The Wild Photographer is a podcast for wildlife, nature, landscape, and travel photographers who want to make better photos and get more out of photography. Hosted by professional photographer, biologist, expedition leader, and photo guide Court Whelan, PhD, the show combines practical photograp
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 pieces of equipment don't have a clear right or wrong answer. In this episode of The Wild Photographe...
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 wildlife, to the advantages of crop sensors, zoom lenses, used gear, and even sticking with a DSLR for a...
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 taking technically better photographs. In fact, that's sort of the point. It's about enjoying the proces...
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 photographers and their gear. Pete shares some of the systems he has developed over years of guiding, ...
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 importantly—how to choose the right card for the way you photograph. The episode covers SD vs. CFexpress, read speed vs. w...
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 needed to come home with something truly special. In this episode, Shem and I dig into what separ...
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 as an ultra-wide angle lens, how crop-sensor conversions affect focal length, and why wider is no...
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 even sensor dust, this episode breaks down the core concepts with practical advice in a photographer-...
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, field-tested look at UV filters: what they are, why they exist, why they mattered more in the fil...
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 lens. It’s about learning how to stack the deck in your favor, first with Technique... choosing ...
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 motion. But here’s the important part: not all movement is created equal. A sleeping polar bear, a res...
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 lenses rattling around, and you definitely don’t want to arrive in Botswana, Alaska, Borneo, or an...
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 producing beautifully shallow depth of field. In other words, they can give your photos that dreamy backgr...
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 consistently. They give us a useful framework, especially when we’re learning or working quickly in the field...
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 likely using gear that is specialized, and let's face it, things are more challenging in the pitch dark. ...
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, chasing landscapes in Iceland, or simply trying to get more out of your camera, these are the ha...
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 and more. The more of these techniques you stack, the more pro your photos will become! Cou...
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, conservation photography, the best gear, thoughts on improving your odds in photo contests and his ...
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 ISO, why I prioritize speed and readiness for wildlife over anything else, and how I custom...
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 which phone features he actually uses, which ones he skips, and a few favorite apps for shooting ...
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 capture a wildlife subject with intention, to building fieldcraft techniques that help you create bett...
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—whether you’re shooting mirrorless, DSLR, or point-and-shoot. He concludes with bonus content on editing...
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” storytelling challenge, his ruthless “one thing per photo” rule, and a powerful litmus test: does your i...
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 camera, a mirrorless setup, or just your smartphone. Court pulls from decades of experience as a ...
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 in, and stay deeply present in nature. Along the way, he breaks down his core mantra—Light, Compositi...
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 recommendations for both lenses and gear to enhance the wildlife photography experience. Takeaways Wildlife...
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 your life choices. Key Topics Include: The importance of planning a night photo shoot during the ...
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 the scene calls for something different. The goal is simple: more intentionality, and better phot...
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 light and "stops" and how to use it strategically in the field—especially in the real-world low-ligh...
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 following compositional rules, how he reliably shoots handheld at 1/8s wi...
About The Wild Photographer
The Wild Photographer is a podcast for wildlife, nature, landscape, and travel photographers who want to make better photos and get more out of photography. Hosted by professional photographer, biologist, expedition leader, and photo guide Court Whelan, PhD, the show combines practical photograp
The Wild Photographer is a English learning podcast from Court Whelan. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
