Photography News issue 19

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On safari Wildlife parks offer the chance to experience the thrill of a big game safari without leaving the country and, thanks to Samsung, five readers did precisely that in the company of Will Cheung READER EXPERIENCE

potential impact on image quality. Longleat keeps the windows of its Land Rovers clean which is a great help. Space was at a premium, though, and the big rucksacks a couple of our readers had with them couldn’t be accommodated so it was time to think about what to take and what to leave behind. To be honest, though, it wasn’t that difficult and in lens terms, all you need is a telephoto so there’s no point taking a wide-angle or a macro with you. Our safari started quietly through the Bongo Pass and here the windows could be wound down. It was a genteel introduction to shooting from a Land Rover with its engine running. In the wild, cameras and long lenses can be supported by heavy beanbags, which give excellent stability but without compromising flexibility.

are various options at Longleat) gives more freedom to get a good angle for the best shots regardless of where you’re sitting in the vehicle. Clearly photographing captive animals is not the same as being in the wild, but then there is not the same commitment in terms of effort, time and money. At least in a safari park you know the animals are going to be there even if they are asleep. Technically it is still a challenge and getting the right framing and focus spot on can still be a test. Before our safari began, our VIP driver Steve Tuff briefed us on what to expect and also on when we could open the windows of the Land Rover. With the monkeys and the big cats, the windows had to be closed for obvious reasons. Shooting through car windows is not ideal and can be tricky with reflections and flare as well as the

Written by Will Cheung

With the monkeys and big cats the windows had to be closed

Going on safari and seeing big game in the wild is a huge thrill, but not everyone has the time or budget to enjoy the experience for themselves. But there is a cheaper and much more accessible option in the form of wildlife parks and many offer special tours where you get to experience what a safari is like. We booked a VIP safari at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire and asked readers to send in their best natural history pictures. The best five won a seat on the safari and a Samsung SD 32GB PRO memory card to capture the experience. Go as a normal visitor to a safari park and you have to stick to the road which means you often are relatively distant from the animals. A VIP safari (there

ABOVE Fencing and other vehicles can clutter up the background so watch out for that when framing your shots.

Photography News | Issue 19