In the Media
The photographs in Africa on Safari present wildlife in a unique way, drawing the viewer in by placing them at eye level with wild animals. Watch this interview with photographer Kym Illman to learn some practical safari travel tips and find out more about the photographic techniques used to capture the dramatic images found within Africa on Safari.
Wanderlust Travel Magazine
Here are two, double page spreads from the current edition of UK-based travel magazine, Wanderlust. The editor came across the pics in Africa on Safari and contacted me via kymillman.com asking to reproduce the two images. They look magnificent on their glossy stock.
Independent Publisher Book Awards
Africa on Safari was awarded the prestigious Bronze Medal in the Environment/Ecology/Nature category of the 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards. For 20 years this national contest has been recognising excellence in independent publishing across a range of categories.
National Geographic
“Kym and Tonya utilize remote-controlled camera buggies, hidden cameras and quadcopter aerial vehicles to capture close-up images of African wildlife. Over the past few years the pair has spent more than 24 weeks photographing for the book, taking them across Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Rwanda and South Africa.”
CNN
“Using pioneering photography techniques — including quadcopters, remote-controlled camera buggies and cameras buried in dung — they’ve managed to get the kind of closeup views of African wildlife usually seen only by creatures who are about to become lunch.”
Capture Magazine
“Not your typical run-of-the-mill book of wildlife safari photos, Africa on Safari by Kym and Tonya Illman presents the reader with images that take a fresh and new approach to capturing a subject typically only shot from the top of a vehicle looking down on an animal.”
QSpirit – Qantas Magazine
Our photograph of the dried Katuma River in Katavi National Park was featured in QSpirit, the in-flight magazine for Qantas. (Pg 70-71)
Food and Travel Magazine
Discover six of our favourite camps, as well as tips on making the most of your African adventure in this glorious seven page spread from Food and Travel Magazine.
Travel Africa Magazine
“The Illmans have some incredible and unusual shots… Their approach, described by some as controversial, is experimental: they have buried their cameras in riverbanks and elephant dung, and used an electronic buggy to drive a camera right up to animals.”
Today Tonight
Kym Illman on Channel Seven’s Today Tonight programme talking about Africa on Safari. He shares some behind-the-scenes footage and stories of how the images were captured.
STM – Sunday Times Magazine
“A Perth entrepreneur and his wife have become unlikely wildlife photographers. Now Kym and Tonya Illman, who have had encounters with African creatures great and small, have turned their gripping adventures into a coffee table book that’s being sold worldwide.”
The Weekend Australian Magazine – Life
“… here is a coffee-table book filled with images that bring the continent so dramatically to life, beasts and birds all but leap and fly off the pages. A huddle of wild-eyed migrating wildebeest, prettily patterned guinea fowl and a prancing black rhino stand out in a memorable mix across 200 pages.”
Radio 5AA Adelaide
Kym Illman speaks with 5AA radio host Jeremy Cordeaux about the book Africa on Safari.
702 ABC Sydney
James Valentine of 702 ABC Sydney talks with Kym Illman about how the book Africa on Safari came into being.
Financial Review – Life & Leisure
“The selling point is photographs that draw the viewer into the scene at eye level with the game. Africa up close and personal if you like. The book is also a wealth of information, not only on the photographic equipment and techniques the Illmans used but also on travelling through Africa…”
ABC Radio Melbourne
ABC afternoon announcer Richard Stubbs talks to Kym about the release of the Illman’s new book, Africa on Safari.
Digital Photography Magazine
“Most people, and many animals, are intrigued by the remote-controlled camera buggy: sub-adult lions love it; adult males are mostly disinterested; lionesses can go either way; and the cubs won’t do anything without Mum’s approval. Wild dogs are interested but approach it warily and cheetahs pay no attention to it; they simply walk away.”
