African Wildlife & Environment Issue 76 FINAL

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

correct composition and that there is artificial flashlight that mimics the natural light. Getting the right shot could take weeks or even months, and this is where the camera traps are so effective. They do not need food, sleep or loo breaks and do not smell, so what they do could never be emulated by a human settled into a blind waiting for the animal to appear. Having a decent camera should be the aspiration of any dedicated bush lover or protected area manager. It must become a part of your equipment that you lug along daily. The old saying, of 'having it and not using it', is better than 'wanting it and not having it' when that photographic opportunity of a lifetime presents itself. There has always been that dilemma of whether you should take a photograph or rather video a scene. With the modern technology you can often select an image from your video and have a very decent photographic record of what was captured by the video. The pleasure that photography has brought to me as an absolute amateur has been well worth the effort. I can fully understand why people like Daryl Balfour left his day job to concentrate on taking photographs as a professional. The investment one makes in the equipment can be exorbitantly expensive if you want to do serious

photography as a professional. However, for a moderate outlay you can pick up photographic equipment that will more than meet your needs as an entry-level amateur or a dedicated enthusiast. What for some might be a very average photograph could for others be a masterpiece. Once the photography gogga bites, beware, because you will not easily be satisfied, and you know you are in trouble when you choose that new super telephoto lens over buying that new car. I am sure that many of you can relate to this! I dedicate this to all my colleagues and friends who have pushed the boundaries with their photography and continue to bring us superb images that we can enjoy for all time. Happy snappy!

Bryan Havemann Warden of the Umbabat Private Reserve warden@umbabat.co.za

17 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 76 (2020)