Unveiling Alaska
A Beginners Guide to Exploring Alaska From Behind the Lens
William Constantine
Disclaimer
Copyright © 2017 William J. Constantine,
All Rights Reserved.
Published in eBook format by Inspiring U Publications
Converted by http://www.eBookIt.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-6413-6311-2
No part of this eBook can be transmitted or reproduced in any form including print, electronic, photocopying, scanning, mechanical or recording devices without prior written permission from the author.
While the author has taken utmost efforts to ensure the accuracy of the written content, all readers are advised to follow information mentioned herein at their own risk. The author cannot be held responsible for any personal or commercial damage caused by misinterpretation of information. All readers are encouraged to seek professional advice when needed.
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, none of this would have been possible if it weren’t for Diane McDowell who saw my photography and decided to take a chance on bringing all this and more to life. Thanks for your friendship, continued support and belief in me, and for not just seeing something in me but doing something to help facilitate it.
Thanks to Denise Silva, who continues to be supportive of this venture.
Thanks to Joanie and Jeremy Miller for your constant encouragement and friendship.
To my friend, Holly Davidson, thank you for being you - the encouragement, support, and brainstorming sessions we’ve done.
Thanks to all my friends at the Clove Hitch for your friendship, insights, and seriously amazing food.
Thanks to Leah for all of your help and generosity.
Thanks to Rick Sammon, Art Wolfe, Moose Peterson, Joel Sartore, Adam Jones, Robert O’Toole, Dewitt Jones and the countless other photographer colleagues that continue to inspire me.
Thanks to Scott Kelby and all those at Photoshop User Magazine, Kelby One, and The Grid for non-stop education.
Dedication
“We are both the plague upon this earth, and the cure.” - William Constantine
This book is dedicated to those who share my passion for the world and all who dwell here. To organizations that strive to protect the voiceless, stand up for what is right, and make a difference to leave this world better than we found it.
And to My Children, may you find and appreciate the beauty of the world as I do.
Introduction
When you’re a beginner in photography, the prospect of traveling and exploring a new place can be electrifying. Exploring any city for the first time is an exhilarating experience, particularly for photographers. There’s so much to do and see that each moment seems precious. As is the case with any trip, you need to have a proper travel itinerary and ensure that you have the necessary resources available so that you don’t miss out on certain aspects.
For wildlife photographers, planning a trip can be different, and even more challenging, when heading out to a place like Alaska. If you’re exploring photography in Alaska for the first time then this eBook is for you. Written specifically for this purpose, join me as I share my experience in wildlife photography in Alaska. From tried and tested photography tips to helpful pointers on the photography equipment you’ll need; you can find all the information you require to help you in your Alaskan adventure.
Keep in mind that beginners to wildlife photography in Alaska are strongly advised to visit in the summer months. Until, and unless, you have indulged in wildlife photography in cold climates, it is not advisable to begin in winter. Alaska’s temperatures can easily drop to subzero temperatures, and there is a real risk of frost bite, landslides, avalanches and hypothermia associated with it. In such challenging weather and terrain, one small mistake can be the difference between life, serious injury, and even death. The experience is no less challenging in the summer months, but the weather is less harsh and you can also explore more areas with ease. While it is never possible to visit all the areas in Alaska in just one trip, I’ve taken the time to highlight which ones to consider visiting when you’re heading there for the first time. The pull of the wild is strong and magnetic in Alaska, and I can guarantee that you will come back here again and again.
Alaska’s terrain is renowned for being tough and hardy. This book can help you easily learn and understand various survival skills that will be crucial to keeping you safe and alive. As a bonus, this eBook also includes various high-quality photographs that I have amassed over the years indulging in wildlife photography. So, if you’re ready to explore the wilderness of Alaska and capture the untamable beauty here, start preparing for your journey with the help of this eBook.
Why Alaska?
As a person who loves photography and being outdoors, it was only natural for me to combine the two. I could say it was one of the main reasons that pushed me towards the field of wildlife photography. Alaska is a place that truly puts any outdoor person to the test. Yet, there is a heavy addiction to the wildlife in Alaska, and it is one of the reasons why I’ve chosen to explore here. I’ve been asked many times, “Why Alaska?”, to which I have always responded with, “Why not?”. I do understand that most wildlife photographers prefer the temperate, tropical climates in Africa and Asia. While I cannot deny the majestic beauty of a sunrise over the savannah, or the sun baked sands of the Sahara, Alaska’s cold peaks, harsh terrain, and untamed beauty stole my heart from the start.
When searching for locations to photograph, you will hear Alaska being mentioned quite a few times. The same was true for me. Meeting other wildlife photographers, I heard them talk reverently about their experiences in Alaska. Yes, there were some who didn’t have a great experience, but they all agreed on the undeniable beauty of Alaska and the magic of the place. The reverence they had regarding Alaska piqued my interest, and the images they shared with me had me itching to go and see the place for myself.
Each of them unanimously agreed that Alaska was one place that changes your perspective; not only on photography but also on life. The landscape is breathtaking, even in pictures, and at that point I could only imagine how it would look when I could see it with my own eyes. Apart from the myriad of useful tips and tricks that I garnered from them, there was one important lesson that resonated with me. This is not a location where you just go and click a picture; visiting Alaska is akin to taking a spiritual journey. Having made the trip, I can say that this is in fact true.
Alaska is a gorgeous mystery and a treat for any wildlife photographer. Thanks to Diane McDowell, I was able to spend the majority of May 2017, in Alaska, where I was busy photographing the wildlife of Glacier Bay National Park. I spent a considerable amount of time exploring the wilderness on my own; my only companions being my trusty camera and the wildlife around me. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with this wild, untamable land, and I decided to extend my stay here with some help from the locals; Mariah, Danielle, Brenda, and Logan.
The landscape and the wildlife of Alaska are breathtaking. There are places so pure in this majestic locale, that the they appear untouched by mankind. The landscape is refreshing and revitalizing. Many photographers have claimed to feel this indescribable bond with nature. A number of us have come back with a strengthened belief in the presence of something bigger than any of us, when standing at the foot of Alaska’s famed mountains and glaciers. It isn’t