Beyond The Lens

Welcome to the official nature journal of Zack Clothier. Here, you’ll find stories from the field, insights into camera trapping, notes on photography gear, and reflections from time spent in the backcountry—alongside newly released prints and a collection of photography-focused articles.

Categories:
It's Not The Camera, It's The Photographer: Why Vision Matters More Than Gear
It's Not The Camera, It's The Photographer: Why Vision Matters More Than Gear
May 11, 2026

It’s one of the most common misconceptions in photography, that the camera itself is responsible for the final image. In reality, the camera is simply a tool. An important tool, yes, but not the thing that creates compelling photographs. The true difference comes from the photographer behind it: their understanding of light, composition, timing, behavior, atmosphere, and the ability to recognize meaningful moments when they unfold.

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Camera Trapping Grizzly Bears in Montana
Camera Trapping Grizzly Bears in Montana
April 23, 2026

Ever since capturing my internationally award-winning print Grizzly Remains, I’ve been drawn back to a single question: what else is possible with these formidable animals? This year, I set out to explore that question by deploying a series of DSLR camera traps in the wilds of Montana, hoping to capture grizzly bears on their own terms, far from roads and human presence...

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Mountain Lion vs Mule Deer: A Rare Predator-Prey Encounter
Mountain Lion vs Mule Deer: A Rare Predator-Prey Encounter
December 22, 2025
A once-in-a-lifetime predator-prey moment captured in Montana

I spend a lot of time in wild places, but nothing could have prepared me for what unfolded on that cold October evening in western Montana...

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2024: A Year Of Nature
2024: A Year Of Nature
January 1, 2025

From flying helicopters in the icy heart of winter in Alaska, to remote camera trapping in the mountains of Montana, I continued to push the boundaries of what is possible with a camera—capturing our natural world as you’ve never seen it before! The photographs that you see here, in order of when they were captured, represent what I consider to be my finest work from 2024...

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What Is A DSLR Camera Trap & How Does It Work?
What Is A DSLR Camera Trap & How Does It Work?
April 21, 2024

If you follow me on any of the social media channels, you have likely heard me talk about DSLR camera traps. I use them extensively to capture extraordinary photographs of wildlife in their natural habitats...

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My Best Photographs of 2023 Part II: America The Wild
My Best Photographs of 2023 Part II: America The Wild
January 15, 2024

Part II of my “Best Of” blog piece focuses on my most memorable wildlife encounters of 2023. I’m blessed here in Montana to not have to travel very far to photograph a wide variety of wildlife species...

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My Best Photographs Of 2023 Part I: America The Beautiful
My Best Photographs Of 2023 Part I: America The Beautiful
January 1, 2024

Another year has come to a close, and how fast it has gone. It seems like it was just yesterday when I was immersed in these incredible landscapes. In a world where AI "photos" are becoming the “norm” on the web, I find solace in knowing that I can still create these works of art in the field, in nature, not behind a computer using software to artificially generate a scene...

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Revealing the Secret Lives of Wild Animals through Remote Camera Trap Photography
Revealing the Secret Lives of Wild Animals through Remote Camera Trap Photography
March 27, 2023

Nature and wildlife have always been an integral part of my life. Whenever I am photographing wild animals, I am always trying to capture them in a unique and inspiring way. I want the viewer to feel an emotional connection to the animal, just as though they were standing right there when the photograph was being made. One thing that has always fascinated me are the rare and elusive animals that exist in the world but are rarely observed in the wild.

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My Best Nature Photographs from 2022
My Best Nature Photographs from 2022
January 1, 2023

In 2022, I continued to expand my DSLR camera trapping efforts in Montana. Specifically, I wanted to capture a collection of fine art photographs of wildlife within the larger landscape. I wanted to show where these animals live. I spent a lot of time studying maps, searching for locations that coincided with what I had in mind. Once I located these areas on a map, it was time to lace up my boots and go explore these areas on foot.

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My Best Nature Photographs from 2021
My Best Nature Photographs from 2021
January 1, 2022

A naturalist at heart, I've always been intrigued by wild animals. The ability to not only adapt, but to survive in nature is truly remarkable. As far back as I can remember, one of my favorite past times has been tracking animals. Truth be told, it was tracking that led me down this path of pursuing a career in nature photography.

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2021 International Wildlife Photographer of the Year!
2021 International Wildlife Photographer of the Year!
Oct 12, 2021

I am pleased to announce that this photograph took 1st place in the “Animals In Their Environments” category in the coveted international Wildlife Photographer Of The Year competition!

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