Field notes
Species guides, technique and planning advice for photographing wild Switzerland.
Wildlife photography on Pilatus: what you can see and when to go
A photographer’s guide to Mount Pilatus above Lucerne: ibex, chamois and alpine birds, the best light and seasons, how to get up there, and what to bring.
Bearded vultures in Switzerland: when, where and how to photograph them
The best season, the regions that hold birds, the camera settings that work over snow, and how to do it without disturbing a protected species.
The best time to visit Switzerland for wildlife photography
A month-by-month guide to wildlife photography in Switzerland: what is active in each season, from winter vultures to the autumn rut, and how to choose your dates.
Birds in flight: the autofocus and camera settings that work
A practical set-up for photographing birds in flight: autofocus modes, shutter speed, exposure and technique, from large raptors to small, fast birds.
Chamois or ibex? How to tell them apart, and where to photograph each
The two wild mountain goats of the Swiss Alps are easy to confuse at a distance. Horns, face, size and behaviour: a quick field guide for photographers.
Exposing for snow: camera settings for winter wildlife
Why your camera turns snow grey, how much exposure compensation to dial in, and a simple manual method that keeps animals correctly exposed all day.
Ibex at the Creux du Van: a photographer’s guide
How to photograph the ibex of the Creux du Van in the Neuchâtel Jura: getting there, the best light and seasons, lenses, and the rules of the reserve.
Low-key wildlife portraits: black backgrounds in daylight
How to photograph wildlife against a pure black background without flash or a studio: finding the light, exposing for the highlights, and finishing the edit.
Photographing the Milky Way in the Swiss Alps: when, where and how
Milky Way season, moon phases, camera settings and planning for night-sky photography in the Swiss Alps, from choosing a location to focusing on stars.
What to pack for a winter wildlife shoot in the Alps
A practical packing list for a cold day of wildlife photography in the Swiss mountains: clothing, camera gear, and the small things that save a shoot.