Michael Snedic, Author at WildNature Photo Expeditions

Observation – The Secret to Capturing Great Wildlife Photos

by Michael Snedic | Jun 5, 2023 | Photographic Techniques Explained

Leopard seal

Observing the individual beforehand is a major part of getting great photos of wildlife behaviour. Animals often behave in similar ways or have a pattern they follow, making it much easier to predict where they might go or what they might do. You can have the settings on your camera set, with your finger on the shutter button, ready to take the shot.

If you have an idea of what kind of animal you plan to photograph, you can read up on common behaviours in advance, which is helpful. However, there is no substitute for observing them at the moment.

In this example of a Leopard Seal in Antarctica, I had been observing it closely as I tracked it with my camera while it was swimming. It would swim for a while, then open its huge jaw briefly before closing it and swimming on. It repeated this pattern a few times, so I knew the chances of the seal opening its jaws again were quite high.

My camera was set up with a single focus point and continuous focus mode (or AI Servo for Canon users). I focused on the seal’s head, then half-depressed the shutter button while tracking the moving subject. When it opened its jaws, I hit the shutter button, which was set to ‘burst’ mode, making sure I captured all of the action.

Of course, it’s always prudent to maintain a safe distance from the animals you are photographing, especially if the animal is a wild predatory animal like a leopard seal. These magnificent creatures of the Antarctic only have two known predators, orcas and sharks, and they tend to be intrigued by humans. However, while you might not be much threat to them, they certainly are to you, so always be alert, minimise your presence (and disturbance) and stay safe.

If you have a passion for African wildlife, nature or travel photography and would love to go on a specialised small-number, professional African photo safari, please get in touch with Michael Snedic at WildNature Photo Expeditions. You can call him on 0408 941 965 or fill in this Contact Form and he will get back to you ASAP.

11 Day Zambia Wildlife Photography Safari

by Michael Snedic | Aug 23, 2022 | Workshops & Tours

Private road transfers to and from properties and airports
2 nights at Lilayi (breakfast included)
Private tour of Lusaka and visit to Elephant Sanctuary
Light aircraft flights to Mfuwe and Livingstone
5 nights Flatdogs in safari tents with all meals, national park fees, private guide and vehicle included for game drives
3 nights at River Farmhouse, Waterberry with all meals, private Tour of Victoria Falls, Rhino walking experience (shared with other guests), sunset cruise, school and village visit included

11 Day Botswana Photography Safari

by Michael Snedic | Aug 22, 2022 | Workshops & Tours

We’ve partnered with arguably the very best mobile safari operator in Botswana to create a true photographic adventure that offers a wonderful close to nature wilderness experience.

Apart form a tailor-made Botswana photography safari, taking you to the most amazing locations and wildlife sightings, Professional and passionate Photographer Michael Snedic will be there throughout the safari to make sure you achieve the best possible images from your safari.

We will seek out elephants, lions, endangered African wild dogs, hippos, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards to name a few. In the Chobe region we photograph from the comfort of boats on ay one and game vehicles throughout. When we move into the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Okavango Delta it’s 4x4 game drives, a walking safari and mokoro.

We’re not providing the most luxurious tents dripping in fancy furnishings. Our ethos is all about the safari experience and guiding. You can expect an exclusive mobile camp and team providing personal service, lovely food and all the creature comforts you need for a great time!

There’s something simplistic about spending time in our own private and small, low impact camp in the heart of Botswana’s wilderness. We photograph wilderness and wildlife at sunrise, day time, sunset and night time. Each evening we will fall asleep to the sound of grunting hippo, roaring lions and under a canopy of stars, but inside your wonderful canvas tent - home for the duration. Our private guide is passionate, knowledgeable and we have him all to ourselves for the entire trip!

We are not bound by the constraints of an organised lodge safari - so there’s greater flexibility in lingering longer at sightings we want to photograph.

Accommodation is in canvas tents with ample standing room, camp beds and mattresses, bed side tables and gauze windows. To the rear of each tent is an open ensuite bathroom with chemical toilet, bucket shower and hot water.

A camp fire area and dining tent are set up for our social area.

We are fortunate to have access to such amazing, photogenic places and we should be using those gifts to help us sell travel, support local communities, and protect the wild spaces and the wondrous inhabitants that mean so much to all of us.

Our team is committed to continuously pushing the envelope, listening to your feedback and responding to your needs.

We hope you will join us on this journey.

