As you visually capture the moments in Africa, these moments and encounters could be lost forever. An interview with David Batzofin, a writer and photographer.
A Writer, Broadcaster and Photographer
“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” – Karl Lagerfeld
Cell phones today are remarkable, but if venturing to the Kruger National Park or other game reserves in South Africa, a cell phone is just not enough! To discover how absolutely life-changing an experience in the Kruger National Park can be, read through my other articles. Birds & Other Wildlife to view in Kruger National Park, Finest Big 5 to spot in the Kruger National Park and Tips to know before you visit Kruger National Park.
David took this herd of elephants in Madikwe Game Reserve
As a senior, we dream with new eyes and see with new vision! We want to be able to share our occurrences and happenings with those we love, imparting the greatest reality of our vacation.
David Batzofin was and is my inspiration! He created in me a passion for taking photographs and an understanding of seeing through a lens. I am still an absolute novice, have my 50 x HD camera, and have all the passion in the world! If you “feel” the photos you take, others can feel the moment too. I have asked David to share some of his expertise with us so you too can benefit.
| 1. So David, how long have you been a wildlife photographer and travel blogger?. |
| I have been a wildlife photographer for the past 25 years and a Blogger for eleven. That being said, my interest in photography started in 1974 and has been a constant hobby until I started to concentrate on wildlife back in 1996. |
| 2. What was your initial inspiration? |
| Not what, who! My original inspiration for photography was my optician in Port Elizabeth, Barrie Wilkins, who was an internationally renowned, award-winning wildlife photographer. Along the way, there have been others that I have learned from, like Grant Atkinson, Michael Tucker, Janet Kleyn and Roger de la Harpe |
| 3. When did you purchase your first camera? |
| It must have been in the early ‘70s and it was a Kodak Instamatic (which is on a shelf in my office) |
| 4. Which SLR camera was your first purchase? |
| My first SLR was a Pentax Spotmatic F (which I still have and it is still in working condition, 46 years later.) |
| 5. Which camera do you have now? |
| I have remained brand loyal and I currently shoot with a variety of Pentax bodies and lenses. |
| 6. Why? |
| This is always a difficult question when it comes to camera choices. I suppose the short answer is familiarity. Although there are so many choices to make it confusing, it has been me to remain with a brand that I feel comfortable with. |
| 7. What is the difference between an SLR (single-lens reflex camera) and a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera)? |
| The SLR was an analogue film camera, while the DSLR is similar externally, but uses a memory card and is digital. Very few people currently utilize an SLR, for a variety of reasons. |
Hyena at Kruger National Park
8. The traveller, an amateur photographer might want to:
| 8a. Take close-up shots from a distance. |
| If this is your objective, then a mobile phone is NOT an option. You can get a bridge camera (like the Canon Powershot) that has a built-in digital zoom capability which will resolve this shooting scenario. But bear in mind that even if says that it has a 50x Zoom using it at full extension becomes difficult to do without it being stable. |
| 8b. Video with voice recording. |
| You can use a mobile phone for this. You can always purchase a compact handle that will aid with keeping it steady. The mirrorless camera brands like Sony and Fuji are known for great video capability. |
| 8c. Morning, evening or night shots. |
| Any brand of camera and even a mobile phone will be suitable. |
| 8d. Long battery life while out on a game drive. |
| Most game drives only last 3 hours and if you have a fully charged battery you will not have an issue. Personally, I always have spare batteries in my camera bag and a Powerbank to recharge my mobile phone. |
| 8e. The need to have to take a tripod. |
| There are compact tripods that are lightweight and can easily be stored in a suitcase or camera bag. |
| 9. Which make of camera and type would you recommend? |
| There are several factors that influence this choice, and given the current cost of digital cameras, budget is often a constraint. The camera body that you buy does not have to be top of the range, but try to buy the best that your budget will allow. Where you need to spend your money is on the best and fastest lenses that you can afford. The quality of your lens will determine the end product that you produce. Bottom line is, to do your research and visit a specialist camera shop to get expert, unbiased, information about the various brands on offer. As I mentioned, it is the lens that does all the work. My go-to lens is the Sigma 50-500mm, which allows a wide range of options. I also usually carry a 10-20mm wide-angle lens and sometimes a 560mm ‘specialist’ lens for bird photography |
| 10. Briefly explain how a photograph should be taken. |
| This is almost as difficult to respond to as “How long is a piece of string”? When it comes to taking pictures, you as the photographer need to be able to tell a story based on a single image. The image is a visual representation of how you felt at the moment you snapped it and it, therefore, has to communicate your feeling and emotions in a way that the viewer will be able to understand without a narrated commentary. |
| 11. Things to watch out for? |
| The short answer? Distracting backgrounds and images that are cluttered. If you are taking landscape pictures that include the horizon, make certain that it is level, a lesson that I learned early in my photographic career. But that was back in the day of SLR film cameras that did not have built-in spirit levels or software that made certain the horizontal was exactly that…horizontal. |
| 12. Any other advice you can share with us? |
| Shoot, shoot, shoot! Digital allows you to overshoot scenes without having the expense of having to develop pictures that will just end up being thrown away. Change settings and play with your camera in order to learn what it can and cannot do. Your camera should not be an extension of your arm; it should be seen as part of it. When it comes to accessories, it is always better to have and not need, than to need and not have. Make certain that you have your battery chargers, power cords, extension leads etc., as planning can all save hours of hunting at your destination for that one item that you left at home. |
| 13. I read your blog regularly. You were the 2019 South African Blog Award Winner. |
| I was a runner-up for 6 years and then finally the win! It was the culmination of a decade of persistence and hard work. It seems as if COVID -19 put paid to the 2020 competition, so for now, I will just retain the title. |
Lioness with her cubs – taken by David at Thornybush Luxury Game Lodge
Have a look at David Batzofin’s blog. He has most certainly captured the moments and has been to numerous destinations! Travel and Things
| If my readers have any further questions on the cameras they would like to purchase, can they get hold of you directly? |
| They can contact me at [email protected] |
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