Beyond the Wild

• Episode 39

  Yellowstone has produced many great adventures for Jason Loftus, but the wolves of Yellowstone have evaded his camera and lens - until now. Jason shares his recent mindblowing adventures in Yellowstone National Park where he photographed over 15 different wolves along with coyotes, foxes, eagles, elk and bison. It was also a big video trip for Jason, and he, Ron and Mark shared insights about winter wildlife behavior, the thrill of capturing wolves in action, and the importance of photography etiquette in public spaces. The conversation highlights the beauty of nature, the challenges of wildlife encounters, and the camaraderie among photographers in the field. This episode also digs into some of the recent new lens announcements, which spark excitement about the latest advancements in photography equipment. The conversation also touches on the excitement of planning future photography challenges, and wide-angle wildlife photography is on the menu with the potential for a future challenge involving listeners. This is a great episode to listen to but an even better episode to watch on YouTube. Please subscribe to be alerted of more great episodes. Sound Bites"It's been a real winter.""It's hard to explain.""It's a numbers game.""That one day makes a whole trip.""It's a dream opportunity.""We all could just do better.""Winter's a great time to go up there.""New gear is always fun.""Be patient with your editing.""Enjoy the photography experience.""You've got the best job in the world.""It sounds like a Ron story.""Failure is part of success.""The rules are there are no rules.""It's coming."Chapters00:00 Introduction and Winter Updates03:08 Wildlife Encounters and Photography Adventures06:03 Experiences in Yellowstone National Park12:09 The Thrill of Wolf Photography18:12 Wildlife Behavior Observations24:03 Photography Etiquette and Road Safety34:46 Respect and Kindness in Photography35:51 Winter Adventures and Wildlife Encounters38:29 Weather Challenges and Wildlife Photography39:00 New Gear Announcements and Excitement47:52 Pro Tips for Patience in Photography54:02 Philosophical Reflections on the Photography Journey55:47 Innovative Photography Techniques01:00:15 Learning from Failures01:05:31 The Power of Wide-Angle Shots01:11:10 Planning for Future ChallengesThanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

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• Episode 38

  We couldn't fit all our listeners' questions in last time, so we are back for part II with even trickier, thought-provoking inquiries for Ron, Jason, and Mark. They explore the dilemma of choosing a single subject to photograph for life, fears surrounding memory card failures, strategies for selling prints, memorable wildlife encounters, lens selection, and dream behaviors to capture in the wild. The discussion is filled with humor and camaraderie, making it both informative and entertaining.Sound Bites "You're going to be screwed in the spring." "It's kind of a bunch of BS." "It's a dilemma." "It's a constant battle." "You have to be super careful." "It's meant to impress people." "It's a personal choice." "It's not a fair question." "You still have the option." "Thank you for sending it in, Jason." "I'm more fearful of a lot of things." "Bears are where the wild things are." "I take them all." "I would like a pan blur cheetah in full sprint."Chapters00:00 Understanding AI Tool Pricing and Credits 03:05 The Dilemma of Photo Theft in Wildlife Photography 05:58 Listener Questions: Engaging with the Community 09:11 Navigating Copyright and Image Sharing 11:58 Shooting Wildlife in Challenging Conditions 14:48 Choosing Your Subject: A Photographer's Dilemma 33:50 The Quest for the Perfect Shot 37:00 Memory Card Fears and Backup Strategies 46:01 Navigating Print Sales in Photography 52:54 Memorable Wildlife Encounters 01:00:05 Choosing the Right Lens for the Job 01:07:59 Dream Behaviors to CaptureQuestions and IG Links@JohnRay_PhotographyImage theft: Are you contemplating not posting on social media?@Brian_Michaelis_PhotographyCan you share some shooting tips for photographing wildlife in falling snow?@Hunting_with_a_Lens (Jason Mirandi)For each one of you, you can only shoot one species for the rest of your life. Which species would you choose?@PJAdventuresinCanada (Peter and Jen)How fearful are you that your memory cards will fail and what do you do to protect your best pics?@Keri_Jones_Photography Which platforms have you found to be the most successful at selling prints and artwork?@SackettWildlifeImages (Shaun Sackett)What has been one of your other great experiences, excluding bears, while observing bears?@1_foot_shorter (Brandt Bennett)How do you determine what lenses to take?@She_BehindtheLens (Megan)What is your dream animal behavior to capture on camera?Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