Shared road transfer from Kasane airport to accommodation in Kasane.
1 night dinner and breakfast at The Old House with afternoon boating safari (must arrive prior to 3pm)
9 night Exclusive Mobile Camping Photographic Safari adventure staying in spacious and comfortable tented accommodation, including beds, bed linen and towels, with a private ensuite bathroom complete with eco toilet and bucket shower (hot and cold water)
Services of a professional guide, safari chef and camp assistants, complete with a supply vehicle.
Game drives and local transfers in customised safari vehicles.
Exclusive camping in private campsites within the national parks and reserves.
All entrance and camping fees within the national parks and reserves.
All meals and drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, beer, wine and G&T) whilst in camp.

August 6 - 7

Photographic safari activities include game drives, walking safaris, night drives and mokoro excursions. We spend our time between the dry-land habitats of the leadwood and camel-thorn woodlands and savannahs and the riverside and marshy back-waters of the Khwai. Expect to see excellent elephant numbers, lion, leopard, buffalo, red lechwe, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, sable, roan and impala. If we're lucky we may see wild dog and cheetah. Leopard are very elusive. This is a mecca for birding, particularly Bat-Hawks, Cuckoo Hawk, Eagles galore and waterbirds.

August 8 - 11

Today we pack up and game drive to Moremi along the Manuchira Channel. We will weave from the riverside and floodplains into mopane veld and woodlands so it's a truly beautiful scenic day. We pass Dombo Hippo Pools and stop to photograph hippo. Onwards to camp photographing whenever we wish to stop! Moremi Game Reserve

August 9 - 10

Photographic safari in Moremi. Habitats here range from wide-open floodplains, marshes, lagoons, papyrus fringed channels, vast reed-beds of Miscanthus and Phragmites, woodland and savannah. As a result of the extremely variable habitat the diversity of both wildlife and birdlife is excellent.

August 11

Following breakfast and early morning game drive, you'll be transferred to Maun where arrangements end.

11 Day Kimberley Coast Photography Expedition

by Michael Snedic | Jun 13, 2022 | Workshops & Tours

Join pioneering small ship expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions and WildNature Photo Expeditions, on a thrilling in- depth exploration of Australia's world-famous Kimberley Coast. This area is one of the world's most pristine and untouched wildernesses, and you will experience it onboard the luxurious, 140-guest expedition ship Heritage Adventurer, as well as plenty of landings.

Forged by nature and spanning more than 400,000 square kilometres, Western Australia's wild and remote coastline marries a treasure trove of towering, fractured iron-tinged red cliffs, torrential waterfalls, azure waters, hidden coves and caves, secluded white sand beaches, magnificent reefs and rare and endangered wildlife with indigenous customs and connections to an ancient land, and rich history.

Best explored by expedition vessel, our Kimberley cruises allow an up close and intimate exploration and immersion of this rugged wilderness dwarfed by nature on an unfathomable scale. Highlights of our voyage include the unforgettable spectacle of King George Falls cascading 80-metres down 2,000 million-year-old towering cliffs, the outdoor galleries showcasing the 60,000-year-old Aboriginal rock art of the Gwion Gwion and Wandjina people, World War II relics and early explorer history.

At Talbot Bay we will experience the power of the region's massive tidal movements and the world's only Horizontal Falls described by David Attenborough as "one of the greatest wonders of the natural world", and marvel as the world's largest inshore reef system at nearby Montgomery Reef 'rises' out of the water with the falling tide.

Hidden among jagged sandstone monoliths, the final resting place of the remarkably preserved skeleton of a WWII Douglas DC-3 Aircraft awaits discovery at Vansittart Bay, while a glimpse into Australian colonial history can be found carved into the trunk of the centuries old Mermaid Boab Tree at Careening Bay. Enjoy astounding wildlife encounters and observations from the region's iconic saltwater crocodiles through to the birding paradise of the Lacepede Islands and one of the world's largest and most pristine mangrove systems along the Hunter River home to White-bellied Sea Eagle, Osprey, Red-headed Honeyeater, Blue- spotted Mudskippers, Fiddler Crabs and more.

Discover an ancient landscape like no other as we expedition cruise the untouched beauty of Australia's iconic Kimberley and experience the truly epic scale of this magnificent region by ship and Zodiac on this unforgettable Australian adventure.

We will have a maximum of 8 photographers on this expedition, led by professional nature photographer and tutor, Michael Snedic

Photographers of all experience levels are welcome. Michael will be guiding you and supporting your photography during the expedition. Not just in taking photographs in the field, but also in reviewing and refining your photos along the way.

