Drones Are Annoying, But They Also Provide Perspective While Traveling

Not too long ago, the incessant drone noise in the wilderness left me with a ringing in my ears and a distaste for the intrusive devices. However, I took an unexpected turn in my attitude towards drones when I decided to get one myself. I morphed from a critic into that person launching a drone into the air during my travels. Why? Because curiosity is a potent force when it comes to exploring new landscapes.

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Six Life-Changing Adventures to Try This Winter

Winter is a season of magic and wonder, with its pristine blankets of snow, shimmering icicles, and a sense of tranquility that only the cold can bring. It's also a time of year when adventure enthusiasts can find a host of exhilarating experiences to embark upon. From scaling frozen waterfalls to chasing the elusive Northern Lights, winter offers a unique backdrop for unforgettable journeys. In this article, we'll explore six life-changing adventures you should consider trying this winter.

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Four Ski Films On YouTube You Need To Watch

As the winter season is coming, YouTube is getting flooded with incredible ski films that you should watch. The diversity is vast in these films ranging from big and remote landscapes to "in your backyard" kind of videos. All together the excitement after last years incredible 300% snow pack is still paying dividends. Hopefully this year will be similar! 

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Q&A With Filmmaker of The Backyard Bears

Q: Why did you make The Backyard Bears?

A: I made The Backyard Bears simply because I love bears. Black bears are what kick started my love for documenting wildlife, and when I first saw a bear gorging himself with trash, consuming plastic and other waste that no creature should be trying to digest, I knew I needed to do something and help these bears find their way back to the wild. Documenting these problems and bringing them to the world through this film was the first step for me, and there’s much more coming!

Q: Where can people watch it?

A: The Backyard Bears is available for free to everyone on YouTube!

Q: What camera gear did you shoot on?

A: This film was entirely shot on the Sony A7iv, Sony FX3, and DJI drones. When filming wildlife it’s important to be light and to be able to keep up with the animals in the terrain that they live in. So keeping things light with compact Sony cameras was important!

Q: How long did it take for you to make the film?

A: I spent about 6 months documenting the bears for this specific project. In total it was probably 8 months from start to finish with pre production, editing etc.

Q: Any words of advice for aspiring videographers?

A: Advice is hard, as I still feel that I’m at the very beginning stages of this journey of mine as a wildlife filmmaker. But what I’d say for anyone looking into becoming a filmmaker or photographer, is find something that you are incredibly passionate about.

 It took me a while to connect the dots and realize that combining my love for animals and my love for filmmaking was where I needed to be and where I belonged as a creative. Once I found this sweet spot, I knew this is exactly where I needed to be and what I needed to do for the rest of my life. 

At that point you just have to do it, you can’t wait for a network or an organization to give you a check to make it happen, you have to do whatever you can to make it happen for yourself and show the world what you can do. 

This documentary was entirely a passion project, to tell this important story that needed telling and an outlet for me to show what I can do as a wildlife filmmaker. Putting yourself out there and just doing it is the best thing you can do, in my opinion. This documentary has led to some amazing opportunities that I honestly never thought would come to me. 

I can’t say much about these opportunities, now, but you can follow along on my journey to find out!

Make sure to follow Riley's journey on Instagram or Youtube


Discover more Adventures

A Photographic Perspective of Surfing Mavericks In Half Moon Bay, CA

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These 6 Tips Will Help You See the Northern Lights This Year

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Beach Camping in Baja, Mexico for Ford

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2024 Photography Guide to Firefall in Yosemite

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How To Photograph the Stars

Capturing the breathtaking beauty of the cosmos requires more than just pointing your camera at the night sky. Astrophotography is a captivating blend of science and art that demands the right equipment, meticulous preparation, and a keen understanding of camera settings and techniques. 

Whether you're gazing at the stars from the serene landscapes of Alabama Hills or any other dark-sky location, this guide will provide you with all the insights you need to embark on an unforgettable astrophotography journey.

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