special effort, and it certainly does not involve trailing somewhere in the middle of the night to capture a beautiful dawn. A point and shoot will work wonders.

Probably the most important technical point to remember when photographing a baby is that because of their size, you have to get down to their height to get that wonderful close- up. The easiest way and least dangerous way is to physically get down on the floor with them, not necessarily the most dignified way, but certainly the most rewarding. There are no imperfections in a babies face, you can get as close as you can without showing crow’s feet! You cannot engineer this type of photography it has to happen, but you can be creative in your approach and let the baby respond to you, because it has no knowledge of how to respond to the camera.

With a very young baby still in its crib, there is very little option, but to shoot from the above, unless you want the baby to look as though it is captured in a wooden box, but it is an approach to be avoided if at all possible.

You have more opportunities to photograph babies in more settings than at almost any other age. After all you don’t photograph your mother on the toilet. Few props are useful with babies, but baths and potty’s are great because they are both tools that they are familiar with and with a little patience they can be put to great effect regarding play. Surely you can put up with getting a little damp at bath- time, but of course try and remember to make sure the potty is empty! Above all remember that it fun and relaxed, you will never have the opportunity to have so many natural photos again. Enter into the spirit of it and you will be amply rewarded. Another great “prop” to use if you have one is the family pet, providing it is not intimidating to the baby.

There is no fun at all in photographing someone screaming the house down in fear. Whilst every parent should have at least one set of professional photos taken, don’t rely on someone else to capture those truly enchanting moments, especially at momentous milestones. If it is your child’s first birthday they will reward you with better photographs if you take them yourself. Get someone else (professional) to do it on a less important day.

The professional would do well to keep a file for the parents and offer services such as a montage on the childs or childrens yearly progress (updated every year). There is great value in personalisation and there is an abundance of software available to help you organise this service.

It was widely reported in the press (15 September 1997) that a British tourist, who stole a lump of stone from the base of the Great Pyramid five years earlier, returned it to the Cairo Museum with a letter saying that ‘it had brought him bad luck ever since’. The Museum authorities were not surprised; several such items had been returned by people who felt cursed {When the Luxor Casino was built in Las Vegas it moved on its foundation so the elevators had a lot of re-engineering to be done, while I lived in Las Vegas. The death toll during its construction was nine. Do you think a religious and spiritual force knows when it is being improperly sullied?} after stealing them. A good reason for caution is the largely bogus story of an Egyptian coffin lid – or fragment of a coffin lid. It was told to Arthur Weigall, author of ‘Tutankhamen’ (1923) by its one-time owner, Mr. Douglas Murray who purchased the coffin some time in the 1860s: ‘no sooner had he done so than he lost his arm, owing to the explosion of his gun. The ship in which the coffin was sent home was wrecked, and so was the cab in which it was driven from the docks; the house in which it was deposited was burnt down; and the photographer who made a picture of it shot himself. A lady who had some connection with it suffered great family losses, and was wrecked at sea shortly afterwards…The list of accidents and misfortunes charged to the spirit which is connected with this coffin is now of enormous length.

The presence of an Egyptian mummy on board is sometimes blamed for the loss of the ‘Titanic’. It was said to have been shipped to New York on the supposedly unsinkable liner. Its coffin, no.22542 in the British Museum, is associated with the curse, and Museum authorities caution people who propose to photograph it.” (2)

Negative self-fulfilling expectations are a difficult thing for people to deal with in conjunction with the sorcerers’ art. This is the concept of the ‘War Bottle’ that turns your idiosyncrasies into more unbalanced certitudes that makes a strength become a fatal weakness. It is also the nature of energy that caused a large number of early North American Indians to forego the vanity of having their picture taken. Some of them listened to their wise men talk of the soul being frozen in the minds of those who would see the picture, and thus their spirit would not grow with them. There certainly is truth to the fact that our thoughts impact others. Our thoughts are energy and the thoughts of many people who thought negatively about the ‘stupid savages’ may have had just the impact the shamans and witch-doctors were certain would happen. The curse of humanity is that our soulful energy deceives our ego into thinking we are powerful. The ego doesn’t understand. ‘WE’ is not ‘me’!