On this expedition, Michael Snedic is there to help you photograph the stunning scenery and wildlife we will encounter. He will be conducting a series of classes throughout the voyage, as well as being on-hand throughout the outings.

As well as being a professional wildlife and nature photographer, Michael is an experienced photographic tutor (21 years). He is an experienced (31 years) and widely published wildlife and nature photographer and writer. Michael's articles and images have featured in many magazines, calendars, diaries, books, brochures, billboards and many other publications, across Australia and the world.

He is the author of two books on Australian wildlife, and is a Nikon School tutor for Australia. Michael regularly presents audio-visual presentations at photographic organisations, and has been conducting photography workshops and tours across Australia for many years. He also conducts photography tours across Australia and the world. Michael loves sharing his photographic knowledge and passion with workshop participants, helping them improve their photographic skills.

Anyone in normal good health can join us on this adventure. There are no special fitness requirements, although we will be often climbing into and out of the inflatable Zodiac boats, and walking on shore. Out on the ocean and exposed to the elements it can get quite cold. But it is summer and at times in the sun it can be quite warm.
The ship has a doctor and basic medical facilities on board. If you have specific health concerns or dietary requirements the staff at Heritage will be able to advise you. There’s also a gym on board if you feel the need to get extra workouts. Actually, with the excellent meals provided on these trips it’s not hard to put weight on, so some people like this option.

CABIN CATEGORY	DISCOUNTED RICE PER PERSON
Main Deck Triple	$US7750 - NOW $US6316
Superior Deck 4	$US9800 - NOW $US7956
Superior Deck 5	$US10 250 - NOW $US8316
Main Deck Single	$US12700 - NOW $US10276
Superior Single	$US13300 - NOW $10756
Worsley Suite	$US13300 - NOW $US10756
Heritage Suite:	$US16800 - NOW $US13556

12 Day Japan Islands Photography Expedition

by Michael Snedic | Jun 7, 2022 | Workshops & Tours

During our exploration of Nagasaki we will gain further insight into its World War II history as well as its role in international trade during the isolation period, while a visit to Northern Kyushu and the vibrant city of Fukuoka will have options to visit its many highlights including Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine which dates back to the 16th Century. We will also spend a day in South Korea’s Ulsan exploring UNESCO World Heritage Site Gyeongju - the ‘museum without walls’ and visiting the Haeinsa Temple, considered one of the three great temples in South Korea.

Helping us understand all we will see and experience, and travelling with us throughout the voyage, will be our expert Guest Speakers and Japanese guides who will add immeasurably to your enjoyment and understanding of this captivating country. Note: Voyage HA250424 operates in reverse, embarking in Osaka and disembarking in Kanazawa with a transfer to Tokyo.

On this expedition you will have access every day to a professional nature photographer and instructor. Michael is there to help you photograph the stunning scenery, wildlife and culture we will encounter. Michael will be conducting a series of classes throughout the voyage, as well as being on-hand throughout the outings.

Michael is a professional wildlife and nature photographer and an experienced photographic tutor (20 years.) He has been photographing wildlife and nature for 28 years and is widely published writer. His articles and images have featured in magazines, calendars, diaries, books, brochures, billboards and many other publications, across Australia and the world.

He is the author of two books on Australian wildlife, and is a Nikon School tutor in Queensland, Australia. Michael regularly presents audio-visual presentations at photographic organisations, and has been conducting photography workshops and tours across Australia and overseas for many years. Michael loves sharing his photographic knowledge and passion with workshop participants, helping them improve their photographic skills.

Anyone in normal good health can join us on this adventure. There are no special fitness requirements, although we will be often climbing into and out of the inflatable Zodiac boats, and walking on shore. Out on the ocean and exposed to the elements it can get quite cold. But it is summer and at times in the sun it can be quite warm.
The ship has a doctor and basic medical facilities on board. If you have specific health concerns or dietary requirements the staff at Heritage will be able to advise you. There’s also a gym on board if you feel the need to get extra workouts. Actually, with the excellent meals provided on these trips it’s not hard to put weight on, so some people like this option.

Main Deck Triple	$13 462
Superior Triple	$13 714
Superior Deck 4	$15 042
Superior Deck 5	$15 960
Main deck Single	$17 954
Superior Single	$19 132
Worsley Suite	$20 262
Heritage Suite:	$24 087

Observation – The Secret to Capturing Great Wildlife Photos

11 Day Zambia Wildlife Photography Safari

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Your  photography  leader and tutor - Michael Snedic

Your  photography  leader and tutor - Michael Snedic