The Wild Photographer

There’s a big difference between taking a photo of wildlife and making a wildlife photograph. That’s really the heart of this episode. In Wildlife Photography 102 and 103, we move beyond the basics and into the field-tested techniques that help transform a good wildlife sighting into a more captivating, artful, professional-looking image. This isn’t about needing the fanciest camera or the biggest...

There are few things more frustrating in wildlife photography than thinking you nailed the moment… only to later realize the animal is just a little bit soft. That is, you didn't freeze the wildlife movement.  In this episode of The Wild Photographer , we’re diving into one of the most practical, field-tested topics in wildlife photography: what shutter speeds you actually need to freeze moti...

In this episode of The Wild Photographer , Court digs into one of the most practical, important, and occasionally nerve-wracking topics in travel photography: how to travel with camera gear safely and effectively. If you’ve ever walked through an airport with thousands of dollars of camera equipment on your back, you know the feeling. You don’t want that bag leaving your side, you don’t want your...

In this snapshot episode of The Wild Photographer , Court dives into one of the most beloved, affordable, and surprisingly powerful lenses in photography: the Nifty 50. A “Nifty 50” is the nickname for a 50mm prime lens with a very fast aperture, often somewhere around f/1.8, f/1.4, or even f/1.2. These lenses are famous for being small, lightweight, relatively inexpensive, and capable of producin...

In this episode of The Wild Photographer , Court follows up on his recent conversation about the “rules” of photography by exploring the equally interesting topic: when should we break them? Photography rules exist for good reason. Things like the rule of thirds, sharp focus, proper exposure, level horizons, golden hour light, and clean composition all help us make stronger images more consistentl...

In this snapshot episode of The Wild Photographer , Court shares a quick, practical guide to astrophotography — specifically, how to photograph the Milky Way with strong composition, sharp stars, and a plan for success. Astrophotography can feel intimidating at first. You’re working in extreme low light, trying to make tiny points of starlight stand out in a big, dramatic way. Plus, you're li...

In this episode of The Wild Photographer , Court shares the core lessons he teaches at the beginning of every photography trip. These are the foundational tips that help guests quickly gain more creative control, troubleshoot challenging field conditions, and start making stronger nature and wildlife images from the very first outing. Whether you’re heading on safari, photographing bears in Alaska...

Ever looked at a photo and thought, “Why does that look so much better than mine?”  In this solo episode, I break down the real, practical ingredients that separate good photos from truly professional ones. I cover 10+ techniques, including special times of day, dialing in your gear, ISO, tripod use, shutter speed, black & white photography, high and low key photography, editing considerations...

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, conserv...

In this solo deep dive, I walk you through the exact camera setup I use before every shoot, every trip, and sometimes even check between battery or memory card swaps. These aren’t just preferences—they’re the important, yet often-overlooked settings that can make or break your ability to capture fleeting moments in nature photography.  We get into the philosophy behind shooting in manual with auto...

Your smartphone is already the camera you carry everywhere — and in this episode, Court makes the case for why that can make it the best camera in the world. From smarter shooting shortcuts and better composition to long exposures, portrait mode, slow motion, and simple edits, this episode is packed with practical ways to get more out of the camera that’s already in your pocket. Court also shares...

In this episode I sit down with legendary photographer, guide, and longtime friend Eric Rock for a conversation packed with field-tested wisdom, big-picture perspective, and the kind of insight that only comes from a lifetime spent photographing (and guiding instructional photo tours) in wild places. We dive into what it really takes to become a stronger nature photographer, from learning to captu...

In today's episode, Court records in-location while prepping to photograph the Rocky Mountains from Boulder, Colorado—then pours a couple decades of landscape photography lessons into a practical, no-fluff playbook. From where to focus (so everything’s sharp) to when to shoot (with specifics for best times of day), to nearly a dozen other tips, this is a field guide you can use immediately—wh...

Today’s guest is National Geographic legend Jason Edwards —a photographer who doesn’t just document the world… he translates it via powerful storytelling techniques, which we cover in excellent depth in the conservation. Jason talks about storytelling as a responsibility: becoming a portal for people who may never stand where you’re standing. We dig into his deceptively simple “ five frames ” stor...

In this episode of The Wild Photographer , host Court Whelan dives into a long-awaited deep dive: Travel Photography . It’s an episode designed for photographers who want their images to capture the moment during travel and adventures in a more meaningful, creative, and artistic way.  This is both a comprehensive breakdown and a highly practical guide , whether you’re shooting with a full-frame ca...

In this episode of The Wild Photographer , Court sits down with Ralph Lee Hopkins —National Geographic photo instructor, expedition leader, and one of the most influential photo guides in adventure travel—to unpack what it really means to live the life of a photographer . Ralph traces his journey from geology student to global photo mentor, sharing how photography became a way to slow down, tune i...

Summary In this episode, Court Whelan discusses the essentials of wildlife photography, particularly focusing on the best lenses for wildlife safaris. He emphasizes the importance of adequate reach, low light sensitivity, and flexibility in lens choice. The conversation also covers the necessary accessories for wildlife photography, including tripods and camera bags, and concludes with recommendat...

Court sits down with Jeff Pfaller to go deep on photographing the night: Milky Way fundamentals, foreground strategy (and why your cell phone flashlight is secretly a lighting tool), photo stacking workflows, fireflies (including the Smokies synchronous phenomenon), eclipse photography and logistics, editing philosophy, and gear that matters most when it’s 10:30pm and your fingers are questioning...

In this episode, Court lays out a practical foundation of photography “rules” — not as rigid constraints, but as dependable starting points. These principles show up again and again because they work: they help you handle light, composition, focus, and technical settings with more confidence. Once you understand them, you can follow them when they serve the image, and break them deliberately when...

ISO is one of those photography tools that feels like a superpower… right up until it bites you. In this solo deep dive, Court unpacks why ISO is both a “magical unicorn” and a ruthless double-edged sword: it can rescue your shot in low light, but it can also quietly inject noise and crush editability. You’ll learn what ISO actually does (and what it doesn’t), how to think about it in terms of lig...

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 comp...

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 blac...

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 tri...

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...

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...