Episode 55
Sharing success stories is easy, but sharing failures is tough on the ego. In this episode of Beyond the Wild, our modest hosts set aside their desire for perfection to reflect on some of the moments they are least proud of, in an episode titled 'Epic Fails in the Field: Lessons Learned.' They discuss missed opportunities, gear failures, and the importance of preparation in the field. The conversation highlights the humorous side of failures and the valuable lessons they offer. Join us for a familiar ride filled with laughs, and hopefully, you'll pick up some lessons the easy way.
Episode 54
In this episode of Beyond the Wild, the hosts reconnect after a break. Ron and Jason share their experiences with the new Canon RF 100-300 mm f/2.8 lens and teleconverters before delving into the focus of the episode, which is photographing wild sheep. They discuss their recent adventures, the gear they use, and the techniques they employ for capturing stunning images of wild sheep. The conversation delves into the behavior of sheep, safety considerations while photographing in mountainous terrain, and the importance of preparation. The hosts also reflect on memorable encounters with sheep and the joy of sharing these experiences with others.
Episode 53
In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, the hosts welcome wildlife photographer Danny Coyne, who shares his journey into wildlife photography, the therapeutic benefits of being in nature, and the importance of community engagement and conservation efforts. The conversation delves into the role of social media in wildlife photography, the importance of citizen science, and personal experiences with wildlife encounters, including encounters with lynx and bobcats. Danny emphasizes the need for patience and connection with nature, while also discussing the impact of sharing experiences through photography.
Episode 52
In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, hosts Mark and Jason welcome back wildlife photographer Taylor Thomas Albright for a second discussion. They explore Taylor's recent adventures in Alaska, including encounters with orcas, gray whales, and the unique spirit bear. The conversation delves into Taylor's conservation efforts, including participation in fundraisers like '100 for the Ocean' and 'Remembering Wildlife.' They also discuss the importance of wildlife photography in raising awareness for conservation and share memorable stories about polar bears, brown bears, and wolves. The episode concludes with Taylor's plans for future adventures and a reminder of the significance of supporting wildlife conservation efforts.
Episode 51
This episode's focus is a returning guest, Deirdre Rosenberg, who explores various themes related to wildlife photography, public lands, and environmental advocacy. Her work and her stories are nothing short of beautiful. Host Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus conclude that Deirdre deserves an honorary PhD and a World Record for her work documenting the public lands and mountain ranges of the Rocky Mountains. Our hosts also touch on the recent Pictureline PhotoEx event talks and the new Canon 100-300 f2.8 RF lens. Deirdre shares her current projects, including her work with Pika colonies and her Wild Hearts of Canyonlands project, while also reflecting on her experiences with wildlife encounters and the significance of capturing unique moments in nature, such as the Northern Lights. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and action regarding public lands and wildlife conservation, encouraging listeners to engage with these critical issues.
Episode 50
Welcome to a very special episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast. Not only is it our 50th episode, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate all Fathers out there and share some stories straight from the minds of our hosts’ children. We hope you enjoy this Father’s Day episode.
Episode 19
In this pro-tip podcast episode, host Ron Hayes teases the rest of the beyond the wild crew with his freshly delivered Canon EOS R5 Mark II camera. The discussion quickly dives into the new camera’s top features, and Ron already has some learnings with the Mark II including tips on selecting the best battery grip option. As Pro-Tips episode go, Jason Loftus, Mark Raycroft and Ron Hayes show up overloaded with tips on all aspects of photography. Half the battle with wildlife photography is getting to the ideal location and travel is a necessity and a pain. The BTW crew has travelled a lot to distant locations and they have some good tips and tricks to limit the pain of travel and help you arrive primed for the adventure ahead. They also delve into tips about extending CF Express card longevity, gear organization, and a plethora of ideas on how to be prepared for capture the perfect shot.
Episode 18
Summary
In this conversation, Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus discuss their first impressions of the Canon R5 Mark II camera. They highlight the improvements in design, ergonomics, and functionality, detailing the redesigned grip, and the addition of a pre-record feature to the video mode. They also discuss the new focusing system, write speeds, dynamic range and video capabilities. The conversation segues into answering listener questions, including a discussion about food prep for backcountry trips, the team’s thoughts on where to best podcast platforms for the show and lenses for Alaska and the pros and cons. The crew ends the episode by answering a great question, “What is everyone’s bucket list destination.” Of course, the team goes into great detail, so you’ll get various perspectives in this episode.
Episode 17
Summary
In this episode hosts Mark Raycroft and Jason Loftus interview Deirdre Rosenberg, a conservation photographer, shares her love for nature and photography. Growing up in northern Minnesota, surrounded by wilderness and adventure, her passion for photography started at a young age. Deirdre's photography journey began in action sports photography but shifted to her calling: wildlife and nature conservation photography and type-2 fun, which is the joy and fulfillment that comes from challenging and difficult experiences. Deirdre has a deep appreciation for the little things in nature, like pikas, and encourages others to slow down and observe the beauty around them. In this conversation, Deirdre Rosenberg shares her passion for wildlife photography and her love for capturing images of the American pika. She discusses the behavior and habitat of pikas and provides tips for photographing them. Deirdre also talks about her conservation efforts and raising funds efforts for land and wildlife conservation. She shares her experiences on backcountry trips and the importance of being immersed in the wilderness.
