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How To · Court Whelan

The Wild Photographer

by Court Whelan

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 photography advice with lessons learned from photographing wildlife and wild places around the world. Episodes cover wildlife photography techniques, camera settings, lenses and gear, composition, landscape and travel photography, editing, creativity, and fieldcraft, along with conversations with professional photographers and visual storytellers. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, expect approachable advice you can actually use in the field, plus plenty of adventure, curiosity, and enthusiasm for the craft.

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Making Photography Fun (Again?)

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 phot

Sep 14
27 min

Talking with Pete Ramsden - Techniques for Photographing in Challenging Conditions, Advice on Light Painting, Capturing the Northern Lights and More

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 wh

Sep 1
1 h 28 min

A Deep Dive into Memory Cards: Speed, Maintenance, Formatting and More

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

Aug 18
52 min

Talking with Shem Compion: Making Memorable Wildlife Photographs on Safari and Beyond

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 b

Aug 4
1 h 10 min

Snapshot Episode: A Quick Guide to Ultra-Wide Angle Lenses

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 memorabl

Jul 28
17 min

All About Camera Sensors: Understand them and Improve your Photography

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

Jul 20
48 min

UV Filters Explained: Worth It, Overrated, or Essential Lens Protection?

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 wo

Jul 14
14 min

Wildlife Photography 102 and 103: Advanced Methods for Pro-Level Results

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 10

Jul 7
44 min

Shutter Speeds Necessary for Various Types of Wildlife Movement

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, yo

Jun 30
32 min

How Pros Travel with Camera Gear (Safely and Effectively!)

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 trave

Jun 23
1 h 01 min

Snapshot: Why Every Photographer Should Own a Nifty Fifty Lens

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

Jun 16
14 min

When and How to "Break the Rules" and Think Different with your Wildlife, Landscape and Nature Photography

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 sh

Jun 9
36 min

Snapshot: A Simple Formula for Great Astrophotography

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 c

Jun 2
24 min

The 7 Photo Tips I Teach on DAY ONE of my Guided Photo Adventures

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 g

May 26
37 min

How to Get that "Pro Look" with your Nature Photography: 10 Tips and Strategies to Level Up your Game

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

May 12
1 h 03 min

Talking with Rich de Gouveia: Low-light Techniques, Best Lenses, "Making" Photographs to Represent Something, and Much More

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 ima

Apr 28
1 h 16 min

Customizing Your Camera: A Deep Dive for Setting Up Your Camera for Wildlife, Landscape, and Nature Photography

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. The

Apr 14
40 min

How to Turn your Phone into the Best Camera in the World

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

Mar 31
43 min

Talking with Eric Rock: How to Become a Better Wildlife and Nature Photographer in the Field

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,

Mar 17
1 h 15 min

Landscape Photography 101 & 102: Tips to Instantly Elevate Your Landscape Photos

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 photog

Mar 3
44 min

Chart trend

Position in the How To chart (US), last 90 days.

#20
all-time peak
4
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where The Wild Photographer ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 23, 2026).

#91 ▲ 74 How To US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Court delivers valuable wildlife tips and insights in an unpretentious and not overly technical way. Great for beginners and intermediate/advanced amateurs alike. I’d love to get out in the field with him one day!

NY Tuck · Jun 2025

The podcast is geared to relatively less experienced photographers in the sense that Court starts with a review and explaining the basic things then moves on. He is a great “teacher” and the podcasts flow very well. I am relatively new to photography and find his series extremely informative and helpful.

Oregonian 2017 · Dec 2024

Recently discovered this podcast and have thoroughly enjoyed the episodes. Interesting interviews, good advice and tips, nerdy but not overly so. Particularly recommended for beginners in wildlife photography. For them there is much to learn here. For others it’s just fun to listen to a knowledgeable speaker and I glean something every time. Well worth the time!

NCDaja · Sep 2024

Just listened to the homage to the 70-200mm. I wasn’t aware that all the manufacturers treat that lens as the flagship their whole line will be judged by. But it seems to be exactly that. I shoot a Nikon D850 and Nikon’s 70-200mm f/2.8 FL ED gets nothing but praise from shooters. Sticker shock? Sure. But the performance does not disappoint. Thanks for the insights.

Phyz · Jun 2024

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Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Wild Photographer, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.

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