Hipstamatic Safari

June 12, 2011

Gypsy Girls! I’ve been thinking of you. Am just in from a week bushcamping in Botswana and off on business to Chengdu, China. Spending today in a traveller’s lounge in Hong Kong airport using wifi, having a massage, sampling my first Chinese noodles of this trip. All along the way I’ve been wondering to myself, “When did this become my life?” More on that another time.

Thought I’d share with you a few images snapped on safari. When my camera batteries died, I experimented with Hipstamatic on the iPhone. I only felt a little silly next to the intrepid photogs with giant lenses… my iPhone’s got a hot pink polka dot cover, too. I suppose it was pretty silly… I enjoy the images, though. Very Out of Africa, don’t you think?

Sunset on the Okavango Delta

Kala, guide from !Kung tribe, liked the iPhone very much!

It was a beautiful, mind-boggling, life-altering experience. Remote winter camping with trackers… one day we saw 16 different lions. For more images (shot with my Canon point n’ shoot) see XpatAdventures.com.  Anyone want to go next year? Let me know…

Rebecca is a regular contributor to the Gypsy Girl’s Guide. She’s an American gone global, with an apartment in Zurich.

22 Comments | Add a Comment | 
Posted in Fearless, Inspired, Jet Setter, Nomad, Places

Comments

  • just goes to show that it’s not the gear that’s the important bit, it’s the person that’s taking the photograph that makes the difference.

    i’ve always dreamed of travelling to africa and not yet made it there.

    just been over to your site looking at all your upcoming adventures – what a fabulous lineup. can’t wait to read all about them….

    happy travels

    leonie | June 12, 2011 at 6:56 am

  • Thanks, Leonie! Wouldn’t it be great to get a bunch of us to go?

    Rebecca | June 12, 2011 at 7:36 am

  • Just incredible! I really like the first photo. It is, as you say, very Out of Africa which is one of my favourite films! :)

    Ruth | June 12, 2011 at 8:07 am

  • Leonie is right. Cameras hide in the oddest places these days but to have the “eye” for a good shot is what matters. Often I refer to my iPhone as my camera. Sorry, diehards. Love you and will call Santa Monica in a few weeks to talk with all of you! xo

    Gillian | June 12, 2011 at 6:08 pm

  • these are awesome!!!!

    Alex | June 12, 2011 at 9:46 pm

  • These are lovely — and very reminiscent of one of my favorite films too! iPhone is great “insurance” and I love that you chose Hipstamatic — which i really like but sometimes feel a little funny aboout it’s retro/techno irony. I will be quicker to share some of my own hipsta-shots. I read recently (no idea who to credit) that the best camera is the one that you have with you at the time.

    jess | June 13, 2011 at 3:12 am

  • These photos are beautiful! Thanks for sharing! I love to take pictures but find that I’m very awkward with a big expensive camera. Since I got an iPhone, I take so many more pictures.

    Tamberine | June 13, 2011 at 4:46 am

  • Thanks! Love this comment… I’m just sort-of awkward in general ;-)… so maybe it was fitting that I was bushcamping in Botswana with my little Kate Spade covered hot pink polka dot iPhone. The whole idea sounds so silly!

    Rebecca | June 13, 2011 at 8:59 am

  • Thanks, Jess!

    Rebecca | June 13, 2011 at 8:59 am

  • Thanks, Alex! You wouldn’t believe how close that lion was to get the shot with the iPhone…

    Rebecca | June 13, 2011 at 9:00 am

  • Gillian… we will plan another meet-up! How about nearer you? I’ll be in NYC & Pittsburgh in October… maybe a foodie safari?

    Rebecca | June 13, 2011 at 9:01 am

  • Thanks, Ruth!

    Rebecca | June 13, 2011 at 9:01 am

  • Are you kidding? Ignore the giant lens photogs – you shot a beautiful dreamy pic of a lion and another of an elephant and her baby. To me that is more beautiful than some super sharp fully realistic pic of the same things. I don’t know if I’ll ever go on safari, but this is how I would like to imagine it to be. Very much “Out of Africa”-esque.

    PS Love my hipstamatic on my iPod Touch…I’ve shot over 200 pictures in the week that I have owned it LOL.

    Wendi | June 13, 2011 at 11:26 am

  • What an amazing trip! It must have been so incredible seeing all those lions – and a baby elephant! The photos are gorgeous. Out of Africa is my all time favorite movie. :)

    Farmgirl Susan | June 13, 2011 at 2:31 pm

  • AMAZING PICTURES
    you are so lucky

    cry | June 13, 2011 at 3:26 pm

  • Thanks @cry, @Farmgirl Susan and @Wendi! Your comments inspire me to take more photos and share them here…

    Rebecca | June 14, 2011 at 10:35 pm

  • Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and not the camera – and these are all so very beautiful ! I can’t believe how close you were to that lion (no telephoti lens on an iPhone !).

    I look forward to catching up with you soon (did you see my comments on the Connect and Act FB page ?).

    Cheryl | June 16, 2011 at 2:50 am

  • Hi Cheryl! Yes on all counts! Thanks so much. Am in China and can’t comment on facebook… even my own personal blog is blocked but not GGG! Will do in the next few days, ok?

    Rebecca | June 17, 2011 at 2:04 am

  • I am very interested in your travels. How do you decide where and when you are travelling? I love the photos!

    carol steeley | June 18, 2011 at 8:43 pm

  • these photos are great! i am going to tanzania next week so you have really inspired me with the pics and stories from your africa adventure – thanks!

    laurie b | June 19, 2011 at 8:58 am

  • love it. i got to spend a few days in the Okavango Delta on a bus backpacker’s tour. brings back great memories. the wildlife was amazing.

    The Equestrian Vagabond | June 20, 2011 at 4:52 pm

  • Love love love love love!!!

    Andi of My Beautiful Adventures | June 21, 2011 at 8:28 am
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