Four tips to take stunning smartphone photos when on safari
Safari photography with a smartphone may seem like a challenge, but with a few techniques you can capture great photos. Here are four tips…
Going on a safari and witnessing majestic animals in their natural habitat is an exhilarating experience, but how do you capture these moments without professional camera gear? Believe it or not, your smartphone is more than capable of delivering stunning photos. With the right techniques, you can transform simple snapshots into breathtaking images. Here are four essential tips for taking exceptional safari photos using just your smartphone…
1. Harness the power of natural light
One of the most important aspects of photography is lighting, and on a safari, you’re blessed with nature’s best light – especially during the “golden hours” of early morning and late afternoon. These times offer soft, warm lighting that adds depth and richness to your photos. But how do you use this light to your advantage?
Well, positioning matters. Always try to keep the sun behind you to fully illuminate the subject, whether it’s a lion basking in the morning sun or a herd of elephants crossing the plains. The sunlight will help bring out the vivid colours of the scene, ensuring the photo feels vibrant and lifelike.
If you want a more artistic approach, try shooting directly into the sun. This technique, known as backlighting, is perfect for creating dramatic silhouettes. For instance, you could capture the outline of a giraffe against the glow of the setting sun, producing a striking image.
2. Be cautious with zooming
One of the major challenges when photographing wildlife is distance. Often, the animals will be far away, tempting you to zoom in on your smartphone. Zooming with a smartphone however, can lead to grainy, pixelated images. Instead, consider a few alternatives.
This can include getting closer when possible (and safe), rather than relying on your phone’s zoom. The less zoom you use, the sharper your photos will be.
If your smartphone has a telephoto lens (often available on newer models), use this instead of the digital zoom. It can capture distant subjects with much better clarity.
Also, don’t be afraid to take wide shots and crop them later. Modern smartphone cameras are equipped with high-resolution sensors, allowing you to crop photos without losing too much detail.
3. Steady your shots for sharp photos
Safari environments are rarely static. Whether you’re on a bumpy road in a safari vehicle or standing on uneven terrain, holding your smartphone steady can be difficult. Any small movement can lead to blurry photos, especially when you’re photographing moving animals.
To help with this you could try to use stable surfaces such as the safari vehicle, a tree, or even a rock to rest your phone against. This will reduce the amount of shaking and help you achieve sharper images.
Most smartphones also have a burst mode, which takes multiple shots in rapid succession. When photographing moving animals, using burst mode increases your chances of getting a perfectly timed, clear shot.
4. Master composition for striking photos
Great wildlife photos aren’t just about snapping pictures of animals—they’re about telling a visual story. Composition plays a crucial role in creating powerful, balanced images that draw the viewer in. A few composition techniques can elevate your photos from ordinary to extraordinary.
Turn on the grid function on your smartphone camera to apply the rule of thirds. This technique involves placing your subject along one of the grid lines or at an intersection point, rather than directly in the center. This simple adjustment creates a more dynamic and visually appealing shot.
Some of the most captivating wildlife photos capture animals in action. Whether it’s a lioness on the hunt, a zebra running across the savannah, or birds flying in formation, action shots add energy and emotion to your pictures.