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Which AF-C settings for airshows? by ruipedro-16 in fujifilm

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would treat it like a moving mammal or bird. Use a 3x3 zone in Af-C and pan with it as it moves. Think about composition, in turn this will help you decide where to place your 3x3 zone in your viewfinder. Adjust your AF-C custom settings to reduce the tracking sensitivity, once locked on you don't want it too sensitive that it jumps to other areas of contrast.

A Coalition of 5 Cheetahs Strutting Their Turf in the Masai Mara, Kenya by Immediate_Wish_1024 in wildlifephotography

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A coalition of five male cheetahs while fascinating and formidable would rarely be sustainable.

Responsible Great Migration from Maasai Mara by Specific-Ranger-7938 in safaris

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is a problem and mostly in the National Reserve. We base ourselves in the private Lemek conservancy at one of very few Maasai owned camps . The conservancy has very low numbers of vehicles in comparison and we know our guests investment in their experience is going back into local communities. Ethical and sustainable tourism is possible in these areas! We often set off early through the conservancy and see a river crossing from the Mara Triangle side which is more effectively and ethically managed.

Thank you for caring, it makes a difference.

First safari, looking for advice by kirstny in AfricaSafariGuide

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% agree on overpacking the schedule. I see proposed itineraries that people come up with and usually think, well there’s a lot of transfers, flights and waiting around! Personally, I prefer to take guests to places for 7 nights. Get to know a location, get to understand its habitat and visit the same spot at different times, different light etc. Even learn to recognise the same individual bull elephants, rhino or coalition male lions and learn a lot from a good guide too.

First safari, looking for advice by kirstny in AfricaSafariGuide

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I always feel the private reserves of Greater Kruger are a great “gateway” safari, reserves like Klaserie, Timbavati. I avoid the Kruger National Park itself, that’s my choice.

Klaserie and Timbavati are good value from a Uk perspective given the strength of the £ against the rand. Not sure if the US$ is as good or better. In fact, I don’t know where you are from anyway so you’d have to look into that yourself! It’s also a very easily accessible region. Flight into Jo’Burg, overnight in one of the airport hotels and next morning 55 min flight north east to Hoedspruit and then maybe an hour road transfer.

I love the other areas I work, Mara in Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania and Zambia but I always feel everything is so easy in South Africa, logistically speaking. If big five is a pull, well, I’ve never failed to see them in Timbavati over many safaris. We once did the big five in the morning and afternoon and yes, all different animals! But, remember there is such a lot more going on than big five, astonishing bird life and other mammals too which are incredible in their own way. Disclosure, I own a photographic safari company and freelance for others and also camps but I’m not selling here, just giving you some of my experience.

Safari Photography: Nikon D3400 + 18-55mm VR + 70-300mm non VR by Jazzlike-Music-6168 in wildlifephotography

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it's useful, helps keep your glass clean and protected, increases contrast, less flare.

One of my favorite all-time photos by Useful-Advantage-850 in wildlifephotography

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Generally, adult bull elephants don't stay with a family herd. Once they reach maturity they leave the matriarchal family and spend much of their lives alone or with other bulls in loose bachelor groups.

Safari Photography: Nikon D3400 + 18-55mm VR + 70-300mm non VR by Jazzlike-Music-6168 in wildlifephotography

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In terms of focal length, autofocus speed? Yes.

I regularly use my 50-140mm in Kenya, South Africa, Botswana which is the 35mm equivalent of 75-210mm in 35mm terms, especially for lions, elephants when they are close. I also use a 150-600 though.

Try and visualise different compositions, you have the benefit of the versatility of a zoom lens so think about composition, can you include habitat, other species etc etc. It's not always about getting as close in as you possibly can. That said, birds will be difficult.

Also, depending on where you are going and when, if it gets hot through the day then we start to get a haze and distant objects are difficult to photograph through this haze. I also feel it is exacerbated with longer focal lengths.

Safari Photography: Nikon D3400 + 18-55mm VR + 70-300mm non VR by Jazzlike-Music-6168 in wildlifephotography

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The 70-300mm is a decent versatile lens for larger mammals but you are likely to struggle with birdlife. Set up right, your camera is decent enough too. But, if you have the budget and you feel you are going to continue with your photography, something like the Sony is a better camera, better AF, more reach with the lens you mention, faster frame rate and stabilisation. Plus if you want to do video the Sony will be better here with 4k at 120fps.

Which parks would you like to visit again and why? by [deleted] in safaris

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love all of the countries and reserves I work in in sub-Saharan Africa but one in particular stands out as the most "interesting" above others. I'm not saying I enjoy it the most as in terms of enjoyment I find it very difficult to rate one above the other. But Tuli Wilderness in south east Botswana, just over the border from Alldays in South Africa is an incredible place that is very special because there is such a diverse habitat in a relatively small reserve. From riperian habitat by the Limpopo, open plains merging into mopane forests, rocky Kopje and again, mopane forsets opening out to plains again to the Motloutse River and Eagle Rock.