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  1:22:45
• Episode 37

  In this episode of Beyond the Wild, hosts Ron, Jason, and Mark welcome Cam Scott, a nature photographer and guide from South Africa. The crew explore Cam's journey into nature photography, the life changes he made to pursue his passion, and the profound impact of nature on personal growth. Cam shares his experiences with a wide range of animals, including mountain gorillas, jaguars, leopards, lions, elephants and shoe-billed storks. Cam shares his views on the art of guiding and the challenges he faced in launching his own business during the pandemic. The discussion emphasizes the importance of a positive attitude and the joy of wildlife encounters. Cam and the crew delve into the intricate relationships between humans and wildlife, particularly focusing on gorillas and the impact of tourism on conservation efforts. They share personal anecdotes of memorable wildlife encounters, discuss the importance of understanding animal behavior, and highlight the unique experiences offered by locations like Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe. Sound Bites"I was up at 3 a.m. I thought I would look like a car wreck.""I never looked back.""You have to go through it.""I want to photograph early morning lights.""You can see it the moment you lock eyes.""It's a phenomenal experience.""I just want to go back to Rwanda.""Tourism has saved these gorillas.""It's not just seeing a gorilla.""The lighting is absolutely phenomenal.""Anything's possible in Africa.""It's a beautiful day to be alive."Chapters03:04 Cam's Journey into Nature Photography06:12 Life Changes and Career Shifts08:48 The Impact of Nature on Personal Growth12:11 Experiences with Mountain Gorillas15:00 The Art of Guiding and Manifesting Experiences18:02 Challenges and Triumphs in Business20:48 The Power of Positive Attitude24:05 Wildlife Encounters and Photography26:59 The Fascinating Shoe-Billed Stork38:00 Confrontation and Respect in the Animal Kingdom39:01 Understanding Gorilla Behavior and Communication39:49 The Connection Between Humans and Nature41:13 The Importance of Gorilla Tourism for Conservation42:06 The Role of Tourism in Supporting Local Communities42:48 Experiencing Wildlife: The Thrill of Close Encounters46:09 The Sounds of Nature: A Sensory Experience51:00 Memorable Outdoor Encounters57:51 Exploring Monopools: A Photographer's Paradise01:05:02 Accommodations and Immersive Experiences in Africa01:12:55 Planning Your African AdventureLINKSCam Scott@CamScott_WildThe Best Of Authentic ZimbabweTour Opportunity: September 22-30th 2025https://itineraries.safariportal.app/The-Best-of-Authentic-Zimbabwe/1338943500867078002Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

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  1:22:45
• Episode 36

  In this engaging conversation, the hosts Ron Hayes, Jason Loftus, and Mark Raycroft reconnect with fellow pro photographer Joe Subolefsky and delve into their experiences with wildlife photography, travel adventures, and the personal connections formed through their journeys. They discuss the challenges and joys of photographing wildlife in various locations, including the Pantanal, and share stories about naming animals and the emotional ties that come with it. The transition to full-time photography is explored, highlighting the richness of relationships built through shared experiences in nature. Joe shares numerous practical tips for traveling, including navigating language barriers and the responsibilities that come with guiding clients in foreign countries. In this engaging conversation, the speakers share humorous anecdotes from their wildlife photography experiences, discuss the importance of understanding animal behavior, and provide insights into managing group dynamics during photography trips. They also explore the challenges of wildlife photography, the evolution of camera technology, the significance of educating others about wildlife ethics, and they reflect on their favorite wildlife encounters.Sound Bites"You can do it with any smart TV.""I'm richer than I've ever been.""It's a magical place down there.""I named it after my father.""It can be stressful at times.""A sweaty guy naked at the door?""Life's about choices sometimes.""It's not just identifying the tracks.""We need to put the animals first.""It's a balancing act if you have a mix.""It's life's full of diversity.""It's a small world in photography.""It's a lot tougher than people think.""Doing it right is not cheap.""The focus system is unbelievable."Chapters02:59 Photography and Travel Experiences06:05 Wildlife Encounters and Unique Locations09:05 The Pantanal and Its Challenges11:59 Naming Wildlife: A Personal Connection14:51 The Transition to Full-Time Photography17:51 Building Relationships Through Travel20:56 Navigating Language Barriers in Travel27:00 Funny Stories from the Field29:59 Camera Gear Mishaps and Hacks33:59 The Importance of Animal Behavior40:06 Educating Others in Wildlife Photography46:10 Balancing Expectations in Group Photography50:48 Favorite Wildlife Photography Experiences01:02:33 Navigating the Challenges of Photography Tours01:06:10 The Evolution of Camera Technology01:12:12 New Developments in National Park Photography Regulations01:15:02 Looking Ahead: Future Adventures and CollaborationsLinksJOE SUBOLEFSKY@joe_subolefskySpecial thanks to @FroKnowsPhoto - Hiding AirTags in your camera bodies https://youtu.be/7v5rC2S4000?si=vUvyC6Y8Y1Ja2Lwy&t=419FILM ACT IS NOW LAWhttps://nanpa.org/2025/01/16/the-film-act-is-now-law-a-win-for-all-nanpa-members/Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

