Info

Learn how to make the most of your safari pictures and time in the African bush. and embark on this unique wildlife and nature photography course with professional wildlife photographer and safari guide Sean Pattrick.

The focus of this course is to provide a basic understanding of animal behaviour and the sensitivities of working with wildlife; to allow the photographer the best chance of capturing great wildlife photos.

This is an ideal pre-safari trip to make so that you can then use your newly learned skills and apply then to your safari. Or simply to learn new skills and apply them to your photography.

Open to all photographers, digital and film. SLR's or SLR-style cameras are best and the course is open to both high-end enthusiasts and beginners alike.

Digitial & Film Users

Although this wildlife and nature photography course aims to base itself around digital photography for compatibility with post outing workshops - all camera formats are welcome. The course is not a digital workflow seminar but focuses on maximising limited opportunities with wildlife and will focus on the following themes:

* Equipment - camera body; lenses; flash; camera support; filter; converters
* Film - slide film; print or colour negative & digital
* Techniques - camera support; composition; focus; background & edges; depth of field; modes; shutter speed & aperture; exposure and metering light
* Understanding light
* Working with flash
* Composition (especially relating to wildlife)
* Animal behaviour; bush sensativites and ethics

Equipment

Please bring with you any accessories that came with your camera & accessories that you might have purchased as extras such as filters, lens extenders etc. If you are bringing an SLR, then a 200mm or 300mm telephoto lens (or longer) will be of an advantage to you. Please also bring any of the following if you have them as equipment is not provided:

* Bean bag
* Tripods
* Card reader for YOUR card (with USB port)
* For film users (lots of film)
* Lens cleaning / sensor cleaning equipment etc

Please note: You will have to ensure that you have adequate insurance in case of accidental damage or loss of property during your trip to South Africa.

Daily Program

* 05:00 Wake up and early morning tea and cereals
* 05:30 Depart for morning drive and photography
* 10:00 Cooked breakfast
* 11:00 Photo review session and workshop (from previous evening and morning drives)
* 14:00 Lecture and afternoon task preperation
* 15:30 Tea & afternoon snacks
* 16:00 Depart for afternoon drive & photography
* 19:30 Dinner (bush or camp dinners)
* 20:00 Occasional after dinner photography (e.g. stars)

Duration

3 nights 4 days 4 nights 5 days (best option) Availability this Feb 2009 on a course starting Feb 9th, ending Feb 13th

Start Dates

Running all year Monday - Friday or Friday to Monday

Costs / Benefits

Cost varies depending on location/duration and the exchange rate fluctuations but is between 510 pound - 650 pound per person.

Requirements

SLR or SLR-style camera and telephoto lens of minimum 200mm (preferbly 300mm). No past photography skills are required, the course is aimed at all abilities.