Adventure Archives - Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides - The Wandering Lens

The Creative Benefits of Solo Travel for Photographers

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:29 +0000

Why Solo Travel Can Transform Your Photography (and How It Changes the Way You See a Place) There’s something different about travelling alone with a camera. Without meaning to offend everyone I’ve ever travelled with, solo travel is, as far as I’m concerned, the best way to immerse yourself in the experience of travel, while documenting the adventure and learning about your creative approach, and, let’s be honest, yourself too. When travelling solo, you learn how to deal with whatever comes your way, which in turn leads to feeling more confident, capable, and creative because you’re in control of the journey unfolding. As a map geek, I love planning routes, finding locations, and researching places to stay, I know this can feel quite overwhelming for others who may be new to solo travel, but after a few trips, even short ones at first, you’ll see the freedom it unlocks. Without the pace of a group, or the quiet pressure of keeping up with someone else’s plans, the experience of travelling begins to shift in subtle but noticeable ways. You move slower, not because you have to, but because you can. You notice more. You pause when something catches your eye,...

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Photographing the Darwin’s Frog: A Rare Encounter in Chile’s Valdivian Rainforest

Lisa Michele Burns — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 08:47:28 +0000

Photographing the Darwin’s Frog – A Rare Encounter in Chile’s Valdivian Rainforest Deep within Chile’s Valdivian rainforest, where rain falls in patterns of gentle whispers and torrential waves, and where the forest floor glows a vibrant green beneath layers of fog, a tiny creature quietly tells one of nature’s most extraordinary stories. A really tiny creature, one with an average size of just 22 to 31mm. When researching Parque Futangue, I saw photos of the Darwin’s Frog (Ranita de Darwin) and was instantly drawn to learn more about this leaf-like little wonder. Because it’s listed as endangered, with some outlets even stating that it’s close to extinction, I assumed there would be no way I’d be lucky enough to photograph one on my ATWS pre-summit adventure with the Adventure Travel Trade Association and Sernature Chile. Then I met Felipe, our guide at Parque Futangue and a fellow photographer who shared images he’d captured during his years guiding in the park. While it could never be guaranteed, he explained that there was a chance we might encounter one along a specific guided trail within the reserve. I couldn’t put my MC-20 2x teleconverter on fast enough. A Frog Unlike Any Other...

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The Power of Community in Adventure Travel

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:22:05 +0000

As the Chamamé music began on stage, supporting Mauricio Kusanovic of Las Torres Patagonia as he made his closing remarks at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Puerto Natales, Chile, I felt a sudden wave of emotion. I told myself, “Lisa, keep it together, be professional”, but looking around the room, one filled with industry leaders, media, and tourism operators, everyone was up on their feet, smiling, hugging and dancing. The emotion was shared, the kind that’s created from an immersive experience we all knew had been so special. It was my first time attending a summit, and while my emotions caught me off guard, it’s clear that bringing together a like-minded group of delegates in this way fuels connections, growth, and empowers change in an industry known for its ability to create experiences and positively impact communities far and wide. Two weeks prior, I had arrived in Chile expecting inspiration from the landscapes and nature. I’d visited the peaks of Torres del Paine National Park previously, and knew I was in for a treat when it came to exploring more of the country’s environmental diversity in Parque Futangue, for my pre-summit adventure. As someone who lingers on the introverted...

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Why Churchill Is on My Photography Radar for 2026

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 05:27:09 +0000

Polar Bears and Aurora in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. When I think about destinations that combine raw wilderness with once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunities, Churchill in northern Manitoba quickly rises to the top. Perched on the edge of Hudson Bay in Northern Canada, this beautifully remote Arctic gateway offers a rare mix of luminous night skies, rare wildlife sightings, and unique ways to experience them. After learning about the region over coffee with the team from Travel Manitoba, I started researching and exploring the adventures possible for photographers (and myself!) who are keen to visit in 2026. I already know it’ll be a destination that fills my memory cards faster than the northern lights dance across the sky! Here are the experiences that have firmly placed Churchill on my radar for 2026. #1 Aurora visible up to 300 nights each year Churchill sits directly beneath the auroral oval, making the northern lights a near certainty, rather than a chance encounter, visible up to 300 nights each year. Having photographed aurora in Iceland, Greenland and across Scandinavia, plus the Aurora Australis in New Zealand, the concept of an easier hunt sounds very enticing! I don’t think I slept a wink on my first...

