Wildlife Photography in the Great Bear Rainforest - Nikon Z9

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Matt Shannon (Thats me) is an inspired nature and landscape photographer living on Vancouver Island. His images have captured an international audience and his artwork hangs in homes around the world. He has developed a keen eye for detail and a passion for striking images. Matt is an enthusiastic teacher and hosts regular workshops aimed at inspiring and equipping photographers.
Matt’s photography is the product of his adventuresome heart - it’s the physical representation of his love for striking landscapes and beautiful natural creations.
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[@MattShannonPhoto]

Join me on a photography workshop: www.mattshannon.ca/workshops.html

[@adrian6533]

This channel deserves 20X more subscribers. Beautiful videos, beautiful images, and great technical tips explaining how to get the shot. The perfect trifecta.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Made my day thank you! "Perfect trifecta"....wow, can't top that. Thanks for the feedback!

[@Creeper1313]

Can confirm +1 today. The bear shots are great but those eagle shots were AMAZING.

[@lukeiamyourfather7736]

Amazing what you can see in ONE DAY in British Columbia!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

It's true but I do want to point out that we are not always so lucky. It's wildlife and sometimes they are deep in the bush or hiding from the smells, sounds and the sight of humans.

[@tommy-vella]

There is nothing like watching wild animals. So calming. Thank you!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Hey Tommy, long time no see :) Thanks for watching and the positive feedback! I greatly appreciate it.

[@noneedtochange9413]

Epic, beautiful wildlife and landscape.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

❤️ Great Bear rainforest 🐻🐻🐻

[@ChuckJ7777]

Your photos are incredible. Thank you for explaining all your settings. I am just getting into wildlife photography and this is helping me quite a bit.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

So great to hear! Thank you so much for tuning in and commenting, I appreciate it.

[@andycoleman2708]

Heat haze is so frustrating! Sometimes in the summer, it's already happening just as there is enough light to shoot!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

so true. I know a few photographers here who rarely shoot wildlife in the summer due to the heat and lighting conditions. They jump back into it in the fall, winter and spring. The Great Bear Rainforest is a lot cooler than most of British Columbia so there is some benefit. Early bird gets the warm though.

[@blamon01]

Stunning! Freaking awesome video and photo. It kept me spellbound.

[@DebCamPhoto]

Absolutely love your videos. High quality photography and videography along with documenting your adventures makes this channel the best on KZbin. I actually feel sorry for folks that haven't found you yet. They are missing out. Keep it up Matt. I know it's a lot of work and may not always seem like it's worth the effort to put out these videos, so I want you to understand how much I respect and appreciate your effort. Thank you.

[@grosema]

Great Video Matt!! Sure wish I could Join you out there I am in Ontario as soon as I win a Lotto see you then. I Hope to see you hit a Million Subs

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you, glad you liked the video! Until you win the Lotto, I'll keep pumping out content from the field to bring what nature I see to you. Thanks for the support and encouragement!

[@helencogan2187]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING WORK, Matt!! THANK YOU for all the camera tips as well! Your work is stunning 🎉🎉🎉

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the kind words and support, cheers!

[@davehutchisonphotography]

Love this video Matt. A very nice blend between the technical and creative aspects of nature photography. Well done!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you Dave! It's simple to talk about the techniques some times when sitting down in the office. During the shoot my head spins a bit trying to get; good comps, focus, exposure, shutter speed. Not to mention not rocking the boat, too hot with a jacket on so that might go or you sit and sweat, switch to video and think about all of it all over again lol.

[@davehutchisonphotography]

@@MattShannonPhoto There is a lot at play doing what you do. Great job pulling it all together!

[@JodiByles]

I love the colour photo better

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thanks for the feedback 🙋‍♂️🙂!

[@joncothranphotography9375]

That was too cool! Thanks so much!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching, cheers

[@stephanandersen7643]

WOW awesome pics of the otters.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Love sea otters, thanks for the compliment! And thanks for watching

[@rm8679]

Love the color.

[@michaelbierbaum-z5x]

Thank you Matt, great vid again, love them.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Happy to hear it, thank you again for watching and sharing. Hope to see you next time, cheers!

[@charliebassey2695]

Wonderful and awesome video.Thanks a lot for sharing.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Yes! So great to hear thank you, cheers!

