The Wild Photographer
Learn techniques, tips, and tricks for improving your wildlife, travel, landscape, and general nature photography with Court Whelan. Whether you consider yourself a beginner, serious hobbyist, or advanced professional, this is the way to rapidly understand and implement new skills to elevate your photography to new heights.
Episodes
Will Patino is a landscape photographer extraordinaire and excellent photography teacher. In this conversation, the New Zealand–based landscape photographer shares oh-so-many valuable tips for nature photography.
During our time together, he breaks down his Four Pillars of Landscape Photography (location, composition, light, and processing) into a field-ready mindset, how he uses balance for composition vs. solely fol...
Harsh midday highlights, blinding backlight, gloomy overcast, barely-there dawn… and full-on darkness. In this episode of The Wild Photographer, Court breaks down five common lighting scenarios that routinely present challenges for even experienced shooters—and gives you practical, field-tested fixes for each.
From when to lean into the shadows, to when to under-expose, to the advantages of black-and-white photography...
Ever wonder what makes a professional wildlife portrait pop? In this fan-favorite episode, Court breaks down the secrets behind tack-sharp eyes, buttery-smooth backgrounds, and that magical “pro photo” look.
You’ll learn how aperture, telephoto compression, and background distance all work together to make your shots stand out.
From choosing your f-stop to post-processing blur and sharpening tricks, this episode is a ...
In need of a creative jolt for your wildlife photography and get better, more captivating images (and memories)?
In this episode of The Wild Photographer, Court shares a dozen practical ways to make wildlife images truly captivating. We cover when to crank your drive mode for expressive behavior, how getting low and shooting at eye level transforms background separation, and the simple distance ratio that creates crea...
What does it mean to slow down, be intentional, and truly see before pressing the shutter? In this episode of The Wild Photographer, Court sits down with renowned guide and photographer Colby Brokvist for a wide-ranging conversation on creativity, simplicity, and storytelling in photography. From the ethereal landscapes of Antarctica to the discipline of putting your camera down and being present, Colby shares wisdom ...
Modern cameras can feel like mini computers with endless settings, but at the core of every great photograph lies just three: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
In this episode of The Wild Photographer, Court unpacks the “Golden Triangle” of photography and explains how these three elements work together to shape exposure, creativity, and artistic intent. Through clear analogies and practical examples, you’ll learn how...
These lenses are no doubt your workhorses in any sort of photography. However, it can be a little complex deciding which one to invest in and have as part of your trusty camera kit.
In this episode, I go into detail on what makes each lens great, and why you might want to choose one over the other depending on your style and needs.
Takeaways
- The 24-70mm lens is a favorite among professionals for its sharpness and low...
This episode is dedicated to the fundamentals—the essential building blocks of great wildlife photography. Whether you’re just stepping into the world of nature photography or you’ve spent years in the field, revisiting the core principles can sharpen your eye and elevate your work.
In this episode, we break down what I consider the six cornerstones of wildlife photography: composition, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, fo...
Hey friends, welcome back to The Wild Photographer! Today, we’re diving into one of my favorite rabbit holes in photography—macro. And not just any macro… I’m talking about a quick and dirty (but oh-so-aesthetic) technique that lets you capture stunning macro shots without even bringing a macro lens. Yep, you heard that right.
As a biologist and entomologist turned travel photographer, I’ve always had a deep love for t...
In this conversation, Alex Bogaard shares his journey into photography, discussing the balance between commercial work and personal passion. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, building a portfolio, and developing a personal style. Alex also highlights the significance of storytelling in photography and how it can be used for conservation efforts. He provides insights on engaging clients, maximizing d...
In this episode, the host discusses the technique of 'shooting to crop' in photography, particularly in wildlife photography. The conversation covers the importance of camera settings such as ISO, shutter speed, and aperture to ensure high-quality images that can withstand cropping. The host also emphasizes the significance of editing techniques and the role of camera gear in achieving the best results. Over...
Photographing wildlife at night is tough, but there's a formula I've found that works incredibly well. It produces high quality, even low ISO, inspiring images of rarely seen animals we may encounter on wildlife photo adventures.
In this episode I also go over the tools and specific camera settings, along with lessons and techniques from over 20 years on this topic for how to capture stunning nocturnal wildli...
Summary
In this engaging conversation, Marlo Shaw, a talented artist and photographer, shares her insights on the intersection of art and photography, emphasizing the importance of color theory, composition, and the creative process. She discusses her experiences with art shows, the techniques she employs in polar photography, and her strategies for capturing wildlife, particularly polar bears. Marlo also del...
Summary
In this episode, Court Whelan shares his insights on traveling with camera gear, focusing on the joys and challenges of preparation, lens selection, and the importance of accessories. He discusses strategies for packing, flying with gear, and maintaining equipment while traveling, emphasizing the need for careful planning to ensure a successful photography trip.
All Gear Mentioned in List Format (and easy p...
In this episode, Court discusses five techniques to inject creative vision into photography, emphasizing the importance of breaking traditional rules and experimenting with different perspectives and methods. From composition to intentional motion blur, each technique is designed to enhance creativity and encourage photographers to think outside the box.
Takeaways
- Inject creative vision into your photography on any ...
In this episode, host Court Whelan sits down with professional photo guide and Director of Photo Expeditions at Natural Habitat Adventures, Mike Hillman. Mike shares invaluable insights on wildlife photography, from mastering perfect pawsture in bear photography to the art of bird photography and finding your personal photographic style. We also dive into intentional camera movement (ICM), editing techniques that harn...
In this episode of The Wild Photographer, host Court Whelan dives deep into the world of tripods and stabilization techniques essential for photographers. He discusses the importance of tripods, the differences between cheap and expensive options, and the various types of tripod heads. The episode also covers travel tripods, monopods, and alternative stabilization methods, along with recommendations for top brands. Fi...
Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Wild Photographer, Court Whelan breaks down the essential techniques for getting sharp images in both landscape and wildlife photography. He shares insider tips on shutter speed, aperture, and focusing techniques, plus the real impact of ISO on sharpness. You’ll also learn how to leverage image stabilization, drive mode, and post-processing tools like Topaz Denoise to get crystal...
In this episode of The Wild Photographer, host Court Whelan discusses the art and science of photography with the talented Giulia Ciampini. As a photographer, educator, and conservationist, Giulia shares her journey from her first childhood photos to her current work in wildlife photography and photo instruction.
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Summary:
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In this episode of the Wild Photographer podcast, Court Whelan discusses the five most important camera settings that every photographer should master to enhance...
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