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  1:16:45
• Episode 35

  It's not every day that you get to meet such a diverse and knowledgable wildlife photographer like Eli Martinez. We are blessed in this episode to have Eli share his thrilling and unique experience of capturing a large mating group of sperm whales near Dominica Island. This rare occurrence was captured just weeks ago on Jan. 29, 2025, and Eli describes how lucky he was on this recent trip. But that's not all. Eli discusses many of his approaches to photographing the broad range of dangerous predators in water and on land, and you'll be surprised to hear and see what he and his tour company are able to achieve and the level of interaction he has with these potentially dangerous animals. Eli discusses the challenges of photographing shy creatures like anacondas and the importance of debunking many of the myths surrounding predatory animals. Eli also reflects on his upcoming adventures and the significance of sharing these experiences with the world. In this engaging conversation, Eli Martinez shares his thrilling experiences in wildlife photography, transitioning from underwater adventures to capturing land predators. He discusses the challenges of high-altitude photography, the importance of respecting wildlife, and the invaluable role of guides in spotting elusive animals. The conversation also touches on the excitement of marine life encounters and the significance of time spent observing wildlife. Eli emphasizes the joy of unique experiences and the connections formed through his adventures while also providing practical advice for aspiring underwater photographers.Sound Bites"It's a privilege to work with these animals.""Witnessing a mating group of whales is magic.""Mating behavior is extremely rare to see.""Anacondas are very shy and prefer to hide.""The water clarity is a challenge for good images.""Capturing a photo of a tapir underwater is my dream.""I want to share the other side of these animals.""I hope someone deserving wins the bear camp giveaway.""It was a phenomenal experience to see those animals.""We saw the cats four out of nine days.""The guides are priceless in finding those cats.""The recovery in Tonga is going really well.""You don't really get to know them in a week.""People get tattoos of our logo, it's so special.""A GoPro is perfect for underwater photography."Chapters00:00 Reflections on the Pandemic and Travel Adventures02:56 Eli's Unique Experiences with Sperm Whales06:01 The Significance of Mating Behavior in Sperm Whales09:08 Exploring the Mystique of Anacondas11:55 The Challenge of Photographing Shy Creatures15:09 Debunking Myths About Predatory Animals18:01 Capturing the Beauty of Nature's Giants20:54 Upcoming Adventures and New Experiences40:36 Exploring New Adventures Together42:05 The Shift from Water to Land Predators44:57 Photography Techniques: Underwater vs. Land47:43 Challenges of High-Altitude Wildlife Photography50:51 Success in Capturing Snow Leopards54:40 The Importance of Social Media in Wildlife Photography56:44 Recovery in Tonga: A Personal Touch01:00:21 The Thrill of Marine Life Encounters01:01:38 The Value of Time in Wildlife Observation01:03:23 Cherishing Unique Experiences and Connections01:05:12 Essential Gear for Underwater PhotographyLinksInstagram: @SDMDivingWeb: www.sdmdiving.comFacebook: facebook.com/sdmdivingBear Camp Giveawayhttps://www.instagram.com/p/DFWXG04y8TY/Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

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