In order to get great images most photographers are required to spend a great deal of time getting to know their cameras, learning to understand light, glueing their eyes to their view finders or hunkering down over bean bags building the muscle to manage a heavy lens. These cameras can allow one to capture amazing images and can provide a huge amount of joy but let’s be honest, they can also be frustrating and impractical to manage at times. On the other hand, there are those photographers that rely solely on an iPhone, and whilst you desperately attempt to manage your settings in order to capture the sunset, their smart phone delivers the best result with zero fuss. I wouldn’t say that one is better than the other because personally I like to use both, each serving a purpose when the time is right. But because we dedicate almost every blog to the bigger camera, I’ve decided to give the underdogs a chance. These are all unedited iPhone photographs taken on the fly that may not have been captured otherwise. Personally my favourite is Nick Simms’ photograph of the ostrich ‘photo-bombing’ the cheetah (or is it the cheetah ‘photo-bombing’ the ostrich?).
Either way, enjoy a day in the life of Londolozi staff, compliments of the iPhone…
Londolozi trackers wait for guests under the shade of the Jackalberry tree in Varty Camp. Photograph by Amanda Ritchie
Two white rhinos drink from a pan in the south of Londolozi. Photograph by James Tyrrell
The Mashaba female leopard feeds on a kill as Nick Kleer and his guests look on. Photograph by James Tyrrell
The female ostrich ‘photo bombs’ a male cheetah or is it vice versa? Photograph by Nick Simms
Callum Gowar, Freddy Ngobeni and guests look on as the Tsalala Pride play in the boughs of a Jackalberry Tree. It may be hard to spot them at first but look carefully and you should be able to see two lions on the thickest part of the tree trunk. Photograph by Sean Cresswell
The remains of a Helmeted guineafowl that had been hunted by an African hawk-eagle. These raptors hunt as pairs and prey on game birds in particular. Photograph by James Tyrrell
As the dry conditions persist, the pans continue to shrink leaving this hard, caked mud in its place. A tiny bit of green bursts through, however, as promise of things to come. Photograph by Kevin Power
Rob Hletswayo, affectionately referred to as Prof, enjoys a cold morning out on Londolozi. Regardless of conditions, this man always has a smile on his face. Photograph by Sean Cresswell
Rangers and a few other staff gather around to listen to a presentation from one of our trainee rangers. Despite the busyness of the lodge environment, there is always a moment spare for some learning. Photograph by Amanda Ritchie
Simon Sambo wraps up an uninjured Alfred Mathebula during our latest First Aid training course. Despite his supposed injuries, Alfie remains in high spirits. Photograph by Amy Attenborough
Alfred Mathebula and Ntsako Sibuyi celebrate the creative use of their First Aid skills. Photograph by Amy Attenborough
Rangers take the opportunity to head out into the bush for a long walk on a free afternoon. Photograph by Sean Cresswell
Jacqui Hemphill, Londolozi’s Sales Manager, leaves the comfort of the vehicle and gets low to photograph a beautiful impala lily amidst the dry Lowveld bush. Photograph by James Tyrrell
The Sand River a few months ago. Despite having had below average rainfall during the summer months, the river was still much higher and greener than it is now. Photograph by Amy Attenborough
A few Londolozi staff take advantage of a beautiful Private Granite Suite pool when unoccupied by guests. Photograph by Amy Attenborough
Josh Attenborough, Sam Shriver and Andrea Campbell investigate a strangler fig in the southern reaches of Londolozi. Photograph by Amy Attenborough
The Mashaba female rests in a large Marula tree. Photograph by Sean Cresswell
The female ostrich peers inquisitively into the vehicle. Photograph by Kevin Power
Photographic Twister. Amy Attenborough and James Tyrrell squash themselves awkwardly into the corner of their vehicle in order to photograph a leopard in the tree next to them. Photograph by Sam Shriver
The Mashaba female leopard rests in the large Sausage Tree close to Pioneer Camp. James had been waiting many years to see a leopard in this particularly iconic tree. Photograph by James Tyrrell
A group of Londolozi staff prepare a drinks stop for some of our guests, backlit by gorgeous winter afternoon light. Photograph by Amy Attenborough
A group of staff enjoy a cold beverage at one of the crossings of the Sand River. Photograph by David Dampier
Good company, cold beers, a braai (South African version of a barbecue) and some long-exposure photography. The perfect way to end of a day on Londolozi. Photograph by David Dampier
A gorgeous sunset, G&T in hand. Photograph by Kevin Power
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It seems to me that the rangers have a favourite animal – the ostrich
Thanks for another great blog. In almost 20 years of going on safari, it has been fascinating to watch the transition of cameras used by guests . . . with so many using iPhones and iPads exclusively.
Amy, Thanks for the encouragement for using the iPhone! Panorama’s are so awesome on it too! Can’t wait to get my hands on the new iPhone 7 with new lenses! See you next June!
We were there when Nick took the ostrich/cheetah photo. Trust me, the ostrich was the photo bomber!
Gee these photos make me want to give up my heavy handheld camera. I’m impressed.
Wow, all fantastic pictures Amy! It’s really great what can be captured with an iPhone!