Geographical
“You’re in the animals’ territory. They know that the day is for humans, and the night is theirs. They’ll see you out during the day and they’ll normally take off from you and don’t want to be anywhere near you. But at night, you’re never out on your own, ever…”
Australian Photography Magazine
“A very different collection of images of African wildlife has been put together by experienced wildlife photographers Kym and Tonya Illman. The photographs in Africa on Safari by this husband and wife combination present wildlife in a way rarely seen…”
High Life – British Airways
“The selfie craze is here to stay, and no longer limited to human beings: these big cats took their own portraits, albeit as a by-product of remote-controlled buggy cameras.”
Photo Answers
“Australian couple Kym and Tonya Illman’s unique photographic techniques have captured some remarkable images, from world famous big cat selfies to close-ups of intrigued buffalo and hippo. Africa on Safari documents these images alongside a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how they were taken.”
The Independent on Sunday
“Africa on Safari celebrates the continent’s diverse array of animals through a series of striking images taken using some rather unconventional techniques. Australian couple Kym and Tonya Illman spent thousands of hours journeying across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa using custom made camera buggies, hidden cameras and drone-style aerial devices to get their shots.”
Good Reading
“Ingeniously mounting their cameras atop remote-controlled buggies no bigger than a toy car, they set their devices loose among the beasts. They also concealed cameras under mounds of elephant dung near waterholes and strapped them onto drones.”
Metro (UK)
“A breathtaking aerial shot of stampeding buffalo and intimate close-ups of apes and big cats feature in a new collection of wildlife photos made possible by the latest technology. Drones, remote-controlled buggies and hidden cameras were used by the Australian couple Kym and Tonya Illman to take striking images for their book, Africa on Safari.”
The Sydney Morning Herald
“Wildlife photographers Kym and Tonya Illman take a technical, hands-on approach to safari photography, using quadcopters, remote-controlled camera buggies and even burying their cameras in dung. Their new book ‘Africa on Safari’ contains stunning wildlife images as well as behind the scenes insights into their photography secrets. Africa on Safari by Kym and Tonya Illman, published by Papadakis Publisher…”
The Courier Mail
“What’s it like to get up close and uncomfortable with a lion or a tiger, a hippo or a hyena? Kym and Tonya Illman know, but instead of shivering in their safari boots, they’re as cool as cucumbers as they work with hi-tech photographic gadgetry. The results are breathtaking…”
Outdoor Photography
“Powerful photography duo Kym and Tonya Illman offer a contemporary look at wildlife in their latest book Africa on Safari. Encouraging us to put the long lens to one side and embrace a new digital mindset (one full of drones, buggies and other advanced camera kit), Kym and Tonya show that you don’t need to view wildlife from the backseat. We talk to them to find out more about their cutting edge approach to photography…”
Travel News Kenya
“The project has seen them traverse Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Rwanda and South Africa to create a truly unique, large format photographic hardback. Camera buggies and quadcopters have been used in part to take these wonderful images.”
Herald Sun
“They travelled with almost as much photographic equipment as a BBC documentary crew, spending hours in hide-outs by water pools and traversing savannah.”
International Business Times
“Australian wildlife photographers Kym and Tonya Illman spend around three months of every year on safari in Africa. Their intimate, up-close animal portraits are a result of innovative techniques and technology, including quadcopter drones, remote-controlled camera buggies and cameras buried in elephant dung. They have spent days concealed in photographic hides and have chartered helicopters to photograph sweeping vistas.”
The Guardian
“Photographers Kym and Tonya Illman’s new book Africa on Safari provides an intimate portrait of wildlife amid the plains and parks of Africa”
Daily Mail
“Two sub adults saw (the buggy) and followed it back. Not wanting them to damage it, I drove it under the vehicle hoping they’d depart. They didn’t so Tonya quickly mounted a camera on a monopod and connected a remote shutter. I lowered the monopod through the open window and when the lion came closer and started pawing it gently, Tonya clicked the remote shutter – my lower hand just 50cm from its paw.”
Advocate
Their images have already been featured in major newspapers and on the net. Magazines like Africa Geographic, BBC Wildlife, South Africa’s Getaway and Australia’s Digital Photography have also praised the book’s unique content.