Can you take professional wildlife photos with a phone?

Aspiring wildlife photographers often think that in order to become professional, they absolutely need “real” camera equipment. But Christian Sperka, resident photographer and Photography Guide at Thanda Safari in KwaZulu-Natal says otherwise.

‘I often hear it said that when going on safari, one “must” have a decent camera with a reasonable long tele-focus lens. And while it is an advantage to have (and use) such a camera, nowadays most people have very good smartphones (iPhones or Android-based) and prefer to travel light.’

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‘I take a lot of images and video clips with my smartphones. Personally, I work with Canon DSLRs, Apple iPhones and a DJI Phantom drone. And in the last two years, I’ve taught far more people “smartphone” photography than “proper camera” photography,’ Sperka says.

If you’re still on the fence, here’s why phone photography can be a good idea next time you go on safari.

Wide-angle pictures

Smartphones are very good for taking wide-angle pictures. Focus on the beautiful scenery and the wildlife and you will create some great memories. Zooming in on pictures (pinching) should be avoided as most smartphones only provide digital zoom (equivalent to picture cropping).

Catching that sunset

Smartphones are great for those difficult light conditions such as sunsets, sunrises and interesting cloud formations over beautiful scenery. These are often easier to capture with the smartphone than with a regular camera. Combined with a good “enhancement” app, like an excellent Camera+ for iPhones, amazing pictures can be created.

Additional equipment is affordable

Clip-on tele-focus lenses are available at very little cost and having such a lens will make it possible to get a decent shot of distant targets like lions and birds. Binoculars can also serve as a tele-focus lens (make sure there is a small distance between the camera lens and the binoculars ocular, focusing first on the subject with your binos, before using your smartphone camera).

Macro-shots

Smartphones are excellent at taking macro-shots. Anything from plants to small creatures can be captured very well. Make sure to check with your guide that it is safe to get close to any creature.

The photography services and courses are a big drawcard at Thanda Safari and the following is provided by Christian Sperka.

Free Photography Lesson

To help you capture your time at Thanda, guests are offered a complimentary photography lesson to teach you more about the art of catching the perfect wildlife moment.

During the lesson, Sperka will teach you how to set up your digital camera or smartphone and introduce you to the basic rules of wildlife photography.

Photography in the Wild

After a complimentary 90-minute wildlife photography lesson or professional discussion, you head out on a three-hour evening game drive in a private safari vehicle to put into practice what you have learned during your lesson, or to hone your skills without being rushed.

For information about a Smart Phone Safari and/or Photo Safaris contact: [email protected]

All images were created with various iPhones (7Plus, X Plus, 12 Pro) with most being cropped.

Thanda Safari

E: [email protected]

T: +27 (0) 32 586 0149 | thandasafari.co.za

Pictures: Christian Sperka

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