| If you're anything like me you see an African wildlife | | | | magnificent animals. |
| photographer on the TV and you wish it could be | | | | 2. Your photographs will help build a valuable and |
| you. Out there in the bush with lions, elephant, | | | | important library of wildlife which will raise awareness |
| cheetah, rhino, hippo. The amazing, evocative sights | | | | of conservation issues. |
| and sounds. Well what if it could be you? What if you | | | | 3. You will be able to share your knowledge and |
| found out that all you needed was the enthusiasm? | | | | enthusiasm, using your photography to help educate |
| Well, not quite all. You'll need a digital SLR camera of | | | | local children so that generations to come can |
| course with an 18-55 lens, and as much memory as | | | | preserve and manage these areas. |
| you can afford. Well you wouldn't want to miss | | | | 4. While part of the time you are an African wildlife |
| anything. More lenses might be helpful to you but | | | | photographer, at other times you can help in the |
| that will depend on you, it's not a requirement. Nor is | | | | actual regeneration and preservation of the bush |
| any experience. You would be going to Africa to | | | | itself. |
| learn. | | | | 5. With the help of expert guides you can become an |
| There's a catch, of course, but it's one you will | | | | expert on the local flora and fauna. A photographer |
| probably be more than happy with. You will need to | | | | who knows their subject intimately is always a better |
| work with one of the volunteer wildlife conservation | | | | photographer. |
| organizations, and as a volunteer you have to pay | | | | 6. You can increase the scope and diversity of your |
| your way. But then what would you pay to have a | | | | portfolio. If professional photography is your aim, |
| photography expert give you tuition while taking | | | | how much better will your chances be with this kind |
| pictures in the African bush? This isn't instructions | | | | of spectacular imagery in your arsenal? |
| from a book, this is actually being there. | | | | 7. Experience the adventure that is Africa and make |
| Here are the kind of things involved: | | | | friendships that will last a lifetime. |
| 1. You will have the highly qualified, intensive help of a | | | | So yes, you could be that African wildlife |
| professional photographer in one of Africa's | | | | photographer. Alternatively I suppose you could visit |
| spectacular national parks. You will have the | | | | your local zoo, but you know that's never going to |
| opportunity to photograph the stunning scenery, like | | | | be the same. |
| Victoria Falls or those strange Baobab trees, and the | | | | |