How to Take Pictures of Grizzly Bears in Alaska

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By mosscampion
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Take pictures of grizzly bears in Alaska

Alaska is photographer's paradise and a wonderful place to see grizzly bears in the wild. To take pictures of grizzly bears in Alaska you need to know where to find them, how to stay safe while photographing them, and what kind of equipment to use to get great photos. Read below for some useful tips on how to take pictures of grizzly bears in Alaska.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Take pictures of grizzly bears in Denali National Park

WHERE TO FIND GRIZZLIES: To take pictures of grizzly bears in Alaska, you first need to find them! Fortunately, grizzly bears abound and can be found in many locations throughout the state, including some major tourist areas. Hot spots include Denali National Park, Katmai National Park, and Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, among others. You can see grizzly bears fishing for salmon, foraging on the tundra, or even traveling with cubs.
Step 2

Never get between a mother grizzly and her cub

HOW TO STAY SAFE: To take pictures of grizzly bears in Alaska safely, it is important to behave appropriatly around these large and potentially dangerous animals. Never approach grizzly bears. Try to stay back at least 300 feet, but preferably further. If you can, stay inside a vehicle. For example, at Denali National Park, you can safely view and take pictures of grizzly bears from your car or a park shuttle bus. Also make noise while you are hiking in the backcountry to find bears so that you do you not scare them. Never get between a mother grizzly bear and her cubs. Never attempt to feed a grizzly bear. Carry bear spray.
Step 3

Use a long zoom lens to take pictures of grizzly bears in Alaska

WHAT EQUIPMENT TO USE: To take pictures of grizzly bears in Alaska that are magazine-cover worthy, you really need to use some nice photographic equipment. Due to the necessary safety precautions mentioned in step 2, having a long zoom lens is ideal. A 500mm lens or higher would be advisable, allowing you to stay very far away from the grizzlies, yet still get good shots. Use a tripod to steady your camera. In some areas, it is possible to get closer to the bears without compromising your safety (like at a bear viewing area over a river or from within a vehicle). In these cases you can get away with a shorter zoom.

Comments

kkemp said

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on 1/21/2009 Great article!
5*'s

Wasatch said

on 1/20/2009 I spent 2 weeks in Alaska and loved it, but never got to a big bear area.

showpup said

on 1/19/2009 My son was stationed in Alaska (Army). Would have loved to visit him and take photos like those of grizzly bears. He's getting moved to Kentucky now though so guess I'll settle for the dangerous sport of photographing racing horses instead. :)