CANDLE MAGIC:

Reversing candles are a great thing to protect yourself from the intent of people sending negative energy at you, but talismans and mandalas galore have been most reliable for the minor flare-ups. The cross is a mandala with four entry points for the assimilation of the four primary forces to become balanced at the ‘center’. What you choose for faith in your goodness has much to do with your actual protection. In many ways a ritualistic process opens you through your own energy to the very things you project. This is true in the macrocosm of humanity as well as in the insipid little parcels of power-mongering flesh that think they deserve more than the numerous other life forms that have soul and ethics.

One person (or persons) sought to make me suffer and there were some disturbing physical responses. The individuals involved were gay and they had hit on me numerous times. My response was a joke or a simple ‘not my style’. One of them was in charge of three covens of witches and fancied himself the meanest ‘SOB’ in the Las Vegas Valley. He had a lot of good knowledge about Biblical origins and history and I enjoyed talking with him. The more he tried to impress me the less he succeeded. I made it clear I did not fear him or anything.

I’ve been practising wildlife photography on safari for over twenty years now in places like the Kruger National Park, Chobe, Okavango Delta, and Hwange game reserves and these four tips have been indispensable in making sure that I get some decent wildlife photographs.

1. The Right Equipment

I believe that you can’t beat the quality of film but that digital offers wildlife photography practitioners more options at a better cost so for the purposes of a safari trip a digital camera is your best bet.

It should have some of the following characteristics to qualify as a good safari camera.

There should be little or no lag between the time you depress the shutter release button and the photo is taken. Some of the compact digitals on the market today suffer from this affliction and it’s not ideal when you come across fast moving wildlife subjects.

It should be ready to take photographs at a moments notice because that is sometimes all the time you have before an animal disappears into the undergrowth. No long power up cycle.

Due to the fact that most of your nocturnal wildlife sightings on safari will occur during early morning and dusk it needs to be able to function well in low light conditions as well as bright sunlight during the day for the diurnal animals.

Lenses should have a focal length of at least 70mm for adequate wildlife photography and an image stabiliser is not essential but a great help in eliminating blur.

Another piece of equipment that is essential however is a deadrest in the form of a beanbag or a window mounted tripod that you can rest the camera on to help stabilise the long lenses. Handholding a long lens will often lead to blurring and the dead rest will prevent this. A tripod or monopod is impractical because you will be taking photos from the safari vehicle for most of the time.

2. The Best Wildlife Photography Areas

You can have all the right equipment and the best wildlife photography talent in the world but it won’t mean much if you can’t find any wildlife to take pictures of.

Some areas in Africa are better in terms of safari photography than others. The top five for getting excellent overall wildlife picture opportunities are:

Kenya – Masai Mara

Tanzania – Serengeti

South Africa – Kruger National Park

Botswana – Moremi

Namibia – Etosha

3. Patience and Luck

Everything comes to him who waits is a very relevant saying for wildlife photography. Patience will help you get better photographs because you will be able to take pictures of animal behaviour that you would otherwise have missed.

The role of luck mustn’t be underestimated either. There is no guarantee of what you will encounter in a game reserve and whatever you do get to see and photograph is a matter of a little bit of planning and a lot of good fortune.

4. Light and Composition

Because you are at the mercy of the elements in wildlife photography, you don’t have too much control over the light. Flash is of no use when the animal is at a distance and you can’t wait for better light conditions because the subject could move off at any moment so you need to make the best of what you have.

And due to the habits of nocturnal species you will find yourself taking lots of pictures in low light conditions at dawn and dusk which is why a fast lens and a dead rest is essential. Using bracketing (changing the exposure by one stop up and down) will also help get the optimal exposure in the available light.

What you do have some control over is the position of the safari vehicle which can be moved to change the aspect of light that is falling on the animal somewhat but even that is sometimes not possible because in most reserves you are not allowed to go off-road and moving might scare the subject away.

Composition is something you do have more control of however and you can apply the rule of thirds and framing using the available vegetation just as well as in any other form of photography.

Be especially careful using the autofocus on your camera because it will cheerfully focus on a twig or tuft of grass close to your animal subject and spoil your composition.

You will also need to make your compositional decisions quickly as wildlife often doesn’t hang about long waiting for you to make your mind up so it pays to have a solid foundation in the basics.