My sweetheart gave me a nice anniversary gift: 3 days in Katmai (Brooks Lodge) to shoot the bears from 7/4 to 7/7!
Any advices on what to do/expect there? More specifically around the settings (speed and focal length) to shoot the bears in the river falls catching the salmon in their mouth? What else to do (where to go nearby)?
Thanks,
Xavier
Jun 25, 2012 at 12:49 PM
David Leask Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Xavier, first of all I am envious in the extreme! You will have a great time. I went there a few years ago in the September. The main activity around the falls was pretty much over by that time but there was still plenty to photograph. Just on the edge of the living quarters where the river meets the lake the bears congregated to give is some marvellous images. In July the action at the falls will be fever pitch. I'm told that photographers take it in turns on the viewing platform, things are so busy. I had my 70-200 + 1.7tc and I was short most of the time. When I go back I'll have a 600mm min with me. Take a mossie net with you else you'll be eaten alive. The accommodation is good - not luxurious but perfectly comfortable. Food is great and plentiful and not overly expensive. Let me know if you need more info. Good luck.
David
Been there twice, never overnite. Went with a 100-400mm not long enough at the falls, plus it was dark that day so had the push the ISO more than I wanted to. A 300mm f2.8 (rental) where you could use TC would be a good choice IMO, or better yet a 500mm. Speed will depend on the type of day, if raining or overcast you will be at least 800 ISO and faster. Make sure you have good rain gear for both you and equipment, and hope for a salmon run. Was there once when you are going and it was between runs, but you never know. If the salmon aren't there the bears don't stick around and you won't have the jumping salmon that everybody wants. But you will see bears that is almost guaranteed. Good luck.
Xavier, I will be there starting July 3-8 so will see you there. I will be the guy with a baby jogger to carryhe my equipment. I will be camping so won't be in the lodge that much. This will be my fifth trip to Katmai. I am hoping that the fish are jumping at the falls this time. I have always had to leave by the last day of June for business and there are a million fish pooling 100 yards downstream but not ready to make the leap at the falls.
A 400 lens will be long enough for most activity and even to long for some of the action. The falls does put up a mist though and it is usually overcast so It would be nice to have a fast lens. A 300 2.80 2.8 with a tc would be good. I will be using my 70-200 2.8 400 2.8 and 800. There are three viewing platforms, one at the falls, one about 100 yards downstream, and one near the lodge at the entrance to the lake. You can get great shots of the younger bears running down stream chasing fish. The platforms will be crowded then and you will have a time limit of about 30 minutes before you get the boot and have to make room for the next group. The platform by the Lodge has less bears this time of year, but you can still get some good shots there as well. There are also good chances to shoot bears espcially sows with cubs walking along the beach right by the lodge and campground. There is a tour of the volcanic area, but other than that, the only other thing to do is fishing. Make sure you take a head net to keep the bugs off, they are very thick. A remote shutter release is handy for trying to get the fish jumping up the falls. Evening is best for light because morning everything is severely backlit. You can not buy anything there except for candy, souvenir clothes etc. Make sure you bring plenty of memory and a way to download. Last year I forgot my card reader and no one was willing to loan theirs so had no way to upload to my computer. Was a major pain and there is no way to buy one there. Bring pleny of rain gear for both you and your equipment. You are not allowed to use flash however last year there were guys using it with a better beamer and the rangers did not say anything. Charging batteries can be a problem, so a power strip to have extra outlets is nice. Mosquito spray is a must. There is a twitter page for Brooks Falls but there have not been any tweets for about a week. Will look forward to seeing you there. I am posting images from there called Goldilocks for the next five days until I leave so you can see a little of what it is like. Bruce
+1 on that shutter relaese! At the falls, use your tripod with a shutter relaese - this is essential if you want to get the salmon in mid-air jumping into the bears jaws (if you're lucky enough to get an opportunity.) The bears stand motionless waiting for salmon so you can setup zoomed in and fixed on them and wait/watch the salmon jump then hit the remote shutter. If you look through the viewfinder, you will never see the salmon jumping until it's too late. Enjoy - one of the most fascinating events I've ever witnessed.
Good to see the advise. I'll be going the end of July and am hoping the salmon runs aren't over. Hope everyone has a great trip and will be looking forward to hearing about them and seeing the results. Needless to say I can't wait after having reservations for 18 Months.
