Camera Placement Tips

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Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast; wildlife researcher, field guide or game ranger, game lodge or reserve owner or are looking for a means of security, the camera trap is guaranteed to bring you great excitement and also piece of mind. It matters not if you use it at home or in the middle of the bush and want to know what runs around that you are not aware of – practically anywhere is suitable for a camera trap placement and definitely worth a try.

Just attach a camera to a tree or fence post (strap included) close to the spot you want to monitor, and make sure it has an unobstructed view.

• A key feature of all the camera trap models is the Set Up Test Function – to ensure correct and precise camera set up in the field.
• For close shots, as on game paths, watering holes or food sources set the camera at waist height (protective housings for the each camera trap are also available to deter hyenas, lions, elephants and aardvarks believe it or not!).
• On the edge of a field or large open area, set the camera higher in the air for a more panoramic view.
• If you are in an area that is known to have elephants, hyenas or other predators, ensure that your hands are free from any unusual or attractive odours e.g. food, perfumes etc as this can attract such animals for a closer inspection of the source of the odour – and may tempt them to have a pull or a bite at the camera trap to see if its to their liking.
• Depending if you want side-on or frontal pictures of subjects will influence your camera placement on a specific game path.
• Another important factor to bear in mind in the Southern Hemisphere is the direction of the rising and setting sun. Occasionally when a subject triggers the camera when it is pointed towards the sun as the sun is rising and setting (typically heavy activity hours) this can lead to overexposed or ‘washed-out’ pictures.
• If possible, try and have the camera pointing away from or at an angle to the rising or setting sun, preferably in a Southwest, South or Southeast direction (see diagram).
• One camera trap will get you great results if set up accurately but having more than one camera trap offers you more set-up options for photographing more subjects.

Placement Diagram