How do you get low-angle shots in Africa?

Hello friends!

I had my first visit to Africa last October. The safari was unbelievable experience. However, I couldn't get many low-angle shots during my visit in Kenya because of the fact that almost all photos have to be taken from a vechile.

I heard that some tour companies have adapted special cars that allow photographers to get lower. Have you any experience of those cars? I'd like to know more about them for my future trips.

I spent considerable time on safari in Kenya when could escape from my job there. I agree that shots looking down on the animals are somewhat limiting. Usually, while most viewers had their heads up through the Land Cruiser roof, I found that I generally preferred shooting through the open side windows of the vehicle. There are a few places where you can safely exit the van or truck to get down low to the ground, using caution, usually outside the National Parks.

Open windows is one option. The more obvious option is to use long lenses and don't get as close.

In Botswana there are hides that you can shoot from, and in east Africa I prefer to shoot out of the windows if at all possible.

Thanks for the replies. I used the simple open window technique a lot and also long lenses. Sometimes it didn''t help. I've heard that BBC uses those special vechiles...

Like Andy mentioned, you can shoot from blinds in Botswana, i.e. at Kings Pool camp.

In South Africa and Botswana, the vehicles are open (no roof), so you can get as low as seat level. Or if you can squeeze onto the floor, shoot from near floor level. And, you have the option of sitting next to the driver's seat which is even lower.

The main thing is to direct the driver so that he doesn't get too close for our lens.

Chris
http://www.wildliferhythms.com

Thank you all. Do you know websites introducing those hides or good operators?

In looking through Michael Poliza's Africa, he notes that he shot some of his shots (giraffe drinking for example) while laying on floor of vehicle with the door open.

Well you could always try what this guy did: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... imals.html

It's simple. Go to Zimbabwe. You can get out of the vehicle at any time and shoot from as low as you want. Just make sure your guide is liscenced, as liscenced guides are the only ones allowed to carry firearms. In my last trip to Mana Pools, I crawled right up to wild dogs, within five feet of three cubs; we walked up to four different prides of lions, getting to within 50 feet; laid on my belly to shoot bull elephaqnts crazy close. Also you can canoe the Zambezi and get crazy low angle shots and close to everything. My recommendation vundu Camp, Mana Pools.

In Botswana you can shoot seated in open-sided vehicles. We use custom designed rail config to use bean-bag and/or gimbal heads. In Kenya we shot out the windows when close to subjects and use longer lenses to negate the angle when shooting subjects at distance. Some vehicles in Kenya are open-sided as well as pop top. Know what you are getting into ahead of time, different safari companies use different vehicles, some old some new. I highly recommend no more than 3 photographers per vehicle if you are serious. With Pop-top vehicles in Kenya you can use a Super Clamp with Gimbal head very successfully. Placing a set-up on each side is really the way to go.

Chas in Jassper

genecovey wrote:It's simple. Go to Zimbabwe. You can get out of the vehicle at any time and shoot from as low as you want. Just make sure your guide is liscenced, as liscenced guides are the only ones allowed to carry firearms. In my last trip to Mana Pools, I crawled right up to wild dogs, within five feet of three cubs; we walked up to four different prides of lions, getting to within 50 feet; laid on my belly to shoot bull elephaqnts crazy close. Also you can canoe the Zambezi and get crazy low angle shots and close to everything. My recommendation vundu Camp, Mana Pools.

Hire someone with a firearm to shoot megafauana incase they instinctively react to you being stupid?

Pretty lame!