Alaska’s epic landscapes offer some of the world’s most beautiful photo backdrops. Lindblad Expeditions has been taking travelers to the region’s wildest corners for more than 40 years, providing incredible opportunities to capture all of the majesty up close.
If you’re thinking about taking a photography trip to Alaska, you’ll want to be prepared. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a hobbyist looking to improve your skills, here are some essential tips and gear recommendations as well as some expert advice from National Geographic Photography Expert Rich Reid to make the most of your Alaska photography cruise.
Alaska Cruise Photography Tips
Taking a photography cruise in Alaska offers countless opportunities to capture the natural beauty and wildlife of this stunning region. The following essential tips will help you have the best possible Alaskan adventure and return home with incredible photos.
Plan for All Weather Conditions:
Alaska's weather can be highly variable. Make sure you have waterproof and windproof clothing, as well as protective covers for your camera gear. Being prepared will help you stay comfortable and ready to shoot in any weather.
Maximize Golden Hours:
Take advantage of the long days and extended golden hours during the Alaskan summer. The soft light during sunrise and sunset provides ideal conditions for landscape photography. According to Reid, “The late evenings and early mornings—10 to 11 o’clock at night and three to four in the morning—offer some of the most magical light, and sometimes it last for hours.”
Benefit from Small Ship Access:
Traveling on a small expedition ship allows you to explore areas where larger vessels can’t go, giving you better opportunities for close-up wildlife photography. Expedition ships are typically equipped with fleets of Zodiacs that can reach even more secluded spots, bringing you closer to the action and allowing for intimate and unique photo opportunities.
Be Ready for Wildlife:
Alaska is teeming with wildlife, from bears and moose on land to whales and sea otters in the water. The key to documenting wildlife is being ready with your camera engaged. You can increase your odds of success by setting your camera to burst mode, then pre-focus where the action is likely to happen.
A telephoto lens is a handy tool for capturing encounters from a safe distance without disturbing the animals. However, smartphones can also produce great wildlife shots, especially with optimized settings. Be aware of your smartphone’s capabilities as they relate to wildlife photography. Experiment with different filters, such as black-and-white options, and move closer to animal subjects rather than relying on digital zoom.
Use a Tripod:
A sturdy tripod is essential for sharp landscape shots, especially in low light or when using a slow shutter speed to capture the movement of water. However, Reid warns that there is a balance between practicality and functionality when it comes to tripods. “You have to be willing to carry it. A nice alternative is a mono pod, which doubles as a walking stick and is especially helpful if you're navigating in and out of rugged terrain or icy conditions.”
Experiment with Perspectives:
Don’t just stick to shooting from the ship's deck. Explore different angles and vantage points, whether it's from a kayak, a small boat or even a flightseeing tour for aerial shots.
Learn from Expert Photo Instructors and Workshops on Every National Geographic-Lindblad Expedition
Every Alaska expedition with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions offers an unprecedented service: a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions certified photo instructor on board. These photo instructors are naturalists specially trained to coach you in getting the most out of your camera.
Reid describes the onboard photography program as the cornerstone of the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions collaboration. “Photography really enhances your knowledge of a destination because it requires you to be curious. To capture a great image, you really want to understand what you’re photographing and that’s where these naturalists and certified photo instructors come in.”
They assist all photo enthusiasts, particularly beginner and intermediate photographers, in understanding their camera’s settings, elements of composition and use of light—skills that will enhance your photography for a lifetime. You'll have the chance to shoot close-ups of Alaskan fauna in action—from a breaching humpback whale to a coastal brown bear on the hunt for salmon—and get expert tips for photographing small-town life in charming fishing villages.
Having a dedicated photo instructor on every trip means you can confidently tackle the unique challenges of Alaskan photography. Whether you're aiming to perfect a wide-angle landscape shot of towering glaciers or freeze-frame the dynamic motion of a breaching whale, the instructors provide personalized guidance to help you achieve your goals.
This unique feature of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions ensures that you not only experience the breathtaking beauty of Alaska but also return home with stunning photographs that capture the essence of your voyage. It’s the expedition of a lifetime, enhanced by the knowledge and support of professional photo instructors.
Alaska Cruise Photography Gear Checklist
Preparing for an Alaskan photography adventure requires thoughtful selection of the right gear to ensure you capture the stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife in all their glory. The unique and often challenging conditions of Alaska, from its variable weather to its breathtaking but rugged terrains, demand that photographers come well-equipped.
Ships in the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Alaska fleet are equipped with gear that guests can field test. Reid explains, “Each ship has an OM System Gear Locker, stocked with high-quality gear that you can try out while you’re exploring.” However, most travelers will still want to bring their own equipment; having a smartphone or camera on hand at all times will help maximize your photographic opportunities.
