The Extremes of Wildlife Photography: Break Free From Creative Ruts
- Presented by: Gerry Van Der Walt
- When: Thursday, August 13, 2026 8:00 pm EDT
What You'll Learn:
- How pushing shutter speed to the extreme can create stronger wildlife images
- How different lens choices can change the story and feel of a photograph
- Creative ways to use aperture beyond simply keeping the subject sharp
- How bold processing choices can help shape a more distinct photographic style
- Why experimentation can help you break repetitive habits and refresh your portfolio
- How to move beyond the safe shot and make images that feel more personal
Meet Your Instructor
Gerry Van Der Walt
Gerry Van Der Walt is a wildlife and expedition photographer, coach, speaker, and strategic performance advisor with more than two decades of experience guiding and mentoring photographers in the field.
His work has taken him from the African bush to extreme polar environments, blending technical photographic skill with a deep understanding of mindset, creativity, and performance under pressure. Through his photography, coaching, and expedition work, Gerry helps photographers move beyond safe, predictable images and reconnect with their own creative voice.
In this Journal of Wildlife Photography Masterclass, Gerry will guide photographers through the creative “edges” of wildlife photography — from shutter speed and aperture to lens choice and post-processing — showing how pushing beyond familiar settings can help break creative ruts, refresh a portfolio, and create more personal, expressive work.
What to Expect
Here's What Our Live Trainings Are Like
Each month, we host a live 90-minute training led by an award-winning wildlife photographer, followed by a live Q&A where you can ask questions and get direct feedback.
These sessions cover both field techniques and post-processing, so you can improve how you capture images and how you finish them.
You’ll see how experienced photographers approach real situations, make decisions in the moment, and handle challenges like difficult light, fast action, and editing choices that impact the final image.
If you can’t attend live, every session is recorded and added to the full training library so you can watch anytime.
To attend this live event or watch the replay, you must be a member of the Journal of Wildlife Photography.
Get Inspired by some of Gerry Van Der Walt's work
Members get access to live trainings and critiques designed to help serious wildlife photographers improve faster through real instruction and real feedback.
Each session focuses on practical decisions made in the field and why certain images succeed while others fall short.
When you join today, you can attend live or watch the full replay anytime.
Unlock this session and all member-only trainings and critiques by choosing a membership below.
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- 5 photo contest entries per month
- Live monthly trainings + full recording archive
- Live monthly critiques so you can see why images win
- Every back issue, video, and article unlocked instantly
- Private photographer community with real feedback
- Members-only discounts from top photography brands.
- 5 Free Anytime Photo Credits ($50 Value). These credits can be used on any future monthly wildlife photo contest you choose. They never expire, so you can save them for themes you really love throughout the year.
- 10 photo contest entries per month
- Lifetime access to every training, critique, and recording, past and future
- The full Journal library, every issue, every video, every article
- Lifetime access to the private community
- 15% off all future full-price purchases
- Members-only discounts from top photography brands.
- 10 Free Anytime Photo Credits ($100 Value). These credits can be used on any future monthly wildlife photo contest you choose. They never expire, so you can save them for themes you really love throughout the year.