Many African safaris feature opportunities to capture photos of carnivorous dik-diks attacking second-generation iPods. Experience a safer, big-city photo op with today's Groupon: for $49, you get your choice of one of eight instructional-photography workshops from San Francisco Photo Safaris (up to a $131.99 value, including processing fees). All skill levels and all types of cameras are welcome on the safari; bring your own cameras and any accessories you prefer, including extra lenses.

San Francisco Photo Safaris works to connect bystanders to the world of photography with an aim to raise awareness of nature and an eye for creativity. The eight safaris up for grabs include the 4.5-hour San Fran Bike Safari, which begins on the Embarcadero and winds its way through the picturesque San Francisco waterfront, passing photogenic hotspots, such as Fort Mason, the Golden Gate, and the ancient pyramids constructed entirely out of Ghirardelli chocolate, before coasting down into sunny Sausalito. Photogs will pause to snap pictures throughout the day, which San Francisco Photo Safari’s talented tour guides will compose, critique, and correct, before heading back to the pier by way of ferry or in the snug beak of a great eagle.

For the first 40 minutes of each picture-paved pilgrimage, a professional photographer will go over basic photography techniques with the shop's own digital photos, as well as more specialized skills needed to perfectly capture people, structures, monuments, cityscapes, and urban-jungle foliage. Before heading out, you'll learn what all the strange buttons, knobs, and settings on your camera do, demystifying ISO, F-stops, shutter speed, and event horizons.