Photography Tips

Photographers and bears, Katmai, Alaska.
Photographing bears, Alaska

Photography advice for capturing Alaska’s wilderness. Wildlife photography techniques, landscape composition, camera gear for backcountry conditions, and wildlife photography tips from experienced outdoor photographers.

Capturing Alaska’s wilderness requires more than just good light. Learn photography techniques for wildlife, landscapes, and backcountry conditions from guides who spend months each year in the field.

Obviously short brief pieces and tips aren’t designed to turn you into a pro (if such a thing as “Pro wildlife photographer” actually exists any more; a conversation worth having at some point).

These are simply things to think about, and things to do to help you improve your wildlife photography.

A humpback whale breaching out Prince William Sound, Alaska.

Why Do Humpback Whales Breach?

The honest answer is: we don’t know. Researchers have been at it for decades and the best they’ve got is a list of good guesses. But after watching 20 breaches in a single morning off Sitka, I’ve got some observations.

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Female puma, or cougar and her cubs on a ridge in Patagonia, Chile.

Wildlife Photography Tips and Techniques

Everything I’ve learned about wildlife photography in thirty years of fieldwork. Gear, settings, and technique matter. But the other ninety percent is fieldcraft, and that’s what most guides leave out.

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Humpback whale breaching during herring spawn feast out of Sitka, Alaska.

Whale Photography in Alaska

Whale photography is humbling. You can have 30 years behind a lens and a camera that costs more than your truck, and a humpback whale will still make you look like an amateur. Here’s what five seasons on the water in Southeast Alaska have actually taught me.

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Seek Outside teepee cook tent on Canning River Rafting Trip, ANWR, Alaska

Rafting on the Canning River, ANWR, Alaska

Here’s a photo of us rafting down the Upper Marsh Fork of the Canning River. This is essentially the headwaters of the Canning in the Brooks Range, close to the continental divide. How Do We Get Here? We go to ANWR via Coldfoot, and fly in tot he backcountry from there. Our favorite Alaska air […]

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Tebay Lake, Upper Lake, at sunset, in the Chugach Mountains, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Photography is seeing?

We all know photography is seeing. But what does that mean? Specifically, how does that apply to wildlife photography. See what isn’t there. And then make it there.

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Aurora borealis night sky Brooks Range mountains Alaska.

Night Time Photography – the Test Shot

Master the test shot method for Alaska night photography. Learn the systematic process guides use for sharp, perfectly exposed northern lights photos.

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An adult bald eagle flying against Chilkat Mountains Haines Alaska.

Specialize And Narrow Your Focus

Focus Your Photography Pick a subject, and work it. A shotgun approach to a trip of trying to shoot lots of different subjects is more likely to just yield a bunch of mediocre images. Spend time with your subject. The best wildlife images typically will take time. Give yourself that opportunity to really make something […]

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Mt. Logan in Canada from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Wildlife Photography Guide

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Alaska polar bear photo tours Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Polar bear walking across the frozen Arctic Ocean

Hey Folks, It’s probably a good time for another polar bear photo, don’t ya think? This young fella was curious enough to venture out, albeit cautiously, over the think, newly formed ice of the Beaufort Sea, to come in for a closer look. I wanted to get a nice low angle, and give a sense […]

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Aurora borealis Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Northern lights and Wrangell Mountains

Hey Folks, Winter in Alaska is a fun time; it’s a hard time for a photographer because we have to choose between shooting during the day time, and waiting out the nights to photograph the northern lights. And then switching schedules back and forth as the weather and the northern lights predictions change. So the […]

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