The Wild Photographer

An African photo safari is one of the most extraordinary experiences a wildlife photographer can have. But here's the catch... the best photographic opportunities often happen in seconds , and the difference between getting the shot and missing it can come down to how well you've prepared. In this episode, I share my complete approach to preparing for an African photo safari, whether it&...

Can using a tripod actually make you a worse photographer? Are $15,000 super-telephoto lenses really worth it? And could a crop-sensor camera actually be better than full-frame for wildlife photography? Photographers have surprisingly strong opinions about gear. But after years of guiding photography expeditions around the world, I've come to realize that some of the most passionately debated...

What camera gear do you actually need for getting into wildlife photography? And perhaps just as importantly, what don’t you need? In this episode, Court sits down with Allison McLaughlin for a deep dive into building a wildlife photography kit, particularly for beginner and intermediate photographers. They cover everything from why autofocus tracking and telephoto reach matter so much for wildlif...

Photography is supposed to be fun. But somewhere along the way, as we get better at it, acquire more gear, learn more techniques, and start expecting more from every photograph, some of that original excitement can fade. In this episode, Court explores how to bring some of that playfulness, curiosity, experimentation, and excitement back into photography. This isn't really an episode about ta...

In this episode of The Wild Photographer , Court sits down with fellow photographer, naturalist and expedition leader Pete Ramsden for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to make great photographs in some of the more challenging environments on the planet. They start in the rainforests of Borneo, where heat, humidity, and surprisingly low light can be challenging for both phot...

Memory cards might be one of the least exciting things in your camera bag…right up until one fails, or a camera buffer "locks up" in the middle of an incredible wildlife moment, or you find your card simply isn't fast enough. In this episode, Court does a deep dive into how memory cards actually work, what all those increasingly cryptic symbols on the front mean, and—more importantl...

When it comes to African wildlife photography, Shem Compion has done just about everything. He is an award-winning photographer, naturalist, author, and pioneering hide builder who has spent more than 25 years exploring and photographing the wild landscapes of Africa. He is also a professional photo guide where he helps photographers experience Africa with the timing, access and creative guidance...

Ultra-wide angle lenses may not take the majority of the photographs on a typical trip, but the images they produce can be some of the most immersive, useful and memorable. They are fantastic for astrophotography, Northern Lights, travel assignments, interiors and those experiential photographs that place the viewer right in the middle of the action. In this episode, Court explores what qualifies...

In this episode of The Wild Photographer , Court takes a deep dive into one of the most important but often misunderstood parts of your camera: the digital sensor. While camera sensors can sound technical at first, understanding how they work has a very real impact on the photos you make in the field. From ISO and noise to dynamic range, RAW files, megapixels, sensor size, rolling shutter, and eve...

UV filters are one of those deceptively simple pieces of camera gear that somehow manage to spark wildly passionate opinions. Some photographers swear by them. Others won’t let them anywhere near their expensive glass. And somewhere in the middle are a whole lot of people wondering, “Wait… do I actually need one of these things?” In this episode of The Wild Photographer , we’re taking a practical,...

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...