Episode 16
Summary
In this episode of Beyond the Wild, host Mark Raycroft relays all the details of his recent trip to Australia. But before he can get into his experiences, Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus steal the spotlight with discussions about the new Canon EOS R5 Mark II and EOS RI. The guys then discuss various topics, including travel experiences, car rentals, and the upcoming release of new camera technology. The conversation is light-hearted and informative, providing travel tips and insights. The beauty of Australia comes to life in Mark’s essay on this diverse and enlightening continent. The conversation covered various topics, including wildlife in Australia, bird photography, and whale watching. The hosts shared their experiences and observations, highlighting Australia’s unique natural history and biodiversity. They also discussed the use of smartphones for photography and the importance of giving oneself time to adjust to jet lag when traveling to distant destinations.
Episode 15
Summary
Welcome to the first-ever LIVE recording of the Beyond the Wild Podcast, where hosts Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus presented at the pictureline.com PhotoX Outdoor event in Salt Lake City, Utah and answered wildlife photography questions from the studio audience. Our hosts were joined by wildlife photographers Daniel Lindhardt and Jimmy Breitenstein. In this fireside chat environment, the four experienced wildlife photographers tackle some of the toughest questions impacting outdoor photography and the conservation of our wild spaces. But the conversation quickly shifts to guidance on where to start finding wildlife, how to recognize locations that hold animals, and how to translate that information to help you find your own hotspots. The panel also tell some great photography-trip horror stories.
Episode 14
Summary
In this episode, hosts Ron Hayes, Jason Loftus, and Mark Raycroft interview Jules Jacobs, a wildlife photographer who has bridged the gap between the pure science of oceanography and the real-world changes our oceans are experiencing. His photography and editorial have captured the world's attention in the Smithsonian and New York Times. The discussion in this episode is heavily focused on the impact of human activities on ecosystems but quest Jules Jacobs also details underwater photography tips. Jules shares his journey from photographing seahorses in his aquarium to becoming an underwater photographer. They also discuss the importance of storytelling in conservation photography and the need to raise awareness about the biodiversity crisis. The conversation covers themes such as urban wildlife, rodenticides and their impact on predators, and the adaptability of wildlife. They also touch on the challenges and rewards of underwater photography and the thrill of encountering marine life in their natural habitat. Jules Jacobs shares his experiences and insights into the world of underwater photography. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of capturing wildlife underwater, emphasizing the importance of getting close to the subjects and finding local spots to explore. Jules also shares a personal story of a diving accident that led him to focus on photographing intertidal creatures and discovering the world of fluorescence. He highlights the significance of building relationships with scientists and using photography to contribute to conservation efforts. Jules provides tips for aspiring underwater photographers, including finding a subject, experimenting with different techniques, and gradually transitioning to more advanced equipment.
Episode 13
In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, host Mark Raycroft discusses Jason Loftus’ upcoming trip to Africa and his preparations for this epic wildlife photography. It’s a trip that can easily sidetrack any photographer’s conversation, but the spotlight in this episode is guest Kevin Konitshek’s unique wild cat quest in Colorado. Kevin has captured incredible, rarely-seen images of these wild animals in their natural habitat exhibiting iconic behaviour. Kevin shares his passion for wildlife photography and his recent project to capture images of all three wild cat species in Colorado: bobcat, mountain lion and the elusive lynx. He explains the challenges and environmental factors affecting the lynx population in Colorado and the importance of camera trapping in capturing unique and dynamic images. The conversation also touches on the management of wildlife populations and the need for science-based decision-making. Kevin Konitshek discusses his camera trap setup for wildlife photography, including the equipment he uses and the cost of the setup. He also shares tips for setting up the camera traps in different weather conditions and terrain, along with the challenges and successes he has encountered in his passion project to capture images of these top predators. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the behavior and patterns of the animals to increase the chances of capturing compelling images. Kevin shares his passion for winter wildlife photography the extreme dificulty and work effort required to make these unique opportunities. The conversation also touches on the tragic loss of a young wildlife photographer, Carson Hughes, and the importance of cherishing every moment in life.
Episode 12
Summary
In this episode, Ron Hayes, Jason Loftus and Mark Raycroft’s primary goal was to answer Listener questions, but they quickly get lost catching up on past trips and discussing the ethical questions around image manipulation and the newly developing confounding factor of AI-generated images on social media. They also delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by new technology in the field of photography. The recent trip conversation covers Mark’s spring canoe adventure into Algonquin Park’s interior and Jason and Ron’s trip to Yellowstone, where they discuss the significance of shared nature experiences with family. But the piéce de résistance in this episode is the Listener questions which dive deep into the questions around photographers’ facial hair and aging, photography ruts, GoPro use and more. They also get a little more serious and discuss positive social media interactions and the importance of sharing positive encounters in wildlife photography.
Episode 11
Summary
In this episode, Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus are joined by fellow photographer Kelly Elmer to recount a recent trip to Costa Rica to photograph the diverse wildlife. Kelly and Jason planned the trip to visit different ecosystems and worked with a local contact to arrange their itinerary. They experienced a wide range of biodiversity, from toucans and macaws to vultures and bats. The trip included jungle walks with a guide who helped them spot and photograph various species, including the spectacled owl. Kelly primarily used a 600mm prime lens and a 400mm lens, while Jason used similar setups with Canon gear. They also brought macro lenses for photographing frogs and snakes and talked about their experiences photographing other wildlife like sloths and monkeys. They also mention the challenges and rewards of bird photography in Costa Rica. Overall, they had a great time and captured some amazing shots of the diverse wildlife in the country.