[@stevedockeray]

I spent a month in Rivers Inlet & a week in Smith's Inlet in 1986 on a 33 foot Gill net boat & it touched me deep . Still does every time I see vids from the area - My feet never touched actual land the whole time there , Dawson's Landing was the closest to land .

[@kenharnish5778]

Awesome video and images! I prefer the color images over the black and white.

[@richardfink7666]

The eagle photos are definitely more beautiful and interesting. Btw I prefer photography to filming any time, unless the light is not enough for photography.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you. I was happy with the timing of the eagle flying to the stump and flapping its huge wings. Thanks for the feedback on photography vs filming.

[@user-ei3gz1wt5o]

I'm not a photographer. I will probably never see these animals in person again in my lifetime. I so enjoy seeing these videos and pictures, it's almost better than being there!

[@davidhuth5659]

That was weird that I saw this last night. I'm glad it's up for all to see. Great video!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thanks for sharing again! Yeah, that was odd....there was one or two others that saw it. Somehow it slipped through the cracks OR KZbin has blessed you with a sneak peak.

[@davidhuth5659]

@@MattShannonPhoto Or, it's big brother. 🤣

[@MattShannonPhoto]

@@davidhuth5659 😲

[@lakesidepaul3950]

I, for once when asked, like the Color bear photo better. Thank you for sharing.

[@Trish12303]

Just an amazing video Matt. I love, love, love the footage and shots of the eagle!! The bears were amazing as well! These are two of my favorite wildlife species. The entire video was very enjoyable viewing. Thanks so much!

[@keithmacdonald4805]

Great video Matt, some great tips as well. The Nikon 400mm 4.5 is an incredible lens, I use mine with the 800PF and it makes an incredible wildlife pair. I also use the 180-600 when I need to have a zoom available, also a great lens from Nikon. Thanks for sharing and for the great tips.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you Keith! How often do you use the 800PF compared to the 400mm in the field if you don't mind me asking?

[@owenpeller6471]

I don't like the black-and-white photo better. I almost never liked black-and-white. Some wonderful pictures overall.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you, and thank you for the feedback! B&W comes in waves for me. Sometimes I really like them but rarely do I print any of my B&W shots or showcase them on my website.

[@shadowchaser59]

Love your content amazing and beautiful videos and pictures. I can only dream of capturing something a 10th of yours. Thanks for sharing your amazing adventures and your knowledge

[@RDPFilms1]

Fantastic photos and helpful narrative. Thanks too for sharing your settings.

[@montanaguy51]

I like the color better personally.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Great feedback thank you!

[@blueridgestops3128]

I'm writing a novel, and an opera, set in the Great Bear Rainforest. Needless to say, instant sub. Cheers!😊

[@siroverlord44]

Such a great video 👍🏻👍🏻. Thanks so much. Hope to see that in a year when we will make hollidays at vancouver island 😊. Best wishes from Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you and I hope so too! What a trip that will be for you!

[@tedcomeau2671]

Great pics I prefer the colour

[@SundayRacers]

Love the 400mm f/4.5 and I have it set the same way as you do, with the 2nd ring set for exposure comp

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Great minds think alike!!

[@SundayRacers]

@@MattShannonPhoto You just have to be careful not to accidentally move the wheel and change your exposure. It's a great lens, but my 500 f/4 is still an all time favourite. Just a pity it weighs so much and is so big

[@MattShannonPhoto]

@@SundayRacers I agree. I'm still training myself to know which ring to move subconsciously. I love my 500mm f/4, I'm still holding on to it and I still use it in the field. I just need a tripod for it :)

[@garykuiken6191]

Just found your site a few days ago, really great videos, fabulous images. To tell the truth the B&W are great, their lack of color and the tonality of the that results make for great impact. Take care.. .

[@mikelitecky1549]

Another fabulous video

[@takakkaw]

Hi Matt, great video and great information. I love the west coast of BC and your videos make me quite envious of you. Keep up the fantasic work!!

[@davelawery4811]

Great Video, useful tips, easy going delivery, a great watch..Keep Well & Stay Safe 👍🇬🇧

[@onlyvideoillupload]

B and W is awesome but I think the color takes the cake. Exceptional footage/pics of the bears! Thanks for cranking out these awesome videos.

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Fantastic adventure and great advice! I would love to join you in the Great Bear Rainforest!

