What clothing should be worn for wildlife photo expedition?

5 years 2 months ago #629674 by Justin
I've been invited by a friend of a friend onto a wildlife photo expedition and I'm trying to figure out if I should be full camouflaged, combat boots and face mask?   Seriously I'm not sure what to wear, and the person who invited me has flown back over to a home he has in Africa to fix something that has gone wrong, he isn't expected back till tomorrow night and we all are supposed to meet up on Saturday morning.  

I know this group is a hard core wildlife group.  They fly all over the world and they get some bad a$$ shots of animals that you would swear were feet away from the animals.  

I just don't want to be an odd one, and frankly didn't think about clothing when I was invited.  

Very nice to meet you!
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5 years 2 months ago #629683 by GaryA
Khaki/olive drab and various shades of same. Dress for the weather, but in khaki from hat to shoes.  If they're hard core then they would likely have camo for the equipment. Don't worry about the small stuff ... like face mask.  Take a olive drab bandana to drape across your equipment or face if necessary.  I suspect, if they are hard core, that they would have extra stuff for you to use.  As for boots, I would be reluctant to get new boots because if they're leather and not broken in, they would create more hardship than good.  

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

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5 years 2 months ago #629686 by GaryA
PS- No white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day.

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

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5 years 2 months ago #629768 by Justin
OK, good and I have a nice old pair of leather boots that are nearly 4 years old.  That will work.  I didn't want to show up looking like Rambo when everyone else is looking like Steve Erwin!  

Very nice to meet you!
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5 years 2 months ago #629855 by GaryA
Good point.  :)

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

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5 years 2 months ago #629858 by Nikon Shooter
Animals — I include here even all birds of prey — will detect
first movement and then, only then, relevant details.

I just make sure not to attract attention at first by reducing my
movements. For the rest I make sure I'm comfortable.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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5 years 2 months ago #629864 by Troponin
When hunting, its easy; put your face to the wind, stay still, and the rest is kind of moot if all of thats in place. Why? Animals don’t see the way humans do. They detect movement, scent, sounds, and try to make out an outline. Most animals don’t see in color either, so it’s more about the pattern, contrasting textures/shades  than  it is the actual colors. With photography, there is one problem with this; the sun and wind don’t always work together. 

IMO, stay away from black in large amounts and stay away from bright/white gloves, as the hand movements will most likely scare away birds and a lot of animals. 

Something you have to understand too is that a lot of wildlife photographers use blinds. This is one way they get so incredibly close. Heck, you could set up your tent so that in the morning, during sunrise, you might be able to get some shots first thing in the morning?

On a final note, don’t get hung up on camo. Most camo is designed to appeal to the hunter more than the game. This assures sales stay healthy, regardless of how it actually performs. 

JMO :)


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