Merry Christmas to you too.

Leave the polarizer on during daylight hours. It is amazing how they eliminate glare, and enhance the clouds and sky.

As far as getting good hunting photos, there are a few, very basic things to remember. First, on your trophy photos, fill the frame with the subject, and use your flash to eliminate shadows and bring out highlights.

Second, learn the rule of "thirds". On most general, and scenic shots, imagine your viewfinder as having 2 verticle, and 2 horizontal lines in it, just like a game of tic tac toe.This would divide your viewfinder, and of course, your photo into 9 equal blocks. Don't center your subject in the middle of the viewfinder, but rather place your subject where the left or right lines would intersect. Practice with a few rolls of film at home, and you'll see a hugh difference in you pictures. It will change the ordinary snap shots into dramatic ones you'll be proud to show.

Take your digital along with you too. They're great for spur of the moment shots when you need something shot quickly.

I will be hunting Namibia in June, and would like to hear your comments on which camera equiptment to bring.
I have the following:
Canon rebel 2000, with zoom lense
Sony digital camera
Crappy video camera
I plan on taking all three, but I barely know how to operate them! Joking aside, I use the auto feature and shoot away.
What do you recommend, since I have to come home with some nice photo's. Thanks Wolf

For your Canon, I would invest in 2 lenses. I love my Canon 28-135 IS lens, and also the Tamron 28-300. Both are excellent lenses. Also invest in polarizer filters for both lenses, as well as your video camera. You won't regret it.

Wolfgar, sorry I didn't reply sooner, but I don't visit this forum too often.

Leave the polarizer on during daylight hours, and for shots around the campfire, or indoors, take it off.

If your digital camera is a compact model, I'd take it.

In the past, I always took my 35mm cameras and a video camera. This year, I'm leaving the video at home.

Last week I bought a new digital camera: the Canon Digital Rebel XT with the silver body. I like the fact that I can use all the lenses from my Canon 35mm cameras. It's an 8 MP model, shoots 3 fps, has 7 point auto focus, pop up flash and a hot shoe, and can be used in either full auto (7 modes), or full manual. In my preliminary test with it, I find it to be an unbelievable camera.

Mike, thanks....believe it or not, I do have the same Tamron lense as well as a polarizing filter. Do I leave the filter on all the time? Should I leave it on auto and just shoot away. I know I should take a class or something, but I just can't find the time lately. My hunting pictures usually suck! Should I leave the digital home? Hope you had a merry X-mass

Camera equipment for a Namibia tour.
I have bin inn Namibia on 3 tours.
Hunting and holydays after the hunt.
It is hard to use video camera - normal camera and a digital camera in the same time and also go hunting – decide what to do, - photo ore killing.
But if I was going to Namibia again, my photo gear will be.
Digital camera and my Laptop.
2 camera, one SLR body and one point and shoot body , 3 lenses ,a flash and a lot of ram card,(- if not bringing a laptop) ,- at least 2 cards on minimum 512 Mb each.
The lenses will be :
1. 16-35 mm zoom
2. 70-200mm zoom
3. 300mm and a good 2x extender
A one leg tripod is also very usefull to a video camera if you bring a video camera to.
The same is a good bag of rice
If shooting analog camera (film), - the same lenses
A lot of film100, 200 and some few 800iso.
Picks and video from my tour to Namibia on this link
www.photokirk.com

Have a nice tour and hunt safe
Wisent

Pictures of hunting trophies seem to look better when taken with a very wide angle lens from a low angle. This exagerates the object in the foreground and of course makes the trophy look more impressive. I like a 20mm fixed on my Nikons. Do not use a polarizer on a lens this wide as you will get uneven polarizing from one end of the picture to the other. A Skylight may be used however and this will warm up a slightly cloudy day, otherwise the standard UV filter. Since you will be shooting from very close up there won't be much sky in a good trophy photo. A fill-in flash is a great tool if you know how to use it and you are a in lighting situation with either to little light or very strong shadows that need lighting.



This is with a 35mm/f2.0 Nikkor fixed power and a little too much fill-in flash but it gives your the idea.

Here is a picture taken with a 20mm from a low angle.



Makes those tusks look really big.

Sorry about the double Kudu post. Here's a second try with the warthog.