The Art of Expedition Photography

Tips from National Geographic Photography Expert Ralph Lee Hopkins

Ralph Lee Hopkins

has circled the globe for nearly 30 years with Lindblad Expeditions, teaching travelers how to document their journeys with beautiful imagery. Here, he shares some of his top tips for expedition photography so you’ll be ready to zoom in the moment you step on board. The best souvenirs are the ones you make yourself—and there’s no one better to help you create stunning pictures of the places we explore than National Geographic photography experts and our certified photo instructors. Through our exclusive expedition photography program, one of these experts joins every voyage to give guests hands-on instruction on how to frame a Norwegian fjord or leverage the glow of the golden hour in the Galápagos. Whether you’re learning the fundamentals or perfecting your portfolio, our expeditions allow you to pursue your passion for photography in some of the most picturesque places on Earth.

Ralph Lee Hopkins photographing a sunset in Baja California.

Look for the Establishing Shot

Visually telling the story of your expedition starts by conveying an overall sense of place. You want a striking image that captures the essence of the destination and helps answer the question, “Where did you go on your expedition?”

Use Your Smartphone

As the image quality of smartphone cameras has improved, their use for expedition photography has grown exponentially. You don’t need a ton of fancy equipment to get a memorable shot, and many travelers are now using their smartphones to photograph expeditions.

Be Ready for Action

Capturing wildlife behavior and movement may be the most challenging aspect of shooting on expedition. You can increase your odds of success by setting the camera to burst mode— which captures multiple frames with a fast shutter speed—then pre-focus where the action is likely to happen.

Embrace the Photographer’s Mantra

Heading out with my camera, I always think of this mantra: light, composition, moment. I look for provocative light, create a strong composition, then wait for a sense of the moment.

Zoom to Simplify the Frame

The most impactful images are often simple by design. Zoom lenses offer flexibility when it comes to crafting different compositions and eliminate distracting elements from the scene, especially when taking photographs from the deck of a ship.

To see Ralph’s complete list of tips, along with illustrative photos—visit expeditions.com/phototips