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Is this the Best Hike in Patagonia? Hiking in El Chalten

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 10:19:25 +0000

Photographing Patagonia: The Trail to Laguna Torre Patagonia, a region renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse hiking trails, offers some of the most spectacular outdoor experiences in the world. Among these, the trail to Laguna Torre in El Chaltén stands out as a contender for the best hike in Patagonia, in my opinion anyway, take a peek at the photos below and see if you agree. With its stunning views, varied environments, and moderate difficulty, this trail attracts hikers from all over the globe in addition to the Mount Fitz Roy hike to Laguna de los Tres, that’s a few rungs up on the difficulty ladder. In this guide, I’m going to share what makes the Laguna Torre trail so special, from the length and conditions to the best times to visit and tips for capturing its beauty through photography. During my visit in April, the autumn colours were at their peak, turning this hike into a colourful wonderland that took me three times as long to complete because I couldn’t resist stopping to take hundreds of photos along the way. The Laguna Torre Trail Overview The trail to Laguna Torre is approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) round trip,...

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Columbia Icefields – Hiking on the Athabasca Glacier with IceWalks

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:40:27 +0000

Photographing in the Columbia Icefields of Canada At first glistening crunch, I knew I was back in my happy place. Hearing the sound of ice crunching beneath my crampons, watching as the ice sparkled before my eyes, and marveling as my mind attempted to soak in the immense beauty as it piled in icy chunks toward the head (the top). Glacial landscapes are an environment like no other, and I’m about to share how you can walk upon one! Athabasca Glacier in Alberta, Canada, is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. Located within the Columbia Icefields on the Icefields Parkway, it’s roughly a one-hour drive from Jasper and two hours to Banff. While you can cruise on by and catch views from the car, it’s beyond worth stopping and staring a little longer. Or, spending a few days gazing upon the magnificent mountainside formations if you’re like me and can’t bear to look away. What makes this glacier so special is that you’re able to get up close to something that’s normally the result of a multi-day hike, hidden in a distant alpine valley. Glaciers are formed when snow accumulates over time, turning to ice over many...

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Glacier Lodge Eqi – Up Close with Greenland’s Calving Wonder

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:26:12 +0000

Glacier Lodge Eqi, Greenland Thunderous echoes of crashing ice ripple across the bay like a constant chorus of nature’s beat. Nothing can prepare you for the sound of a glacier calving. It’s a clap, crack and deep rumble that rolls across the surface of the water, seemingly gathering pitch and speed. The best part, it’s a delayed sound so you need to really focus and watch the glacier to actually catch a calving in action. If you wait for the sound you’ll always be 7-10 seconds too late due to how sound travels across the fjord. Located a 3.5hr ice breaker boat ride north of Ilulissat, Eqi Glacier is one of the world’s most active and there’s no doubt a visit will include it’s fair share of tumbling ice shows. As the boat cruises through the Ataa Strait, teal coloured water shares the scene with icebergs ranging in sizes from mega mansions through to dinner plates* (*not official measurements 😉). If a long boat ride sounds boring, then you’ve been on board the wrong boats. This one is endlessly fascinating. Every passing iceberg is unique in shape, tone and pattern making the journey a photographer’s buffet of potential shots. Before...

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Photographing the Lunar Landscapes of Valle de la Luna, Chile

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 23:04:43 +0000

Landscape Photography Adventures in Valle de la Luna, Chile. Declared a natural sanctuary in 1982, Chile’s Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) is home to an other-worldly landscape of salt flats, craters, sand dunes and rock formations. Located in the Atacama Desert, the dry lunar like landscape attracts nature lovers year round and is inspiring from the first glimpse of its rugged beauty. Photographers, you need to add this to your wish list. Sitting at 2550metres above sea level, this natural wonder is simply extraordinary with endless patterns, shapes and colours resulting in composition possibilities in all directions. Carved by the elements over centuries, the weathered landscapes are impacted by wind patterns and the extreme climate of its geography within the driest desert on earth. I recently visited in May when the nights were chilly and days a perfect blend of sunshine and cool air. The Atacama Desert has over 300 days of sunshine and it’s this fact combined with extremely low humidity levels that result in ideal conditions for photographers and visibility for miles. Where to Photograph the Valle de la Luna To really capture the beauty of the valley, you’ll need to base yourself in...

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The Stockton Sand Dunes – Stories + Camera Settings

Deb Newton — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 03:32:41 +0000

Let’s take a stroll through the sand dunes of Stockton with Deb Newton of Lens and Muse, local photographer and contributor of The Wandering Lens. Powerful, breathtaking and ever-changing, the Stockton sand dunes located on the Worimi Conservation Lands in Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia are an ever-changing kaleidoscope of sweeping curves, textures, unique patterns, colours and dynamic contrasts of light and shadow. Quite simply put, these masses of shifting sand are a photographer’s dream. The Port Stephens area, located a short drive from Newcastle, is in and of itself, a photogenic paradise. From azure blue bays and surf beaches, to the towering headland of Tomaree National Park, and an abundance of walking trails snaking through nature reserves dotted along the coastline, there are plenty of landscapes to be inspired by. It’s easy to see why so many photographers have Port Stephens on their list of places to capture. Another inspiring landscape located in the Port Stephens area is the Stockton Sand Dunes located on the Worimi Conservation Lands. At a length of 32km, the Stockton Sand Dunes are the longest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, and at their peak, can reach up to 50 metres high....

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Shooting in the Low Light Conditions of Polar Night

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 08:02:51 +0000

Photographing in Low Light: Polar Night + Arctic Wilderness Conditions can’t get any darker than dark and that’s what you’re faced with when photographing the landscapes of Lapland during the Polar Night period. It does however have its advantages. While the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon for the months of polar night (mid-winter), it can get pretty close. Instead of sunlight, the sun produces a beautiful pastel tone for about 2-4 hours each day. During this time if the sky is clear, you’re treated to a constant dusk or blue hour, almost ideal conditions for landscape photography without the need to wake up early, or stay out late! Actually, you’ll be photographing ideal twilight conditions at lunch time! The stark contrast between white snow-covered scenery and a colourful sky is akin to walking through a snow globe. Provided you’re equipped to handle the chilly conditions, you can aim to spend those pastel hours snow shoeing through forests in search of that perfect frozen photo. With the incredible stability of the OM SYSTEM cameras (and earlier OM-D systems such as the E-M1 MKII + E-M1 MKIII with Olympus), tripods aren’t a total necessity even when shooting aurora and stars. When...

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Experience The Great Bear Rainforest at Farewell Harbour Lodge

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 11:18:56 +0000

Visual Hotel Review: Farewell Harbour Lodge, Canada Taking a deep breath as I sat on the boat’s bow, sunshine as warm as the tea in my hand beaming down, water lapping gently on the hull and my camera already filled with images of Grizzly Bears. I closed my eyes and began to imagine what this scene must appear like when viewed from above… There we were, a little boat floating amongst towering mountains rising from an archipelago of islands in a calm water cove where bears roam the shores while humpbacks and orcas cruise the seas. A palette of greens blending into blues within the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world! Opening my eyes again proved this place is in fact a reality… Welcome to the Great Bear Rainforest of Canada and in particular, one very special corner of it called Farewell Harbour Lodge on Berry Island. Here the word lush takes on a new meaning as forests home to some of the oldest and largest trees meet waters so full of life you can barely travel a few minutes without seeing seals, dolphins or the gentle giants of the sea cruising by. Words fail to describe the calmness...

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Travel with Purpose – Enriching Ways to Experience the World

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 10:52:50 +0000

If we think about why we travel, the reasons can vary from seeking total relaxation and an escape from the everyday hustle, to craving cultural immersion and once in a lifetime experiences. You may love all-inclusive resort holidays, wilderness lodges, roughing it a little or splurging on luxury hotels. Maybe islands are your thing, you love hunting down historic sites or can’t go past a bedazzled bazaar. Whatever your travel style, have you considered travelling with purpose? I was recently invited to an industry breakfast event at the Australian Museum in Sydney, for the announcement of Adventure World’s key initiatives and their company mission, ‘Travel with Purpose’. It’s this very phrase that’s been at the forefront of my mind over the past few years. Constant travel, for both work and personal photography projects, made me question, why do I travel and how can I create or experience something meaningful when I do? It’s so easy to get swept up in the content driven mindset of, “I need to go there, see it and capture that dream photo”, but when we stop to consider our motivation, are there better, more fulfilling ways to experience the world? What we see on social...

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