How to Photograph Polar Bears

Use caution whenever you are photographing wildlife, particularly when they are significantly larger than you.

Photographing wildlife can be an exciting and fulfilling hobby or profession. Depending on the type of wildlife you are photographing, special considerations need to be made for your safety and to protect your equipment from the natural elements. Photographing large animals, like polar bears, in their environment requires a significant amount of planning. A photographer must first be aware of the weather conditions, safety and the best time of year to photograph them.

Instructions

1. Determine the best time of year to photograph the polar bears. Often, some of the most endearing pictures will be mothers with their cubs. Research on the Internet or talk to a zoo official in your area and determine the best time of year to catch this event.

2. Contact an Arctic guide company that offer tours to see these bears. You need have an understanding of how close you will be as well as the specific weather conditions. Cold weather will quickly rob a camera battery of its power. If you are shooting from a vehicle, you need to know if the vehicle has a power option where you can plug in a charger.

3. Determine the type of equipment you will need. You will need a telephoto lens to be able to fill your viewfinder with the bears and their cubs. If you have a telephoto lens, take it out to a football field, position yourself at center field and photograph the uprights in the end zone. This should help you determine if your lens has enough power to obtain a good enough picture. Consider adding a teleconverter to your lens to extend its telephoto abilities or look into renting a larger telephoto lens.

4. Research shooting conditions, including exposure considerations when photographing in the Arctic. When shooting in an area that is largely covered with snow, you will need to over expose your picture. Camera meters work on reflective light, a large white region will cause your camera to underexpose the scene unless you override this on your camera.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow the advice of the Arctic guide company for equipment and what to wear. They will have experience in working with photographers and can provide good advice.

• Photographing any wild animal can present unforeseen dangers. Photographing animals, like polar bears, can be extremely dangerous if proper precautions are not followed. Work with a guide or company familiar with these animals and follow their advice to the letter.

References

• NaturallyWild: