Wildlife and Adventure Photography

Send us Fan Mail
Have you ever thought about getting into photography, but felt overwhelmed by the choice of cameras, lenses and accessories? Or perhaps you've owned a camera for years but never really learned how to get the best from it.
In this episode, I explain why it's never too late to start photography — and why you don't need expensive equipment, complicated software or years of technical knowledge to begin taking photographs you're proud of.
We'll explore how to choose equipment based on what you want to photograph, the common buying mistakes that can waste your money, and why learning to use the camera you already own may be the best place to start.
I'll also explain one of photography's greatest advantages: you can see progress almost immediately. A small change in your viewpoint, composition or understanding of light can make a noticeable difference to your photographs, sometimes within minutes.
And don't worry about editing just yet. You can learn to take better photographs without mastering Lightroom, Photoshop or other editing software. Start by learning to see, experiment and understand what makes a photograph work. You can explore editing when you're ready.
Whether you're over 50 and starting a new interest, returning to photography after a break, or simply looking to improve your skills, this episode will help you take the first steps with confidence.
In this episode, you'll discover:
How to choose a camera based on what you want to photograph.
Why expensive equipment doesn't automatically produce better photographs.
Five common equipment mistakes to avoid.
What accessories are worth considering — and what can wait.
Why you can start improving your photography straight away.
Why you don't need to learn editing before you begin.
A simple 30-day plan to build your confidence and skills.
Your challenge: Identify three things you'd love to photograph, take your camera or smartphone out, and start experimenting. Don't wait until you have the perfect equipment or know everything there is to know.
Photography is a lifelong learning experience, and it's never too late to begin.
Explore my photography courses and learning resources at Graham Elliott Photography, including Discovering DSLR and Mirrorless Photography.
https://www.ge.photography
If you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who would love to get more from their photography.
It's time for another podcast...
... And... just before I go...
How would you like to improve your photography today?
If you would, I have a free PDF that takes you through 10 tips that you can apply immediately and, I hope, will create a positive change in your photography.
So, if that sounds like something you would like, please click here and get your download.
Have a great day
Support the show
Would you like a free ebook to help you with your photography?
Click here to get your free copy of "10 Simple Steps to Improve Your Photography Today".

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you have enjoyed it and found it useful, please consider a subscription. Most people don't subscribe, but those who do allow me to continue to produce this content. If you would like to subscribe, you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips, challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: graham@ge.photography
Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

Thank you for listening.

Send us Fan Mail
Finding wildlife to photograph is often the first and biggest challenge. But simply locating an animal isn't enough. How do you work out where it is likely to be, understand what it is doing and anticipate what it might do next?
In this episode, I take a look at the practical skills that can make wildlife photography more successful: tracking animals, reading signs in the landscape, understanding behaviour and developing the fieldcraft needed to observe wildlife without disturbing it.
We will look at how to identify promising locations, recognise tracks and other evidence of animal activity, interpret behavioural clues and anticipate those fleeting moments that can make a photograph special.
You'll also discover what wildlife photographers can learn from hunters' fieldcraft, including understanding wind direction, moving quietly, using natural cover and learning to be patient.
Whether you're photographing birds in your local woodland, searching for mammals in your own backyard or travelling to photograph wildlife in Africa, these techniques can help you spend less time searching aimlessly and more time making informed decisions in the field.
In this episode:
How to find wildlife by understanding habitat, food sources and daily routines.
What tracks, droppings, calls and other signs can tell you.
How to interpret animal behaviour and anticipate what might happen next.
Fieldcraft techniques for observing wildlife without disturbing it.
How patience and observation can improve your photographic opportunities.
A simple exercise to develop your wildlife observation skills.
The next time you head out with your camera, try looking beyond the photograph you want to take. Start by understanding the animal you hope to photograph.
Enjoying the podcast? Follow the show so you don't miss future episodes, and share it with a fellow photographer who wants to improve their wildlife photography.
It's time for another podcast...
... And... just before I go...
How would you like to improve your photography today?
If you would, I have a free PDF that takes you through 10 tips that you can apply immediately and, I hope, will create a positive change in your photography.
So, if that sounds like something you would like, please click here and get your download.
Have a great day
Support the show
Would you like a free ebook to help you with your photography?
Click here to get your free copy of "10 Simple Steps to Improve Your Photography Today".

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you have enjoyed it and found it useful, please consider a subscription. Most people don't subscribe, but those who do allow me to continue to produce this content. If you would like to subscribe, you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips, challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: graham@ge.photography
Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

Thank you for listening.

Send us Fan Mail
You have a good camera. You may even have some great lenses. But are you actually getting better at photography?
Sometimes the problem isn't your equipment. It's the habits and approaches that are holding you back.
In this episode, Graham Elliott looks at 10 common photography mistakes that can prevent photographers from improving—from beginners who are overwhelmed by their camera to more experienced photographers who have fallen into habits that limit their creativity.
You'll discover why it's important to:
Stop trying to learn everything at once
Think about the photograph before thinking about camera settings
Make your own creative decisions rather than relying entirely on the camera
Photograph with intention rather than simply taking hundreds of images
Pay attention to the background as well as your subject
Change your viewpoint instead of always photographing from the same position
Stop chasing technical perfection
Avoid comparing your photography with everyone else's
Review your photographs critically to understand what worked and what didn't
Practise deliberately rather than simply taking more photographs
Graham also explores an important distinction between taking photographs and practising photography.
Taking more photographs doesn't necessarily make you a better photographer. Deliberately setting yourself a photographic problem to solve can be far more effective.
The good news is that you don't need to fix all ten mistakes at once.
Start by identifying the one that is holding you back the most.
TAKE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY FURTHER
If you're ready to put what you're learning into practice, Graham's 14-Day Photography Challenge gives you a structured way to develop your photography through practical exercises.
👉 Take the 14-day challenge here
And if you'd like to develop a deeper understanding of photography, camera settings, composition and photographic decision-making, explore Graham's photography courses.
👉 Choose your course here
Better photography isn't necessarily about better equipment. It's about making better decisions, developing better habits and deliberately practising your craft.
It's time for another podcast...
... And... just before I go...
How would you like to improve your photography today?
If you would, I have a free PDF that takes you through 10 tips that you can apply immediately and, I hope, will create a positive change in your photography.
So, if that sounds like something you would like, please click here and get your download.
Have a great day
Support the show
Would you like a free ebook to help you with your photography?
Click here to get your free copy of "10 Simple Steps to Improve Your Photography Today".

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you have enjoyed it and found it useful, please consider a subscription. Most people don't subscribe, but those who do allow me to continue to produce this content. If you would like to subscribe, you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips, challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: graham@ge.photography
Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

Thank you for listening.

Send us Fan Mail
Stop letting your camera make all the decisions. So, what settings should you use for a photograph?
It sounds like a simple question—but it's often the wrong place to start.
In this episode, Graham Elliott looks at five important camera decisions and explains why better photography isn't about memorising the "right" settings. It's about understanding what you want your photograph to look like and then choosing the settings that help you achieve it.
Should you use a fast or slow shutter speed? How much depth of field do you need? When should you increase ISO? Which autofocus approach is appropriate? And does using Manual mode really make you a better photographer?
Graham explores these questions and introduces a simple 10-second decision-making process you can use before pressing the shutter.
You'll learn how to think about:
Shutter speed and whether you want to freeze or show movement
Aperture and how much of the scene you want to appear sharp
ISO and the trade-offs between exposure and image quality
Autofocus and how to make sure you're focusing on what matters
Choosing the exposure mode that gives you the right control
How light influences the photograph you're trying to create
Why Manual mode isn't automatically better
Why buying more sophisticated equipment doesn't necessarily make you a better photographer
The key lesson is simple:
Don't start with your camera settings. Start with the photograph you want to make.
Graham has also created a free Photography Decision-Making Cheat Sheet to accompany this episode. It provides a simple reference you can use whenever you're unsure which settings or controls to consider.
Download the free Photography Decision-Making Cheat Sheet and start making more deliberate photographic decisions.
And if you're ready to develop a deeper understanding of photography rather than simply learning which buttons to press, explore Graham's photography courses.
Better photography starts with better decisions—not more complicated settings.
It's time for another podcast...
... And... just before I go...
How would you like to improve your photography today?
If you would, I have a free PDF that takes you through 10 tips that you can apply immediately and, I hope, will create a positive change in your photography.
So, if that sounds like something you would like, please click here and get your download.
Have a great day
Support the show
Would you like a free ebook to help you with your photography?
Click here to get your free copy of "10 Simple Steps to Improve Your Photography Today".

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you have enjoyed it and found it useful, please consider a subscription. Most people don't subscribe, but those who do allow me to continue to produce this content. If you would like to subscribe, you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips, challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: graham@ge.photography
Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

Thank you for listening.

Send us Fan Mail
You've taken the photograph, but when you look at it afterwards, it isn't as sharp as you expected.
Before you blame your camera or lens, there are seven common photography mistakes you should check first.
In this episode, Graham Elliott explains why photographs can look soft, covering shutter speed, camera movement, subject movement, autofocus, depth of field, camera technique and post-processing.
But sharpness isn't simply about focus.
You'll also learn about the difference between technical sharpness and perceived sharpness, and why factors such as edge contrast, lighting and the contrast between your subject and its background can influence how sharp a photograph appears.
Whether you're photographing wildlife, people, landscapes or everyday subjects, this episode will help you diagnose the problem rather than simply assuming you need better equipment.
You'll learn:
• Why your shutter speed may not be fast enough
• The difference between camera movement and subject movement
• Why autofocus can focus on the wrong part of the scene
• How depth of field affects sharpness
• What image stabilisation can—and cannot—do
• How your camera technique can introduce blur
• Why high-contrast edges can make a photograph appear sharper
• The difference between technical and perceived sharpness
• What post-processing can and cannot repair
Free photography resource
Download Graham's 7-Point Photography Sharpness Checklist and use it to diagnose your photographs before blaming your equipment.
And if you'd like to develop a deeper understanding of your camera and learn how to make better photographic decisions, explore Graham's photography courses.
The next time a photograph isn't sharp, don't immediately ask, "Do I need a better camera?" Ask instead: "Why isn't it sharp?"
It's time for another podcast...
... And... just before I go...
How would you like to improve your photography today?
If you would, I have a free PDF that takes you through 10 tips that you can apply immediately and, I hope, will create a positive change in your photography.
So, if that sounds like something you would like, please click here and get your download.
Have a great day
Support the show
Would you like a free ebook to help you with your photography?
Click here to get your free copy of "10 Simple Steps to Improve Your Photography Today".

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you have enjoyed it and found it useful, please consider a subscription. Most people don't subscribe, but those who do allow me to continue to produce this content. If you would like to subscribe, you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips, challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: graham@ge.photography
Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

Thank you for listening.