SANParks.org Forums

I'm in KNP next month and want to start experimenting with my DSLR. I don't know too much about anything photographic, and was wondering if there is a thread with wildlife photos that shows a picture, followed by the camera settings for that specific photo. Similar to the "reporting of lawbreakers" thread where it shows a photo, and below explains the camera and settings. I'm very keen to see what you"pros" do when capturing those special wildlife shots.

Many thanks!

Hi Guzz first of all what camera will you be using ??

This should read, and this is from a pro.

Settings and Photos.

First youset down the aminal, tell him to set stills, and then take the picture.

But on a serious note, what camera do you use, lens, .

I think you should have a browse on sites like Flickr or Outdoorphoto.
Those sites let you see all about the photo, like focal length, aperture, speed etc.

But in a nutshell, aperture is the one you want to know about. Those dreaded f-stops. We have a topic here about it, probably more than one.

Rule of thumb:
A portrait? Lens fully open, and then stopped back one stop. That will make the subject sharp, and the background blurred.
Eh. Okay, if the numbers on your lens say f/4-f/5.6 that means that if you are fully zoomed you should use f/8. If you are zoomed out you should use f/5.6.
One stop more because you get the most out of your lens in sharpness.

Landscapes? Head for f/16, maybe f/11. Then you get it sharp all the way. The f/11 will slightly blur the background, making it more dreamy.
But mind your shuttertime then!

www.trekearth.com and www.treknature.com used to do something like that. And you can look at critiques as well, although I had heard the critiques weren't as in depth as they once were.

Haven't been there for a while though.

Thanks all,

I have a Canon 350D with a Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro.

Usually when I take photos I've got the lense on full zoom, and the camera on Auto. I want to start "playing" with it a bit more in the park next month.

Let me give a scenario, and then if you guys can give me the basic settings, I'll play around from there.

Let's say I'm trying to snap an Impala, 30m into the bush, perfect sunny day, lens on full zoom... Where do I start?

F-value?
ISO?
SS?

Many thanks!

Perfect sunny day, so ISO at 100.
Set the dial to AV, so you control the depth of field.
Thirty meters, so your zoom will be insufficient, but it means that you should shoot at f/8. (One stop more than the f/5.6 the lens has at full zoom.)

Check placement of beanbag, rest camera on it, frame the impala, and shoot.