There’s an overused saying that says, “Your safari is only as good as your guide”, however it continues to prove itself true. As a result, we relentlessly aspire to ensure that our guides deliver the very best possible safari experience.
Nikon in the Picture
April and May are known for the rains that sweep across East Africa. Typically the wettest time of the year, many camps and lodges close their doors over this period, allowing for renovations, staff leave days, and training programs to take place. Every year, we conduct guide training during this period – foundation courses for new recruits, and varying levels of progressively more specialised courses for senior and walking guides.
This year, we did something new. After exploring various avenues of collaboration with Nikon Middle East & Africa, we arranged for an accredited Nikon School Trainer and Nikon Creator to spend time with a handful of Asilia guides for an intensive photography on safari training course. Yobel Muchang joined 11 senior Asilia guides in Oliver’s Camp, in Tarangire National Park, for a three-day workshop titled “Photography for a Guide”. Nikon supplied sufficient camera bodies to ensure each guide had his own to work with, alongside a variety of different lenses to cover all shooting eventualities. With camera gear and a trainer in place, our guides were ready to start learning.
Given the amount of time a safari guide spends in the bush, surrounded by fascinating wildlife and beautiful landscapes, it should come as no surprise that photography becomes a natural interest for many guides. With too many enthusiastic potential participants to choose from, the decision was made based on seniority, providing head guides with an additional skillset they can impart to their juniors. Nearly all of our Tanzania camps were represented, ensuring a good foundation from which the information could be disseminated.
The Workshop
Day one of the workshop focussed on getting to grips with the functionality of the Nikon camera. This covered the various pre-programmed functions within the automatic shooting settings, as well as the option to venture increasingly into full manual. Time in the classroom covered the theoretical elements of light, dealing with aperture and shutter speed, as well as lens selection based on lighting conditions. Later in the day, theory was put into practice within the confines of camp as the guides explored the functions of their Nikon cameras and experimented with the various settings, comparing their results with input and guidance from Yobel.
The following morning, the guides headed into the Tarangire bush to apply their learnings in a real environment. It was at this point that the workshop began to include key principles for a guide to appreciate and consider applicable when guiding photographers. Seated in the back of our safari vehicles, they were at the mercy of the driver to position the car in a manner that allowed them the optimal angle on their subject, taking into consideration the position of the subject and the light acting upon it. For a safari guide hosting photographers, this is the important stuff. As unaccustomed as they are to sitting in the back of a safari vehicle, it was through this experience that they were able to learn about the crucial role they play in assisting a photographer. Armed with this knowledge, they can become more intuitive, acting almost autonomously within the parameters of the photographers’ goals.
However, not all guests that arrive with digital cameras are seasoned photographers. Many digital cameras are the result of an enthusiastic pre-safari purchase or perhaps stored at the back of the cupboard and only brought out for special occasions, making way for the handy mobile phone used for everyday snaps. As a result, it is not uncommon to encounter a guest with decent piece of camera gear but shooting in full auto. It is our hope, that through the “Photography for a Guide” workshop, Asilia guides will be able to better serve a wider spectrum of camera user. From the pro wildlife photographer looking for a guide with a deep understanding of angles, lighting, and composition, to the novice photographer that would like to venture off full auto and develop an understanding of the capabilities of their camera.
A Successful Start
By day 3, our guides were capturing both creative and beautiful imagery. From the back of the vehicle, they had had the opportunity to focus purely on the process behind the image they were tying to capture, without the pressure of driving and guiding. At the same time, and from the same seat, they learned about the importance of the guide and the crucial ability to position the vehicle in a manner that best sets the photographer up for success. It’s the understanding that the guide’s view is not the most important, and the ability to ensure that the photographer is the one with the unobstructed line of sight to the subject.
The workshop was something new. Inspired by our dedication to consistently improve our guest experience and ensure our guides are amongst the best in the business. Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife photographer or just looking to get the best possible digital memories from your East Africa safari, by choosing an Asilia guide you can rest assured that you have the right companion behind the wheel.
If you’re feeling like you’re ready to push the limits of your photography knowledge or are itching to get your long lens in amongst the wildlife of East Africa, perhaps it’s time to talk to us about a photographic safari.
All wildlife images featured were captured by Asilia guides during the course of their training in Tarangire National Park. With thanks to Yobel Muchang and Nikon Middle East & Africa.
