African Safari Newsletter

January 2008

Welcome to the New Year!!!

 
It is with eager anticipation that I look forward to this year! I am leading five safaris to East Africa and I can hardly wait to be back there again in February!!!

The situation in Kenya appears to be returning to peaceful. The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) reported that there have been no reports of any problems affecting tourists staying in Nairobi hotels, on safari, beach resorts or transferring between airports and hotels. This has been the case throughout the whole post-election period. My heart, prayers and thoughts go out to the people of Kenya and the regions affected by instability during the post election period. I hope that for the sake of their own people and the country, that the leaders will set their personal pride aside and to work toward a goal that is best for all of the people of Kenya.

Last September, on the trip I led with Jim Zuckerman, Scott Stulberg, a friend of Jim's and now mine, taught us some good tips about photographing people. In this newsletter I am sharing some of Scott's photos.
 

Joseph
Canon 5D: Canon24-105
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg

I have never met anyone with as much energy, passion, and zest for having fun with people. Scott loves teaching and helping people with their photography and photoshop, which he teaches at UCLA and at Betterphoto.com. I attended one of his Photoshop classes at UCLA extension school after the trip and can vouch for the fact that he is a excellent instructor. Scott has a wonderful, creative way of working with people. His excitement is contagious and spreads to those he is photographing.

Samburu People
Canon 5D: Canon 16-35
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg

When we arrived at the Maasai Boma in Amboseli, the chief's son was welcoming us to their village. I happened to glance toward the entrance and there was Scott, laying on his back in the dirt and livestock manure, with a group of Maasai gathered around him. They were all smiling and laughing and having a good time. He was already getting the photos he had dreamt of!

Maasai Warriors
Canon 5D: Canon 16-35
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg

Scott had this man hold a soft gold collapsible reflector at the correct angle to brighten up his face.

Maasai Man
Canon 5D: Canon 50 mm Macro
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg

Upcoming Safari Schedule for 2008
 

On the trips I am happy to share my photographic knowledge with my clients. You do not have to be a great photographer to go on the trips, however you should enjoy watching wildlife because that is our main focus.

Scotts's Photo Tips

One of Scott's tips is "Don"t be shy!" Sure, easy for him to say! Many of us are shy and it is difficult for us to approach people and to pose them way we would like to . I have always said,"people are much more scary than animals to photograph". As I watched Scott move in and quickly create a fun rapport with the people, by talking and joking with them, I told myself "I can do this". Hopefully others feel the same way I did.

Scott also suggested asking people to step out of the group and pose in a different location and don't be afraid to use props such as spears, bow and arrows or what ever is available that will make for a more interesting photo. Scott says the most important thing to consider when photographing people and wildlfe is the light source. Time of day, angle of the light , contrast, shadows and much more are need to be considered when trying to capture the best photos that you can. Scott's favorite motto is "THINK DIFFERENT". He says if you think differently....you will see differently. To see more of Scott's work and many more photos from our trip, visit his web site at www.asa100.com.

Samburu Warrior Silhouettes
Canon 5D: Canon 16-35
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg

"Best Photo trip ever!!!" Scott Stulberg

 

Scott Stulberg, Modi and Jim Zuckerman
Copyright 2007, Betty Wisse
 

Scott and Jim are professional photographers who travel the world shooting stock photography. Their images are published world wide and the both agree that this trip was the best photo tour they have ever been on.

On several evenings spectacular storm clouds blew in over the Masai Mara from Lake Victoria .

Resting lions in the foreground added interest to this scene.
Lions at the River
Canon 5D: Canon 16-35
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg

By using a 500mm lens and a wide open aperture, Scott was able to blur the background and isolate the lions.

Male Lion
Canon 5D: Canon 500 with 1.4 Teleconverter
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg
 

Lioness
Canon 5D : Canon 500
Copyright 2007,Scott Stulberg

Lodges and Camps we use on our Safaris

We stay in first class luxury lodges and camps.

For information and photos of the lodges and accommodations click here.

 Our tours are limited to 18 people, including the leaders. We have only 3 passengers per 9 passenger vehicle giving us plenty of space for our photo equipment. We can photograph through windows on BOTH sides of the vehicle and also the top, which pops up to create shade so you are protected from the hot, equatorial sun.

As we leave the lodges, the vehicles separate and spread out, so we have six guides out looking for wildlife. They each have radios to let each other know what they find. This way no one misses out on seeing the wildlife and with six great guides, you can hardly believe all of the wildlife they find. They are amazing!!!

Sometimes, I think Scott takes "get to know your subject" a little too seriously.

Just one little kiss.....Please?

Morani - Tame Rhino at Sweetwaters

Copyright 2007, Betty Wisse

Lazy Lions
Canon 5D: Canon 500
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg

Elephants crossing the sun baked, dry lake pan in Amboseli.

Follow The Leader
Canon 5D: Canon 500 and 1.4 Reconverted
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg

Elephants enjoy rolling in the mud. Not only is it fun, but it also cakes on their hide and protects them from the sun, insects and parasites. The evening sun illuminating a portion of the elephant's head gives a warm, moody feeling to the photo. As photographers, this is the type of light we often hope for.

Elephant Texture
Canon 5D: Canon 17-40mm
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg

In Samburu we saw five leopards. This female seemed to enjoy posing for us. We have been very fortunate in finding her on most of our trips to Samburu. This time she had a cub. It was was so shy that as soon as we spotted them them, it ran down the tree and was hid in the grass. Mom, on the other hand, stayed around for quite some time. She was wonderful!

Leopard
Canon 5D: Canon 500
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg

Africa is famous for spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Each day our morning game drive begins before sunrise. On our afternoon game drives, we return to the lodge just after sunset. This gives us the best opportunities to photograph this incredible beauty.

Brewing Storm in the Mara
Canon 5D: Canon 70-200
Copyright 2007, Scott Stulberg
 

For more information, prices and itineraries click here.

Enjoy each day,

Paul