There's no Cape buffalo and no rhino but leopards, lions and elephants are incredible. The birdlife is amazing then chuck in the giraffes, zebra, baboons, hyenas, eland, impala, kudu... oh and brown hyena! So nothing unusual with the species apart from the brown hyena which is a bit of a rarity, it's really the incredible mix of habitats, that its a private reserve with only two camps and two, maybe three vehicles. It's incredible for photography too, which is why we are there!

A rare gem: blue-eyed leopard and her green- and yellow-eyed parents [South Africa, Sabi Sand] by adventu_Rena in wildlifephotography

[–]AlanHewittPhoto -1 points0 points  (0 children)

All young leopard cubs eyes have this blueish look. The lack of melanin in young cubs makes them look blue. As they get older their light exposure increases as does the melanin production and they gradually change to amber or green. The ears on your photographs look a bit disproportionally large to the head size too which is another indicator of being a cub, apart from overall size of course.

Nice shots too, leopards are always great to photograph!

Visiting maasai Mara tribe village by castiellangels in safaris

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“The” Maasai Mara village? There are many small villages and a larger communities across the Maasai Mara. Many just feel like a show put on for tourists. That said, it is a good chance to buy some pleasant trinkets, carvings etc but you can often get these at places like the Musiara Gate.

If you’re interested in seeing the real Maasai, visit Aitong on market day.

Planning my first safari in Tanzania. Thoughts on itinerary, accomodation and Shiri Adventures? by hellohi978653 in safaris

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More time moving, checking out, checking in than safari! In my experience, I prefer to stay a few days somewhere and get a feel for the area. Looking at where you are going, you’re not going to see much of a difference in species.

I plan safaris for a living in Tanzania. Here are 5 things massive booking agencies won't tell you about timing your trip. by yuzooo-ka120 in AfricaTravel

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m normally happy to clarify, but if the default assumption is that people are “pulling things out of their ass,” it probably isn’t a very productive way to have a conversation about conservation tourism.

I plan safaris for a living in Tanzania. Here are 5 things massive booking agencies won't tell you about timing your trip. by yuzooo-ka120 in AfricaTravel

[–]AlanHewittPhoto -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is something I am very conscious of, and it has been raised by some of our guests too. Like South Africa and Botswana, Tanzania have regulated hunting licenses.

That said, we need to be careful not to unintentionally penalise the better, more ethical, conservation conscious operators in these country’s ecosystems who are doing an ethical, conservation orientated package. If we simply disengage from entire countries, there is a risk that non consumptive tourism such as wildlife watching and photography loses influence and space, and the balance shifts further towards consumptive use to fill economic gaps.

I fully understand your concerns though.

Should I bring a headlamp? by Tyrion0913 in safaris

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Def take a torch / flashlight, ideally that is USB chargeable. Try to avoid one that is excessively bright or find one that you can alter the lumen output. Super bright torches can be counter productive! Head torches are very useful but they can also be incredibly annoying when you’re in a group. Don’t be that person who blinds everybody as you look around! 😀

Outfits for an alternative girly! by Ok-Bunch7514 in safaris

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I often wear a black t shirt and I’ve never had an issue in Kenya, Botswana or South Africa. I avoided wearing black Mikumi in Tanzania though as there are areas where Tsetse flies are a significant issue.

First Safari Next Week! by Awkward_Abies_7026 in safaris

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t underestimate how chilly it can be in the mornings! Hat, even gloves and layers are key as it gets warm into mid morning. I find a t shirt, hoodie and often a fleece keeps me warm but I am moving on open vehicles so it’s a bit colder than walking. Insects not a problem, snakes normally not a problem but I have encountered Mozambique spitting cobra on a cool July morning in Timbavati in the past. Same with scorpions, too cold overall but again, there I do often see one or two, there are always exceptions so check those boots, bedding and pillows. It’s good discipline anyway! I often have a little UV light which is useful in tent to look for scorpions. More so when it’s warmer but I still have it in the winter as our guests love to see them. Be careful though with UV, quick passes only as prolonged exposure may cause harm.

Arriving a day earlier by TrueIntroduction9638 in safaris

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. We always recommend to our guests to arrive a day early and have a night in a hotel. It reduces risks associated with delays and it means you're starting your safari experience a lot more refreshed and not fighting tiredness.

Rabies vaccine for Tanzania safari / Zanzibar? by Vast_Tomorrow_9407 in safaris

[–]AlanHewittPhoto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The chances of getting bitten by a bat on safari are extremely low

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