By Becky Wolfe
Africa! The land of Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti and every photographer's dream trip. Pack your camera, leave your inhibitions and go! There are many ways in which Africa can be explored and for my particular journey, I chose an open-air, overland truck. I was roughing it. The driver of the truck was also our guide, we slept in tents, and we followed a basic outline starting us in Zimbabwe, into Zambia, up through the friendly country of Malawi, the safari lands of Tanzania and Kenya and into Ethiopia.
I suppose a serious photographer can approach Africa with a specific goal in mind, planning on shooting elephants at dusk, herding near a watering hole with acacia trees in the scene and giraffes in the distance, taking into account the light and shadows, exposing for both to make the perfect blend for an award winning cover photo...but I recommend you forget all that.
"Don't treat each click of the shutter as a National Geographic hopeful."
Take Africa as it comes and don't miss a thing by being so busy planning the perfect shot. Approach Africa like a kid on Christmas morning and get excited! To me, there was no more exciting place I could be. Every site and sensation was new, every smell, every landscape and, of course, every creature. I didn't want to miss a thing being too focused on what I was seeing only through my lens.
Tons of photo opportunities
The first time I saw an elephant, a whole herd of them crossed directly in front of our truck in South Luangwe National Park in Zambia. I was so awestruck that I didn't even think to take out my camera. All I could do was stare. But then, I had a moment of panic after they had passed, thinking I had missed my elephant photo opportunity. My guide reassured me that we would see many more and to just enjoy my first sighting as a visual memory and the excitement I felt at that moment.
The elephant sighting opportunities were plentiful and I was not disappointed. There were great photos to be had in each game park visited. We saw them in herds, we saw them with babies, we saw some alone, we saw them crossing rivers and we even found ourselves running from a charging one on our way back to our campsite after a night of a few too many Amarulas. I didn't think to take my camera out for that shot either...no time! You can see some of my elephant shots in Figure A and Figure B.
FIGURE A
Here are some elephants in the Tarangire National Park, along with a little baby elephant. (click for larger image) FIGURE B
Elephants are crossing the river in the Samburu National Park. (click for larger image)
And this is how it went with most of the animals I saw. The photo opportunities were good and bad. When I saw giraffes for the first time, I was ready with my camera. I started snapping away when they were way in the distance, camouflaged among the trees. The photos were awful! You could hardly tell there were giraffes in the scene. But it didn't matter at the time because in the next game park, especially in the Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, the giraffe photo ops were plentiful and I was able to get clearer, closer shots that were definitely keepers, like the one in Figure C.
FIGURE C
A giraffe is eating acacia in the Tarangire National Park. (click for larger image)
My point is "shoot always". Make sure you pack as many memory cards or rolls of film that you can and just take pictures. Sometimes, when you're caught up in the moment of shooting, not so worried about light or aperture or rules, you will come out with some of your best or at least most memorable shots. Don't treat each click of the shutter as a National Geographic hopeful.
If it's your first trip to Africa, make sure you're seeing it with your eyes and not just your lens, because you will see so much more and maybe catch the photos you weren't even looking for.
Some practical advice
Depending on the time of year and the countries in Africa you choose to visit, your camera gear may be facing a few challenges. Humidity is high in the coastal lands, dust flies just about everywhere in the dry season, sand gets everywhere on the beaches or in the desert. If you're there in the rainy seasons, you will need moisture protection for everything.
Be sure you take your proper cleaning equipment. Make sure your camera bag has a raincoat to keep your gear dry and the dust out. Pause to check out your lens from time to time. After spending hours in the Ngorongoro Crater, or watching the great herds cross the mighty Serengeti, you will most definitely be facing a build up of dust and spots on your lens that can ruin all those great and awe-inspiring photos you've been taking.
Who wants to spend hours in front of the computer when you get back home, meticulously cloning out dust spots on over 1000 photos?
Don't just shoot the animals
There is so much more to photograph in Africa aside from the Big Five creatures. Birders will have unlimited photograph opportunities to see amazing feathered creatures like flamingos, secretary birds, marabou storks, pelicans and all the different types of smaller birds in every beautiful color. Figure D shows a gathering of flamingos.
FIGURE D
Here's a gathering of flamingos on the edge of Lake Nakuru. (click for larger image)
Landscape lovers will also find the views both amazing and diverse. Dense green jungles, red earth, white sands, grey rocks and never-ending plains. From the river valleys and ocean's edges to the rocky and snowy peaks of Kilimanjaro, some of the landscapes, like the one in Figure E, will blow you away and fill your memory card fast.
FIGURE E
Here, you can see barren mountains of Ethiopia. (click for larger image)
However, don't forget to enjoy the culture and the people as well. Among them are the colourful tribal Massai people shown in Figure F, the friendly and bead-wearing Samburu people shown in Figure G, the strange and distinct traditions of the people of the Omo Valley in Ethiopia. Their cultures are fascinating, and the photographs will be amazing.
FIGURE F
Massai children climbing on a camel makes for a great photo. (click for larger image) FIGURE G
Colourful Samburu women singing and dancing can showcase some of their wonderful craftwork as well. (click for larger image)
Be sure to compensate your subjects for each photo you take. This will be expected. They will pose for you, but you must pay them a small amount for taking their photo in certain areas. In other areas, you will be welcomed with open arms &and friendly smiles right into their villages, surrounded by excited children, each one eager to pose for the camera.
If you have one available, a Polaroid would be ideal for photographing the children because a photo of themselves, or a photo of you with them, would be something they would cherish and something rare for them to have. I didn't have a Polaroid with me but a few times I would show the children their photo on my digital screen and they were delighted to be able to see themselves. Even the adults would appreciate seeing a photo of themselves, and especially if you are included in the photo.
Unless you are expected to pay for the photo no matter what, be sure to go beyond the photo and see if you can communicate or get to know a part of the people you are with. Show interest in their huts, their villages and their children. If you know even just a few words, they will be more than accommodating to teach you a few more.
You might be surprised that many African people will know at least a few English words, if not many. But if they know a few of your words, take that opportunity to have them teach you a few of their own. Especially if you want to ask to take a photo, knowing how to say 'hello', 'please' and 'thank you' in the language will take you much further than just pointing a lens in their face.
When it comes down to taking photos in Africa, the best advice is to look with your eyes and then follow with your lens. Don't wait for every perfect moment. Shoot like it's going out of style. Take in the scenery and get to know the beautiful people. Africa will enchant you and you will want to go back.