Bear Photography
To help make your Alaska brown bear viewing experience complete and allow you to come away with those truly memorable photographs we have put together the following information.
The platforms themselves can get quite crowded but the NPS staff do a good job with crowd control. The most popular platform is the Falls although there can be more variety of bear activity going on at the Riffles and Brooks River platforms.
Moving about on the Falls platform is sometimes difficult if there are lots of camera tripods. You really only need a tripod if you are trying to capture the classic ‘salmon in the mouth’ bear picture. A monopod or beanbag would do just as well; it’s all about holding a camera in a fixed position for a long time.
The 'salmon in the mouth' picture is difficult to take because it happens very quickly so keep those fingers on the camera shutter button!
You will get good bear pictures regardless of what camera you have although you may struggle a bit with a cell phone camera. 
- Lens (35mm equivalent). 75mm – 300mm or 100mm – 400mm should cover all situations. If the bears get close even the 75mm may be a bit too powerful.
- Camera support. Tripod/monopod/beanbag if you want although not really necessary unless your camera is heavy.
- Film. You need a fast film 400/800 ASA depending on how fast your lens is. Take lots of film as there isn’t a lot of choice in the store at Brooks Camp.
- Digital Storage Media. Take lots of storage cards or you may run out. Again, there isn’t a lot of choice in the store at Brooks Camp.
- Action Shots. You need a motor drive to capture action shots (3 to 5 fps is fine). Failing that keep pressing the shutter button.
- Luck. Have your camera ready at all times for that special picture.
All the bear photographs on this web site were taken from the Brooks River, Riffles, and Brooks Falls Platforms or from the trails around the site.
Contact Us if you need more information on Alaska bear photography.