[@NikCan66]

This was excellent

[@ryancooper3629]

Beautiful imagery but I swear there is a ton of really weird artifacting on a ton of the shots? Are you using something like Topaz Sharpen after cropping extremely heavily or something like that to try to recover distant shots? (Particularily the eagle shots)

[@robertlawrence7958]

The footage and stills of the eagle are fantastic. Well worth concentrating on that rather than a distant bear. I would expect the bears to hang around longer giving you opportunities later whilst the eagle was always more likely to be a shorter opportunity. As for the B/W bear image I think in this example I prefer the colour. For me B/W is more suited to either individual portraits, action or distant wildlife in the landscape type images. I think behaviour style images shows nature more as it is and for me that means in colour. I'm not sure if I have explained myself clearly and naturally there are exceptions but hopefully you get the gist of it. Terrific video, excellent content and beautiful imagery.

[@mikegillett8203]

What a fantastic day trip! Beautiful video and photography too. Thanks for sharing this Matt 👍😀

[@MattShannonPhoto]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

The lens ring being used to exposure compensation is genius, now I just need the will power to pay the price for a 1st party lens.

[@sallyleavitt131]

Thanks for the tips Matt and the fabulous photos and video. One of these days I’m going to get to BC!

[@AdrianW_photo]

Amazing video and images. Thanks for sharing

[@craigmontour9906]

Great video. You mentioned having to switch between a video and photos trying to decide which one to take. With IG’s preference for video, I always think that I should try more video for clips / reels but enjoy stills so much.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thanks! I hear ya. Social media is pushing for video but at the end of the day I am a photographer. I think if I had the power of looking into the future for 60 seconds I would take video only when I know the images wouldn't be bangers but the video would support the story of where I am and what I'm doing/seeing. Not sure if that makes sense.

[@craigmontour9906]

@@MattShannonPhoto It does!

[@masterhall1685]

Wonderful video! And the bears, like obedient extras-actors, let themselves be photographed to their heart's content. This particular photo looks better in color than in black and white.

[@vincentlamoureux422]

Amazing video on all front! Amazing vibe and wildlife photos!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

You are too kind, thank you very much!

[@Ben_Stewart]

I love the 400 4.5. Even with the tele-converter it's almost tied with the 180-600. Nice trip.

[@sigurdrille9693]

WOW, beautiful Images, stunning video! Thank you! You have some amazing wildlife quite close by!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you! Yes, I am very blessed to call this home

[@kevingoldie5137]

B/W photo 😊

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Great feedback thanks!

[@PatrickComtois]

I prefer the color rendtion of the grizzlies Matt. BW is a very romantic medium, but in this case I prefer the color IMHO. :)

[@josemirabal1063]

Fantastic episode. Thanks for all the hard work and dedication. Cheers

[@erichsnijder7376]

Nice again. I thought you would use the Nikon 400mm 2.8 with build in converter. It's a pitty that Canada is so far away but i love the wild live.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you! 400mm 2.8 would be nice but this years investments had to go somewhere else. I'd also love the 600mm with the built in TC. One day :)

[@billantonacci4441]

The images of the Bears are terrific I’m curious did you use the 400or the 600f/4

[@irisotte83]

Awesome Matt, great video again! Thank you for sharing :)

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching another video of mine, cheers!

[@infrequentgamer_greg]

Nice video Matt. I especially like the photo of the eagle taking off at 4:03. I don't think Nikon has implemented their "whale tracking AF mode" yet😉; which AF mode did you use to successfully photograph the orcas? The bear photo...has to be in color!👍 Keep up the good work!

[@sparklypinkleopard26]

Really incredible and calming! Such a good video

[@2ShoesPhoto]

I personally prefer the color photo, and holy mother of amazing shots, I don't know how I just found your channel, the KZbin Gods must be shining on you now but this is fantastic content.

[@127TROOP]

Huge fan of Simon d’Entremont’s channel and been glued to that for weeks. Now I’ve found your channel Matt and completely blown away by your work and channel. Outstanding content and astonishing images. Subbed!

[@montanaguy51]

Another amazing vlog! 👏

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you!! 😁

[@stevehamilton3181]

Gawd, I love our coast! Nice work here, great stills and vids. I am a big fan of grizzlies and am always amazed how one minute the big male could be killing cubs to mate with the female and the next they are tenderly cuddling like young lovers. Nature is cruel and fascinating.

[@alex_nita]

Amazing shots! May I ask you to share also some details about how much crop you do with each of the photos? Thank you very much!

