The lowdown on little creatures
Take the shot before the critter scurries away.
If possible get down low and shoot from their level.
Get down to the level of a small animal when you’re shooting it. And no, you don’t have to climb the camelthorn tree to snap that lappet-faced vulture eye-to-eye! Let’s look at these great shots of a yellow mongoose sent in by reader Paul Burden.
From above
It’s easy to do this when you’re close to the animal. It’s not really a mistake – it’s simply the simplest way to take the photo, as you’re usually standing and the animal is down there on the ground somewhere. Take your first few shots like this so that you at least have something in case the critter scurries off.
Get down
Paul shot this picture in the Kgalagadi at the Kalahari Tented Camp. He was at the braai when the mongoose approached and lay down. He got down onto the ground to get this picture.
By being at eye level with the mongoose, the image immediately has more impact. Just don’t try this with a snake!
Drive-thru
Usually you’re not allowed to get out of your car while you’re driving around a game reserve. Wait until the animal is 20 or 30 m from the car and then zoom in on it.
In the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park the roads are quite deeply rutted, so it’s often possible to be at eye level with a small animal if it’s close to the road.
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