Overview
In this course participants will be actively involved in conservation efforts, specifically the daily monitoring of two threatened species on Thanda Private Game Reserve the African Wild Dog and Cheetah.
The team also monitors the Elephant, Buffalo, White and Black Rhino, Spotted Hyena and the Leopard populations on the reserve. The reserve also has Lion, which you will be sure to encounter while out monitoring the other species.
On morning and evening monitoring sessions with animal researchers we will focus on the study and photography of the two main species being monitored.
During and between the drives Christian will teach camera setup, basic principles, predicting animal behavior, field techniques and picture post-processing.
About Wildlife ACT
The survival of Africas critically endangered species is in your hands, the current generation. Scientist have estimated that if we do not stem the tide threatening over 400 endangered animals and species of wildlife in Africa within the next 20 years, they will be lost forever. Wildlife ACT is a passionate and experienced team that implement and manage tracking and wildlife conservation projects on reserves across Zululand, South Africa, using endangered species volunteers and forms a critical step in the conservation of critically endangered animals like the Wild Dog, Cheetah and Black Rhino to name a few.
Benefits
What can you expect from this one-week wildlife photography course with Christian Sperka?
At the end you will have learned and experienced
- know how to setup the camera properly for wildlife photography
- know all the basic rules about motion/wildlife photography
- know how to react to different and difficult photographic situations in the bush (motion, flight, light, patience
)
- know how interpret animal behavior to be ready for your shot
You also get an insight into picture post-processing from review and selection to turning your good shot into an outstanding picture (Christian will show/use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom as well as ACDSee Pro and Paintshop Pro).
You should bring your own laptop to be able to get into post-processing right then and there.
Once you are registered for the course Christian will be personally in touch with you to advise you on any equipment or other course related questions you may have. As Christian will only take four course participants in one class you will get personal attention all the way.
Available Dates 2011
not scheduled yet
Location: not defined yet
Total costs per person: not defined yet
(all inclusive except flights, transfers and alcohol)
Board and lodging: not defined yet
Program (typical day)
-Sunrise to ~ 9 a.m. - Morning monitoring drive
- ~ 9 a.m. 11 a.m. - Breakfast and relax time
- 11 a.m. 12 p.m. - Photography course meeting - Topic of the day
- 1 p.m. 3 p.m. - Lunch and relax time
- 2 p.m. 3 p.m. - Photography clinic - Christian is available for Q&A
- 3 p.m. sunset - Evening monitoring drive
- after sunset - Dinner
Materials Required
- A digital camera (with the ability to adjust aperture/shutter speed/ISO speed = a digital SLR)
- At least a 300mm lens
- A laptop is optional but recommended for post-processing sessions
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