The Wild Photographer – Details, episodes & analysis

Send us a text

If you know you know...these are highly revered and often photographers' go-to lenses.  But how do they stack up for wildlife, landscape, travel, and general nature photography?

Well, I just returned from a Borneo Photo Expedition and found that I had this on my camera about 80% of the time.  Yep, they're that good.

In this episode I go over all the reasons why these are exceptional lenses for nature photography, but also acknowledge some of their downsides.

If you'd like to help support the podcast, use these links below if you plan on renting or purchasing a lens!  (by the way, you get 15% off at LensRentals.com by using the promo code WildPhotographer15).

Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.courtwhelan.com

Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com

Follow Court on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips

View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

Sponsors and Promo Codes:
LensRentals.com - WildPhotographer15 for 15% off
ShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% off
Arthelper.Ai - WILD for a 6 month free trial of Pro Version

AG1 - Daily (and Travel) Nutrition (use link for free travel packs and other goodies)

Send us a text

Chris is one of the most accomplished and talented photographers in today's day and age, known for everything from extraordinary aerial landscape photography, to surf photography, to epic storytelling in the nature and adventure space.  He's authored multiple books, has directed and produced sensational films, and has a business acumen that has made him a household name in the world of outdoor photography.

In this episode we talk about so many things in the photography world, but go deeper into the psyche of photographers with topics like goal-setting and why it's important to "make your own quotes" in the work you produce. 

And it goes without saying his advice to photographers (and videographers) at all levels on the storytelling element of photography is par excellence.

You can find more on Chris Burkard at www.ChrisBurkard.com

Want to support the show?  Leave a great rating and review--it helps more than you know!

Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.courtwhelan.com

Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com

Follow Court on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips

View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

Sponsors and Promo Codes:
LensRentals.com - WildPhotographer15 for 15% off
ShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% off
Arthelper.Ai - WILD for a 6 month free trial of Pro Version

AG1 - Daily (and Travel) Nutrition (use link for free travel packs and other goodies)

Send us a text

In this episode I go through all of my camera gear discussing what I have and why I have each piece, whether its a lens, a tripod, an accessory, etc. I've always found this to be a super useful tool in broadening ones horizons with photography and learning from others.  In addition to the things I do have, I mention certain things I do not in order to break out what I view as essential, nice-to-have, and can-do-without.

Although I call out specific brands and models, this definitely isn't meant to be salesy at all.  It's really just a way for you to understand the what and why behind my lifelong quest to assemble the perfect nature, wildlife and landscape photography setup and all the gear that comes with it.

Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.courtwhelan.com

Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com

Follow Court on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips

View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

Sponsors and Promo Codes:
LensRentals.com - WildPhotographer15 for 15% off
ShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% off
Arthelper.Ai - WILD for a 6 month free trial of Pro Version

AG1 - Daily (and Travel) Nutrition (use link for free travel packs and other goodies)

Send us a text

When you're a traveling nature photographer, having a great camera bag is a must.  In this snapshot episode I talk about the components of a great camera bag and give recommendations for my favorite styles for each type of photo adventure.

Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.courtwhelan.com

Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com

Follow Court on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips

View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

Sponsors and Promo Codes:
LensRentals.com - WildPhotographer15 for 15% off
ShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% off
Arthelper.Ai - WILD for a 6 month free trial of Pro Version

AG1 - Daily (and Travel) Nutrition (use link for free travel packs and other goodies)

Send us a text

Extraordinary wildlife, stunning scenery, and a travel vibe that is just plain awesome--African safaris are the best!   Today we dive deep into all things African safari photography including gear advice, trip planning advice, as well as specific photo strategies for wildlife, sunrise, blue hour, and landscape photography (and more) in Africa.

I continue with a detailed overview of safari regions, discussing the merits and specifics of East Africa and Southern Africa photo safaris, getting down to the country level.

And finally, we discuss what a typical day looks like on the best African safaris to help you plan and prep for your extraordinary photo adventure.

Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.courtwhelan.com

Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com

Follow Court on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips

View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

Sponsors and Promo Codes:
LensRentals.com - WildPhotographer15 for 15% off
ShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% off
Arthelper.Ai - WILD for a 6 month free trial of Pro Version

AG1 - Daily (and Travel) Nutrition (use link for free travel packs and other goodies)

Send us a text

Today's digital cameras have SO many settings and modes!  This can be overwhelming, but it's actually a good thing once you understand the perfect settings for your photography.  In this episode you'll hear my go-to settings for every time I'm out in our wild world taking wildlife and landscape photos.  If you match my settings I have no doubt you can master your camera and use these perfect (and easy) settings to capture the best photos each and every time.

Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.courtwhelan.com

Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com

Follow Court on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips

View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

Sponsors and Promo Codes:
LensRentals.com - WildPhotographer15 for 15% off
ShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% off
Arthelper.Ai - WILD for a 6 month free trial of Pro Version

AG1 - Daily (and Travel) Nutrition (use link for free travel packs and other goodies)

Send us a text

When we see a pro photographer's wildlife portraiture, there is just something special about its look.  It just "looks so professional."  Want to know how this is consistently possible?

In this episode, we dive into how pro photographers use their tools and techniques to their advantage to get amazing portraiture of animals and emphasize that sensational contrast of blurred background with tack-sharp focus on the animal subject.

Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.courtwhelan.com

Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com

Follow Court on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips

View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

Sponsors and Promo Codes:
LensRentals.com - WildPhotographer15 for 15% off
ShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% off
Arthelper.Ai - WILD for a 6 month free trial of Pro Version

AG1 - Daily (and Travel) Nutrition (use link for free travel packs and other goodies)

Send us a text

Photography certainly has its fair share of fancy terms and complicated menu systems. This is even more true in this digital age.  However, bracketing is actually one of the more ancestral options within a camera menu, with roots stretching firmly back to film days.

Do you need bracketing?  What is it?  Tune in to learn all about it, the various applications, how to use it, and what are the best scenes to actually use it.

Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.courtwhelan.com

Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com

Follow Court on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips

View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

Sponsors and Promo Codes:
LensRentals.com - WildPhotographer15 for 15% off
ShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% off
Arthelper.Ai - WILD for a 6 month free trial of Pro Version

AG1 - Daily (and Travel) Nutrition (use link for free travel packs and other goodies)

Send us a text

It's one of the more frequent opportunities we have as nature photographers...to capture an awesome sunset or sunrise.  However, there is a big difference between just documenting it and capturing something extraordinary.  And for those times where these solar displays are just mind-blowing, we tend to get lost in the moment and forget the artistry involved.

I've honed these techniques and tips for years and years of photographing sunsets (and sunrises!) from all over the world and am excited to share them with you.  Some are simple...some are a bit more complex, but each will individually level-up your sunset photography.  And when used in conjunction, they come together in a grand formula for getting sensational, and unique, sunrise and sunset photos guaranteed to impress.

Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.courtwhelan.com

Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com

Follow Court on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips

View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

Sponsors and Promo Codes:
LensRentals.com - WildPhotographer15 for 15% off
ShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% off
Arthelper.Ai - WILD for a 6 month free trial of Pro Version

AG1 - Daily (and Travel) Nutrition (use link for free travel packs and other goodies)

Send us a text

If you are ready to take the leap and move away from using the full auto setting on your camera, I commend you.  And you will be happy you did so, because your photos, and your general creativity, will shine! 

In this episode I walk you through the various "next steps" if you are ready to move toward greater creative control.  The best part of this is that you do NOT have to immediately jump to Aperture or Manual modes to take the first step.  For instance, P or Program mode is a fantastic way to start experimenting with exposure compensation, white balance, and metering modes.  I'll walk you through all this.  Aperture and shutter speed priority modes add in one more opportunity, to control the depth of field and shutter of your camera. 

Finally, I give you my personal style for using manual in a unique way that gets me sharp photos, at the exact depth of field I'm envisioning, with less work and better photos than ever before.

Take that first step and enter a big world of awesome possibilities!

Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.courtwhelan.com

Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com

Follow Court on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips

View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

Sponsors and Promo Codes:
LensRentals.com - WildPhotographer15 for 15% off
ShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% off
Arthelper.Ai - WILD for a 6 month free trial of Pro Version

AG1 - Daily (and Travel) Nutrition (use link for free travel packs and other goodies)