Walking with Giants

This was shot on an assignment in Zambia last year. One of the lodgesthat is featured in our latest book (Wild Romance - Africa's mostromantic safari lodges) asked us if we could return to shoot someadditional material for their new brochures. One of the most importantfeatures of this camp is the fact that they offer guided walkingsafaris. The area is famous for the large herds of elephants, and thecamp owner wanted to have a shot of an elephant standing underneath alarge Winterthorn tree, also typical for this area, with a group oftourists and guide in the background. Obiviously, this is easier saidthan done.

Photographing an elephant is one thing, but to photograph one withpeople in it is quite something else. In order to get the shot, weused two vehicles - one with myself in it and a guide, and one withthe 'actors'. The idea was to have four people in the shot: twotourists, a guide and a security guard. We drove around the area,searching for elephants, preferably standing in good light and eatingfrom a big Winterthorn tree. When we found one, I would take positionand use a radio to direct the other vehicle to the spot where Iwanted the people in the frame. I would then make the compositionwhile the four actors would get out of their car and very slowly andquietly walk into the shot. Obviously, with wild animals it is veryimportant to keep a safe distance - both for the people and for theanimal. By using a long lens I was able to compress the perspective,pulling the animal and the people closer together in the shot.

To get a good shot was not easy to say the least. It takes time tofind a good potential shot and to get into the right position. Oftenby the time everything was set, the elephant was already starting towalk away or decided to turn around for a nice butt-shot. Weeventually got the 'money shot' not far from our camp. A largeelephant was feeding from a large tree and was not in a hurry to move- I gratefully took advantage of that.

Nikon D3, AF-S VR 200-400/4.0, 1/400 @ f/11, beanbag

I will be hosting a photo tour to Zambia later this year. If you'reinterested in joining us, please have a look at my website.

You certainly delivered what they asked for! South Luangwa is my next destination in up-coming August :-) Regards from Greece, Teo

It's actually quite funny....

I really like the composition and colors here. Looks good, Congrats!

Quite funny indeed!