Talking with Rich de Gouveia: Low-light Techniques, Best Lenses, "Making" Photographs to Represent Something, and Much More

What's in this episode

In this episode, Court sits down with pro safari photographer and guide, Richard de Gouveia, to get practical about what actually improves your wildlife and landscape images on the ground, from low-light decisions to vehicle positioning and daily image review. A lot is covered in this episode with so many wonderful takeaways, including best-practices when planning an African photo safari, conservation photography, the best gear, thoughts on improving your odds in photo contests and his advice for sharing photos, particularly on social media (he's got an impressive following). The thread that ties it all together is intention: making photographs that represent something, not just collecting wildlife sightings. Key Takeaways: Start with the end in mind - Plan safaris around what you want to photograph, not just where you want to go—build the itinerary backward from your goals. A great guide is your secret weapon - The best results come from guides who understand both wildlife behavior and photography. Stay longer, shoot better - Proper duration allows for better light, behavior, and storytelling opportunities. Low light is the biggest technical challenge - The best moments happen at