1. Embrace Early Mornings & Late Afternoons
The golden hours — just after sunrise and before sunset — offer soft, warm lighting that enhances the natural beauty of the Galápagos landscapes and wildlife. The cooler temperatures also make the animals more active, giving you better opportunities for capturing dynamic shots of creatures like sea lions, iguanas, and birds in their natural behaviors.
The early morning light really brings out the yellow dragon scales of this land iguana.
2. Use a Zoom Lens for Wildlife
To capture the diverse wildlife, from blue-footed boobies to giant tortoises, a zoom lens (70-300mm or more) is essential. Many species are protected, and you won’t be able to get too close without disturbing them, so a zoom allows you to photograph animals in detail from a respectful distance.
My 400mm lens captures this Galapagos subspecies of the Yellow Warbler nicely (Setophaga petechis aureola)
3. Pack a Polarizing Filter
The bright sun, vibrant blue waters, and volcanic landscapes can create glare and reflections. A polarizing filter reduces reflections, deepens sky colors, and enhances contrast, making your shots of water, sky, and land pop with more vibrant colors. Smart phones are now intergrating HDR, or High Dynamic Range, into their photos, which also make the sky and clouds pop.
4. Go Underwater with a Waterproof Camera or Housing
The Galápagos has some of the most spectacular underwater life, from sea turtles and rays to colorful fish and playful sea lions. Whether you bring a waterproof camera or a housing for your DSLR, make sure to capture the beauty beneath the waves. A GoPro or similar action camera also works great for these underwater scenes. Just like wildlife above water, the underwater wildlife will allow you to get quite close. A GoPro type camera is easy to travel with and works great for these close encounters with some of the underwater charismatic megafauna. Don't forget to switch to video mode and try that as well.
5. Be Ready for Action Shots
Wildlife in the Galápagos can be unpredictable. From birds diving into the ocean to sea lions playing on the beach, you’ll want to be ready to capture fast-moving action. Use a fast shutter speed (1/1000 or higher) and continuous shooting mode to increase your chances of getting that perfect shot when the moment happens. I always tell people, 'the more you learn about an animal, the better your photos will be.' Luckily you always have access to very knowledgeable guides who can impart all of their wisdom on you.
A blue-footed booby takes flight
These tips will help you capture the stunning landscapes and unique wildlife that make the Galápagos a photographer's dream.