"Elephant Attacks Pro Photographer"

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Hey Gang,

I have photographed my fair share of elephants in Africa. The sunset shot here, taken in Botswana, is one of my favorites.

Over the years, I have had a few close encounters with elephants and other African animals - during the day and at night.

Tune in tomorrow for the story behind the top picture.

Explore the light - and be careful when on safari!
Rick

Eyes on Africa Day 2: Tuesday's Tips: See the Light & Don't Shoot Down

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My blog posts this week will be devoted to tips on taking pictures on an African Safari (some of which you can also use in wildlife parks). Each day's blog topic will remain the same:

• Monday’s Inspirational Message
• Tip For Tuesday
• Where in the World? Wednesday
• Photo Thought for Thursday
• Friday Fun Photo
• Saturday Photoshop Mini-Session
• Sunday Speedlite Secrets

Subscribe and stay tuned.

I took all these pictures within about an hour of each other. The picture on the right is my "keeper." Great light!

The top left picture was taken after the sun had set. Flat light, little contrast. A photo dud.

The middle picture illustrates how close the animals can come to the vehicles. Just a boring grab shot.

The bottom picture illustrates that point that when you photograph animals close up from a vehicle, the photo looks as though it could have been taken in a zoo or wildlife park. You are much better off using a long lens and photographing the animal at a distance. The further away the animal, the more it appears that you are seeing eye to eye – as illustrated in my keeper.

Want more tips? See my article on Ultimate Travel Photography.

If an African safari is on your "bucket list," I am leading two awesome African photo safaris in 2010:
Kenya
and
Kenya and Rwanda.

Closer to home, yet still with a taste of Africa, I am leading a workshop to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (Glen Rose, Texas) in December.

If you have any questions about these and my other workshops, please contact me at ricksammon@me.com.

Make pictures,
Rick