Wilderness Photography Course

about the school

Operating for 24 years, EcoTraining is the pioneer and leader in safari guide and wildlife training in Africa. EcoTraining is widely recognised by the safari industry for its credibility and standard of excellence in nature guide training. We offer accredited career courses, gap year and sabbatical programmes, nature programmes, high school and university study abroad programmes, custom courses and on-site professional guide training at safari lodges. All courses are run directly from EcoTraining’s unfenced bush camps in prime wilderness areas across South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe. To date EcoTraining has trained over 11 000 people from 33 different countries around the world.

course content

What does the course consist of?

Module 1: Understanding exposure

• A practical understanding of exposure
• How to use camera settings to achieve and change exposure
• How to setup a camera for wildlife photography
• Creative use of shutter speed, ISO and aperture

Module 2: Composition

• Introduction to creative compositions
• Understanding of compositional techniques and tools
• Creating a visual flow
• Creating points of interest and balance

Module 3: Understanding light

• To introduce a photographer/guide to African light
• Light direction, time of day and white balance
• Provide a good foundation of light skills and knowledge to guide photographers
• Understand the types of light and lighting

Module 4: Photographic guiding skills

• Your role as a photographic guide
• Communication
• Positioning photographers in the field
• What wildlife and nature photographers want to photograph
• Interactive photography

Module 5: Editing images and social media

• Introduction to Adobe Light Room
• Import to export
• Develop module
• Blogging and social media

start dates

camps

The sleeping arrangements at all our camps consist of two people sharing per tent. Single requests are required to pay double-rates. Women and men do not share tents unless booked as a couple.

Meals

• Early morning wake-up (tea, coffee, biscuits, fresh fruit and cereal)
• Brunch after activity (cooked breakfast and fruit salad)
• Afternoon tea (light lunch/ sandwiches)
• Dinner (balanced, warm plated meal with meat, vegetables and salad)

The Birding in the Bush course takes place in Makuleke.

Important to Bring

 Camera Equipment
 Your camera – DSLR preferred, but any camera will a Manual option will work
 Lenses – wide angle, standard zoom and if possible a Telephoto zoom of around 300mm
 Any other camera accessories you may wish to use
 Camera instruction manual
 Memory cards and card reader
 Flash if you have one
 Good sturdy tripod
 Beanbag – you can make your own beanbag by filling three quarters of a cloth bank bag with rice
 Laptop if available – but not necessary

It is not necessary to have big telephoto lenses and fancy equipment. Please bring whatever equipment you own and we will structure the workshop around the type of equipment you have.

Makuleke

transfers

Scheduled Bush Bus Transfers

There will always be a scheduled transfer for the start and the end of all EcoTraining courses. These transfers come at an additional rate.

Departure from Johannesburg (1st day of course)

All EcoTraining scheduled Bush Bus transfers will depart from the Emerald Guesthouse on the first day of a course. The departure time is strictly 7am from the Emerald Guesthouse. Please arrive at departure point no later than 15 minutes prior to departure.

Participants flying into Johannesburg (international and domestic) are advised to arrive the day before and overnight at Emerald Guesthouse to ensure all passengers are on time for departure and the bus leaves as scheduled. Please book directly with Emerald Guesthouse on info@emeraldguesthouse.net.

The guesthouse is within close proximity to OR Tambo International Airport and if supplied with your flight details, will collect you at no additional charge. They offer a range of accommodation options, to suit your individual requirements and budget. As the Bush Bus departs early morning from Emerald, overnighting at the guesthouse will help simplify your departure.

Drive time (from the relevant EcoTraining Camp):

• From Selati or Karongwe: approx. 5 hours
• From Botswana: approx. 7 hours
• From the Makuleke Concession (Kruger National Park): approx. 7 hours

Departure from Camp (Last day of course)

All EcoTraining scheduled BushBus transfers will depart from the relevant EcoTraining camp on the last day of a course. The departure transfer time is strictly 8am from all camps.

Please expect a late afternoon arrival back in Johannesburg. Drop off can be arranged at OR Tambo International Airport or Emerald Guesthouse only. Please book late evening flights (preferably 20h00 and onwards). Alternatively, please arrange post course accommodation at Emerald Guesthouse.

qualifications

price

Price 2024

ZAR 28.510,00 per person

Price 2025

ZAR 30.220,00 per person

*Please note that the official price for this course is in ZAR as above. Any other currency price for this tour is merely indicative. The ZAR price will be converted to your preferred currency using the exchange rate on the date of invoice.

Price includes:

• Accommodation (sharing)
• Full meals
• Tea/coffee
• Instructors and Training
• Bush walks
• Open vehicle drives and specialist trainer/s.

Price excludes:

• Transfers/transport to and from the camp, before and after the course
• Any accommodation before and after the course
• Beverages (beer, ciders, bottled water)
• Kruger National Park entrance fee (only applicable if the course is at the Kruger Makuleke camp)