Here is a quick Alaskan photo gear checklist that will guide you through the essential items you'll need, from camera bodies and lenses to filters and protective gear, ensuring that you’re ready to make the most of every shot on your expedition.
Camera Body:
You can capture Alaska with anything from a smartphone to a GoPro to a mirrorless camera. According to Reid, “You don’t need a special camera to photograph the beauty of Alaska, you just need to know how to use the one you do have.”
Backup Camera Body:
Bringing a backup camera body or smartphone ensures you’re not left without a camera in case of a malfunction, allowing you to continue shooting without interruption.
Lenses:
If you’re serious about capturing close-ups of Alaska's diverse wildlife, you may want to travel with a telephoto lens that allows you to shoot detailed photographs of animals like bears, whales and eagles from a safe and respectful distance. Opt for a lens with a focal length of at least 300mm to ensure you can achieve sharp, detailed images even when the wildlife is far away.
Other lenses to consider:
- Wide-angle lens: Perfect for capturing expansive landscapes and seascapes
- Telephoto lens: Ideal for wildlife photography and distant subjects
- Macro lens: Great for close-up shots of flora and small details
Lens Hoods:
A lens hood helps to reduce lens flare and protect the front element of your lens from rain, dust and accidental impacts.
Filters:
Using filters can significantly enhance your Alaskan photography, especially in varying light conditions. A polarizing filter reduces glare and enhances colors, making skies and water more vivid, while a neutral density (ND) filter allows for long exposure shots, creating smooth, dynamic images of waterfalls and flowing rivers.
Tripod:
A compact, sturdy tripod is crucial for stability, particularly in windy conditions or on uneven terrain. A monopod is a nice lightweight alternative for excursions.
Binoculars:
Binoculars are invaluable for spotting wildlife and scouting distant subjects before setting up your shot, giving you a better chance to prepare and capture the perfect photo.
Extra Batteries and Memory Cards:
The cold weather can quickly drain batteries, and you'll want plenty of storage for the hundreds of photos you're bound to take each day.
Lens Cleaning Kit:
A lens cleaning kit, including a blower, microfiber cloths and cleaning solution, is essential for maintaining your lenses and camera sensors, especially in dusty or wet conditions.
Backup Storage Device:
A portable external hard drive or a high-capacity USB drive for backing up your photos daily, ensuring you don’t lose any precious memories due to a corrupted memory card.
Spare Lens Caps and Body Caps:
Having extra lens and body caps on hand ensures your equipment stays protected when switching lenses in the field.
Waterproof Bags and Rain Covers:
Protect your gear from rain and sea spray with waterproof bags and rain covers.
Learn from Expert Photo Instructors and Workshops on Every National Geographic-Lindblad Expedition
While every Alaska voyage with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions highlights photography on board, certain departures are designated specifically as photo expeditions. On these select photography tours, your National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions certified photo instructor will be joined by a National Geographic Photography Expert. Together they’ll provide a program that feels like an immersive Alaska photo workshop, with multiple photo presentations and editing sessions.
Each day’s activities are designed to maximize the best photographic conditions and take advantage of prime golden hours—sunrise and sunset. Small expedition ships and Zodiac excursions grant you access to unique, intimate locations far from the typical Alaska cruise ports, enhancing your opportunities to photograph Alaska's stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife up close.
You’ll also have access to an exclusive pre-voyage photography webinar, where an expert team will cover lenses, filters and beyond in more depth. And you'll receive a special discount on photo gear at OM System to ensure you are thoroughly equipped for your voyage.
Whether you choose a dedicated Alaska photography cruise or a classic Alaska expedition, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions ensures you’ll enhance your skills and create unforgettable photographic memories.
Alaska Photo Workshops and Tours with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
Consider joining an Alaska photo workshop or a photography tour with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. These itineraries sail aboard small expedition ships which can navigate into areas where larger ships can’t go, allowing you to get closer to wildlife and capture better photos.
Each expedition includes a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions certified photo instructor who provides expert coaching on camera settings, composition and lighting techniques. Small ships and Zodiac excursions grant you access to unique, intimate locations far from the typical Alaska cruise ports [LINK TO: Alaska Cruise Ports when it is live], enhancing your opportunities to photograph Alaska's stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.
You’ll also have access to an exclusive pre-voyage photography webinar, where an expert team will cover lenses, filters and beyond in more depth.And you'll receive a special discount on photo gear at OM System to ensure you are thoroughly equipped for your voyage.
Whether you choose a dedicated Alaska photography cruise or a land-based trip, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions ensures you’ll enhance your skills and create unforgettable photographic memories.
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