How to photograph GORILLAS and CHIMPS in the wild | Settings and Gear Advice included.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Photographing in low light conditions like these is always tricky. Let us know if you think William's tips will help you next time you are photographing in challenging light.

[@darrenmctee2255]

Excellent video and amazing images! I have done six Gorilla treks and eight Chimp treks over the last two years and consider it the most challenging wildlife photography I have encountered. This video accurately captures the difficulties and solutions to help solve them. Well done! It was fun to recognize a few of the chimps in this video. "Buddha" and "Mr Black" are such great personalities in that chimp family.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Thank you for the comment. Delighted you agree.

[@GeorgBotz]

Hi William, Thanks for this excellent and exciting video. I fully agree that Auto ISO is the best way to be prepared for "all" kind of situations when taking pictures in those conditions. Personally, I prefer to switch to "Fv" mode on my Canon R6Mk II instead of "M" which I think is more convenient. I my view it would be very useful to share some advice / your experiences how to cope with the high level of humidity in the rain forest as this is a very challenging condition for camera equipment. As always I'm looking forward to more of your content, Georg

[@eikohariu8460]

Thank you very much for this video. Brings back great memory with your photo instructor Nelis. End of Sept 2024. He was a wonderful instructor!! I learned a lot about shooting in low light situations. This was unforgettable experience sharing time with such amazing wildlife- those brown amber eyes of Chimpanzees and Mountain Gorillas! If anyone is thinking of going to do this Primate photo trip- highly recommended! Would love to do this trip again! I used both 200-600 mm and 70-200mm majority of my photos was in f3 range. Sony a1 and 7 r Iv. Williams- please create instructions video of how to edit Primates photos!!! Thank you Pangolin team for another great adventure!

[@ahajonathan]

Wonderful video and great insights. I love the rainforests, but they have been for me one of the most challenging environments to work in (with the low light). Shooting in our forests is still very rewarding and enriching

[@PangolinWildlife]

I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@AlexFBuchholzPhoto]

Great video and a better piece of advice. Definitely on my bucket list.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Its an incredible experience for sure

[@spokesdog9958]

Thoroughly enjoyed your tips, beautiful images and settings. I will be going to Uganda in a few months and this is the only video I have found so far that shared all pertinent info for photographers. I had planned on taking my 70-200mm2.8 and 24-70mm 2.8 (Nikon mirrorless) for the gorilla treks. For the Chimanzee trek may bring my 300mm F4 along with the 70-200 2.8 of course. I have photographed owls in low light in wooded areas in the PNW, but believe the primates may prove to be even more challenging. Thank you so much for this video, William. Well done.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Really glad that this was published in time….have a a great safari! The owl photography experience will certainly help i think.

[@spokesdog9958]

@@PangolinWildlife You may have mentioned it in your video (which I will watch again later) but curious as to which sector you visited for the gorillas? I will be doing both a trek and habituation. Your images have made me even more excited about this unique experience

[@ScrimshawPhotography]

The most important part of all is that the 1 hour goes by way faster than you think. It's nice to just sit and enjoy being in the presence of these amazing apes, and put the camera down every now and then

[@PangolinWildlife]

Sound advice. We also normally do two treks per safari.

[@PaulGibbings01]

I last visited over 20 years ago, using 800 iso film. We got to hear, rather than see both the gorillas and chimps, I didn't get a single good photo, but it was still a memorable experience.

[@AndyM...]

Back in 2011 took my 600F4 to Rwanda and Uganda as well as the 100-400 but back then had a Canon 50D which was very noisy. Got some good portrait shots and also enviro shots. Would love to go again with more modern equipment and include way more video.

[@endowpictures22]

educative thank you

[@PangolinWildlife]

Thank you. Glad you liked it

[@sgpork]

going Rwanda next year. Ive prepare a 70-200 2.8 and 300 2.8. Because I figured they could be quite near ..

[@PangolinWildlife]

That sounds like an excellent choice, you will get some great shots.

[@grossersaeckelmeister]

Best time for this video. In January 2025 we will be in Uganda visiting chimpanzees and gorillas 😁

[@KennethRoberts-p3s]

What is your view of the Canon RF135 f1.8 L lens for gorilla tracking (paired with Canon R5)?

[@pentagramyt417]

I wonder if there is at least one professional in your team, who carries M43 system with their primes like 45 f1.2, or zoom like 40-150 f2.8 and so on. I feel like this system is very abadoned, though very well weather-sealed like Olympus / OM System is known of.