Talking with Colby Brokvist: Mountain Photography, Intentionality When Setting Up the Shot, Defining Style, and How to Get into Photo Guiding
Send us a textWhat 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, Colby shares wisdom on cultivating intentionality, developing a personal style, and guiding others to find their own voice as photographers. Along the way, they explore the balance between technical skill and creative vision, the evolving role of conservation photography, and the realities of leading photo trips around the world.Main Takeaways:How to get into guiding photo trips and teaching photographySimplicity is the answer (why and how to keep it simple)Thoughts from Colby on Photographing AntarcticaColby’s Go-To Settings and why he’s always prepared for fast actionColby’s advice for honing your style (but not to be put in a box) and thoughts on a timeless styleColby's Tips on Mountain PhotographyWhy image searches on google can elevate your photography for your upcoming tripWhy Colby always recommends traveling with a lightweight kitPlus, Colby's favorite x-factor lensLinks Discussed and to Share:Colby's Guide-Training Academy: Waypoint Guide Academy WebsiteAnd IG Account: Waypoint InstagramColby's Personal IG: Colbyoutdoors InstagramColby's Guide-Training Book: The Professional Guide's HandbookColby's Photo Website: Colby Outdoors PhotographyThe Creative Act by Rick RubinWill Patino's YouTube (Colby's favorite YouTube Photographer)Court's Websites Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.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% offShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% offArthelper.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)
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The Golden Triangle Explained: Understand it and Master Photography Settings Forever
Send us a textModern cameras can feel like mini computers with endless settings, but at the core of every great photograph lies just three: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. In this episode of The Wild Photographer, Court unpacks the “Golden Triangle” of photography and explains how these three elements work together to shape exposure, creativity, and artistic intent. Through clear analogies and practical examples, you’ll learn how to balance depth of field, motion, and light to capture the scene in front of you exactly as you envision it. Whether you’re exploring landscapes, photographing wildlife, or diving deeper into your craft, this episode provides a straightforward guide to mastering the fundamentals that matter most in mastering photography.Court's Websites Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.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% offShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% offArthelper.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)
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My Thoughts on the 24-70mm vs. 24-105mm Class of Lenses
Send us a textThese lenses are no doubt your workhorses in any sort of photography. However, it can be a little complex deciding which one to invest in and have as part of your trusty camera kit.In this episode, I go into detail on what makes each lens great, and why you might want to choose one over the other depending on your style and needs.TakeawaysThe 24-70mm lens is a favorite among professionals for its sharpness and low-light capabilities.F2.8 aperture is excellent for portrait and low-light photography.The 24-105mm lens offers more versatility with its extended range.Weight and size are significant factors for travel photographers (feather in the cap for 24-105mm).The 24-70mm lens has better resale value due to its popularity.Consider your primary photography style when choosing a lens--do you need f/2.8?The 24-105mm is more affordable and lighter, making it a great option for many.Image stabilization can influence the choice between the two lenses.Ultimately, the best lens is the one that fits your needs and is with you when you need it. If you don't need f/2.8 for your landscape/walking-around lens, save the money, size, and weight and go for the 24-105mm.Court's Websites Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.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% offShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% offArthelper.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)
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Wildlife Photography 101: The Basics (and Cornerstones) of Wildlife Photography
Send us a textThis episode is dedicated to the fundamentals—the essential building blocks of great wildlife photography. Whether you’re just stepping into the world of nature photography or you’ve spent years in the field, revisiting the core principles can sharpen your eye and elevate your work.In this episode, we break down what I consider the six cornerstones of wildlife photography: composition, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus, and editing. These aren’t just technical settings—they’re the tools that shape your ability to tell compelling stories through your images.We begin with composition, exploring everything from the classic rule of thirds to more nuanced tools like the phi grid and exaggerated framing. We’ll also touch on strategies for capturing wildlife in its broader landscape, and how to approach moments of behavior with both creativity and technical precision. From there, we move through the vital exposure triangle—understanding how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together—and close with a look at editing as the final, intentional step in the process.This is a practical guide to grounding your photography in strong technique, while allowing space for creative decision-making and artistic growth.Special thanks to our sponsor, ArtHelper.ai, whose AI-powered platform helps photographers transform finished images into powerful content. Use promo code WILD for six months free.Let’s get started—this is Wildlife Photography 101.Court's Websites Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.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% offShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% offArthelper.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)
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My Quick & Dirty (but oh-so-aesthetic!) Macro Photography Technique – No Macro Lens Needed
Send us a textHey friends, welcome back to The Wild Photographer! Today, we’re diving into one of my favorite rabbit holes in photography—macro. And not just any macro… I’m talking about a quick and dirty (but oh-so-aesthetic) technique that lets you capture stunning macro shots without even bringing a macro lens. Yep, you heard that right.As a biologist and entomologist turned travel photographer, I’ve always had a deep love for the miniature world—those textures, patterns, and critters that usually go unnoticed. But let’s be real: when you're packing for a trip, you can't always justify hauling a full macro setup. That’s why I’ve dialed in a portable, practical method using your everyday lenses—think 24–105mm or a basic kit lens—and I’m breaking it all down for you in this episode.Whether it’s a dew-drenched wildflower or the intricate veins of a rainforest leaf, I’ll walk you through the physical setup, manual focus tricks, camera settings with and without flash, and the creative flair that turns good shots into great ones. I even cover editing tips to make those textures pop and that drama sing.So if you’ve ever wanted to make small things look big (and beautiful), grab your gear—or even just your backyard—and let’s explore how to bring the tiny into focus in a bold new way.Let’s get wild. Let’s get macro.Court's Websites Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com Sign up for Court's photo, conservation and travel blog at www.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% offShimodaDesigns.com - Whelan10 for 10% offArthelper.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)
Learn techniques, tips, and tricks for improving your wildlife, travel, landscape, and general nature photography with Court Whelan. Whether you consider yourself a beginner, serious hobbyist, or advanced professional, this is the way to rapidly understand and implement new skills to elevate your photography to new heights.
Ireland