There is a camera community that revolves around big lenses, high f-stops and big glass. The latest camera body and the most advanced sensors, high ISO capability and frames per second. There are also travellers, that choose to come without the equipment, their only source of memory storage lies within their mind and mainly in their phones. The iPhone has revolutionised the industry and has given power to those who are not interested in massive lenses and expensive camera bodies. I have always used my iPhone to take photographs of wildlife to send to friends and family. But I never really thought it would become more than that, until I experienced something that would change my view completely, and now hopefully yours.
I am in the process of trying to upgrade my camera set up, and in order to do this I had to trade in my body and fund the new one. This left me camera-less for more than two weeks. An extremely tough time for me as I thought I now had no way in which I could capture and share or save these amazing things I was seeing. What I didn’t realise at the time was that my iPhone had snuck onto the scene without me being consciously aware of what it would produce. This became my mode of capturing what was in front of me. For two weeks I used it almost everyday in the bush to capture some of the beauty that surrounds us each day.
If you are travelling to Londolozi and you only have your iPhone, do not fear, there is hope and there is the possibility of capturing moments that you will cherish. Over the past few weeks I have done an experiment with my iPhone and how well it can convey an experience in the bush, with wildlife, lodge life and sunrises and sunsets of course.
There are many new gadgets available online that will connect to your iPhone, such as filters, telephoto lenses, fish eye lenses and even macro lenses. Go online and google iPhone Camera Accessories and the list is endless and inexpensive.
So if you are coming to visit and you only have your phone, there is hope. Just remember to put it on silent!
A big elephant bull crosses a large clearing on Marthly.
A buffalo bull in Camp Dam.
Sparta pride drink after a big meal.
The Vomba young male.
An impressive set of tusks on this young bull.
A small crocodile we found late one evening.
The Tutlwa young male through my binoculars.
Some beautiful panoramic views in the open areas.
Winnis Wallow at a morning coffee stop.
Some beautiful winter sunsets.
Life in the staff village.
A big bull after a mud bath.
One of the best sightings I have had in a while, with a good friend and guest Rob Curtis.
A pack of wild dogs on a beautiful morning.
Sparta pride approaches through a clearing.
The Tsalala pride in the Manyelethi.
Spending time with these amazing animals is a privilege.
Sunset in the bush.
Varty Camp Deck.
This female elephant made an extremely close approach.
The Leadwood forest in the north.
Photo of a photo.
A sunrise from Ximpalapala koppie.
The Manyelethi river.
Winter approaches and the pans begin to dry and crack.
Founders Camp Deck.
Londolozi Varty Camp entrance.
Let me know what you think of these ‘mobile’ images and if there are any that stand out for you. If you are visiting or have visited Londolozi and use Instagram, be sure to add #londolozi to any of your photographs taken during your stay. Your Instagrams will be featured on the home page of our blog’s #Londolozi Instagram collection:
Written and Photographed (with an iPhone) by: Mike Sutherland
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without a doubt my favourite blog to date 🙂 maybe it’s because I don’t own a camera or because I actually proudly own an iPhone OR maybe its just because regardless of what device you use mike suth you just somehow seem to always get it right! These photos look like they were taken from the real deal-Well done. your landscape photos are my favourite 🙂
A great read!
Cath, i think it is the latter. Such a talented photographer, whether behind a fancy lens or an iPhone.
Thank you.
Excellent images Mike, you have shown that you do not need the best and most high end equipment to capture stunning wildlife images.
Awesome, Mike! Of course I love the mud pic – genuis ha ha. Hope to see you next year when I return!
Mike, this is very exciting! I got on the Optix Web site and bought the lens package for my iPhone and can’t wait to try it in a few weeks! Thank you!