[@williammcginnis4151]

Great video, photos and camera setup instruction Matt. Knight Inlet, 30 years ago, is where I first saw grizzly bears similar environment to where you were photographing. Black and white always grabs my attention so my vote is for the B&W images.

[@dylandean3486]

Amazing orca shots!

[@RommelBillanes]

very nice video!!

[@michaelrobinsonphotography6552]

Wow great images Matt!

[@patrickmckeethen2143]

Matt, you have a 500mm f4 and have added the 400 4.5 with the 1.4 teleconverter getting 560mm at 6.3. It would be interesting to know your take on losing the shadow depth of field with your new setup and how you compensate for it.

[@19Photographer76]

Great job! Any idea if the bears were siblings? Glad you did stills on the Eagle, they came out great!

[@bdpereira9847]

Absolutely stunning photography and videography. Thank you for sharing. I was just curious what your video settings were in particular frames per second, resolutions, iso and aperture for the bears. Thanks

[@KayanushPatel]

Awesome video Matt! Would you mind going a little more into how you manage to switch between photo and video when shooting a subject. If you’re using 1/50 SS would you be slapping on/off an ND filter each time? Or do you shoot everything in slow motion? Etc.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Huge thank you! Glad you liked it. That is a great question and something I need to include in my videos. Obviously the settings and use of an ND change depending on exposure. With my Sony camera (more vlog style purpose) I use an ND to shoot 1/50 or 1/60th of a second if it is bright out. Typically for wildlife I am filming at 1/250th at 120fps. For people and B-roll moments I sometimes shoot 60pfs and my shutter is as close to 1/120th sec as I can, but on my tele lens it might not be possible since I don't have an ND for that thread size.

[@GordonFRegan]

Another great video, Matt. Normally I like black and white but on this one I prefer the coloured version. You live and play in an amazing province. At least that's the way this sailor sees it ~~_/)_~~

[@lauriefish58]

Thanks for the video Matt, truly loved the eagle photos, top notch! Question, how close are you when taking images of birds or mammals or how much of your frame is filled with your subject? Sometimes I find it difficult to get crisp images of birds and I’m sure not being close enough to the intended target is probably the reason. Thanks again.

[@philippaday7805]

Stunning video! Makes me want to come BC! Please can I ask what your video settings are for the Nikon, I never know what is best for capturing the action

[@vacanechaser]

awesome as always! would love to get on one of your workshops some day! by the way...where do you get your music from??

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you, and I would love to have you join! Music is from Artlist @artlist_io. I've been enjoying the music they have in their library. Perhaps they will sponsor a video of mine, especially if viewers are asking where I get my music from 🙂

[@vacanechaser]

@@MattShannonPhoto awesome.. that music in the middle of the video is awesome. wife loves it. i used artist before. i may have to sign back up. what was the song called? thank you so much for your reply, sometimes not everyone on youtube answers.. lol.. thanks again.. keep up the great work

[@petersuvara]

Love the content! 400 f4.5 is an amazing lens. Do you use a TC for your shots at all?

[@bcooper53]

Great photos Matt. I have learned so much from your videos. Can you share the company you went with for a day trip? Thanks

[@Kevin_Yuda_]

Awesome, Matt! What time of year did you go?

[@irbis8801]

Great video, thanks for sharing! What do you think about 400 mm pf ? Do you like it?

[@MattShannonPhoto]

I love it! it is EXTREMELY light and sharp. There doesn't seem to be any loss with the 1.4x TC either which is a huge bonus. So far it has replaced my 500mm f/4. Saves my back when hand holding :)

[@irbis8801]

@@MattShannonPhoto I think it’s twice lighter)) You should try also 600 pf.

[@challenger2023]

Why skillshare when we have youtube?

[@throttleblip6544]

Yes, monochrome is better

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree. I think I might switch a few other images from this shoot to monochrome. Thanks!

[@anteater74]

Can you only use this once?.....i currently use it to swith settings from say a static bird to go to bird in flight settings. Can i use this option again on a different button to do something different?

[@isotechimages.9130]

Photos first & foremost as cannot frame & hang a video.

[@Suma02Marthapu]

Hai bro I'm Indian photography give me one camera plzzz

[@maxmillion4216]

Yeah, you would make a great weather man, NOT.

[@thecaptain2521]

INCREDIBLE!!!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thanks!

[@paul-webster]

The background sound needed to be dialed down for more subtle enjoyment. P.s there's no such thing as soft light around 12 noon mark unless overcast or partly cloudy.