Capturing The Wild Eye

Gerry’s devotion to photography shines through his work. His mission extends beyond capturing stunning images; he strives to cultivate a lasting consciousness of our planet’s natural legacy. Gerry’s journey not only involves crafting remarkable visuals but also conceptualizing and hosting transformative Wild Eye safaris. These ventures grant him the privilege of traversing the globe’s pristine wilderness, forging connections with fellow adventurers, and empowering them to chronicle their own odysseys.

What equipment and gear do you consider essential for an amateur wildlife photographer?

Typically, when someone asks this question, I usually start by inquiring about their budget and then proceed from there. However, there are some key items to consider for individuals just starting out. One of the primary lenses that many wildlife photographers opt for is the 70-300mm lens. This lens offers a considerable amount of versatility, allowing you to zoom in and out effectively. For beginners, this lens often serves as a foundation for building their skills. As you progress, you might consider expanding to lenses in the 400-600mm range, which offers even greater zoom capabilities.

One lens that I believe every wildlife photographer, regardless of whether they are a professional or an amateur, should have is the 70-200mm f/2.8. This lens boasts incredibly fast focusing capabilities and is equipped with a 2.8 aperture, allowing for quality low-light performance. Moreover, you can enhance its reach through the use of converters, effectively transforming it into an extended-range lens.

In terms of cameras, there is a wide range of options available from various brands such as Sony, Nikon, and Canon. These brands have become quite comparable in recent times.

When it comes to lenses, my suggestion is to aim for the 70200mm f/2.8 if it falls within your budget. Alternatively, lenses in the 70-300mm or 100-400mm range would also provide a solid starting point for enthusiastic beginners.

In terms of cameras, there is a wide range of options available from various brands such as Sony, Nikon, and Canon. These brands have become quite comparable in recent times.

Wildlife conservation is often closely intertwined with wildlife photography. How do you ensure that your work does not disturb or harm the animals that you and your clients are photographing?

Certainly, ensuring the well-being of the animals we photograph is of paramount importance. At our organization, Wild Eye, we have worked diligently to establish a reputation for ethical and responsible practices, largely facilitated by our online presence. As wildlife photographers, our objective revolves around capturing animals in their natural habitat, engaged in their usual behaviours, irrespective of our presence.

A significant number of animals that we encounter are accustomed to the presence of vehicles, as long as we maintain a reasonable distance. It is our guiding principle that any alteration in an animal’s behaviour signifies a failure on our part. We have, on multiple occasions, encountered scenarios where we inadvertently caused distress to animals, such as a sudden loud noise startling a lion. In such cases, we promptly withdraw from the situation to avoid disrupting the animals further. This approach extends to game viewing as well: our aim is to observe and document animals without influencing or modifying their behaviours.

Our team of guides, all of whom possess substantial experience and qualifications in the field, are attuned to animal behaviour cues. We are committed to preventing any undue stress or disruption to animals, as no photograph is worth compromising their well-being.

Moving on, which destinations or wildlife reserves do you consider the most desirable for capturing a wide array of wildlife, and what motivates your selections?

From a personal standpoint, Svalbard stands out as my favourite destination by a considerable margin. Situated at 80 degrees north at the North Pole, Svalbard offers opportunities to photograph polar bears, arctic foxes, reindeer, and walrus. If I were to choose only one trip annually, Svalbard would be my top choice. The experience is akin to stepping into a cinematic masterpiece.

In Africa, destinations such as the Masai Mara hold immense appeal due to their remarkable biodiversity. While each offers a distinct environment, the animals observed are similar. However, Svalbard holds a unique allure due to its distinctiveness. In cases where the focus is on gorilla sightings, other considerations come into play.

When advising on travel plans, it is essential to gauge expectations. Are individuals seeking close encounters on foot or from a vehicle? Are they primarily interested in observing wildlife, or is capturing close-up shots a priority? Locations such as Southern Africa provide opportunities for closer encounters, whereas East Africa demands larger lenses for wildlife photography but offers stunning landscapes.

In essence, when recommending destinations, we tailor our advice to individual expectations. For a newcomer to safaris, options like South Africa’s Sabi Sabi or the Masai Mara offer differing yet captivating experiences. For those seeking a 2024 trip, understanding their desired encounter and level of engagement is key to making a suitable recommendation.

Lastly, how do you leverage social media and online platforms to showcase your photography and engage with your audience?

The emergence of social media, especially Instagram and its Stories feature, has significantly transformed our outreach efforts. Being early adopters of Stories has enabled us to share real-time experiences, thereby capturing the attention of a global audience, particularly from the United States. Our approach revolves around two primary objectives: entertainment and education.

Entertainment entails sharing captivating moments, such as a male lion traversing the African plains. On the other hand, education involves delving into the mechanics of events like the great migration, enriching our followers’ understanding. By oscillating between these two approaches, we endeavour to provide a balanced and engaging experience.

Our strategy extends beyond wildlife imagery to encompass the entire experience. While a striking lion photograph may resonate with some, depicting clients interacting with the environment or wildlife fosters a broader connection. This inclusive approach enhances the relatability of our content, making it accessible to a wider audience.

In essence, our social media strategy remains an integral facet of our marketing endeavours. The careful blend of entertainment, education, and sharing holistic experiences has contributed to our success in engaging and resonating with our audience.

Website: www.wild-eye.com

When advising on travel plans, it is essential to gauge expectations. Are individuals seeking close encounters on foot or from a vehicle?

Selected by NICK GAERTNER

Directors Choice

Mouille Point

An exceptional lifestyle awaits the discerning investor in one of Cape Town’s Blue Flag Marina complexes. Located within a beautiful setting and close to world class beaches, restaurants and lifestyle amenities.

R14,750,000 VIEW

Sea Point

Large, bright and secure. A move-in ready apartment that offers space and good location. This small yet well-maintained block is centrally located to Main Road, High Level Road and the popular Sea Point Promenade.

R3,895,000

Green Point

Located on the fifth floor this delightful, bright and modern corner apartment is located in close proximity to the V&A Waterfront, De Waterkant, Green Point Stadium and other surrounding attractions.

R3,495,000

Bantry Bay

Fabulous one bedroom apartment situated in a contemporary block in Bantry Bay. This unit is ideally located for access to the Sea Point restaurants, shops and promenade.

R3,250,000

Fresnaye

This lovely garden apartment is a great investment. It is located in a desirable and well-maintained complex in the heart of Fresnaye, close to cafes, restaurants, shops, the Promenade, and the MyCiti bus route.

R2,612,000

Mouille Point

This fourth-floor apartment with stunning Atlantic Seaboard views is a great investment opportunity. It’s located just a short walk from the V&A Waterfront and offers plenty of space for living and entertaining.

R3,250,000

VIEW NOW

VIEW NOW

Sea Point

This secure independent living complex for the over 50s offers excellent value in a great location. It is just a short walk to the Sea Point Promenade, Green Point Urban Park, and a wide range of amenities.

R1,900,000

VIEW NOW

Bantry Bay

Situated at one of Cape Town’s prestigious addresses, this penthouse offers incredible views. Furnished, the property is available from 01 August 2023 for 12 months but is unavailable from 15 December 2023 to 10 January 2024.

R110,00 pm

Located

R14,500 pm