More time, more quality photos

“Thermal vision has many areas of use for wildlife photographers. But it also has even more benefits. I continue to discover new ways to apply thermal imaging devices in my everyday work. There are many advantages you might not think of until you have tried and experienced them yourself”, says Magnus.

He continues that the first application of thermal vision for photographers is the ability to see in the dark, which helps to improve the quality of the pictures.

“Naturally, this is a huge aid when photographing animals, especially wild, shy ones that are usually active at dawn and dusk. Thermal imaging devices help to locate them long before there’s enough light to take a photo. If you can find the animals you want to capture well before dawn, you have extra time to position yourself in a good spot, find interesting compositions, and create better conditions to take quality photos as soon as there is enough light”, notes the photographer.

Magnus ensures that even though seeing in the dark is the most obvious advantage, thermal vision lends a hand in the daytime as well.

“When searching for birds in a winter mountain environment, some are not easy to spot with the naked eye. Such are the white ptarmigans. But since thermal binoculars detect heat, they easily distinguish a white bird on even whiter snow”, says the photographer.

By scanning the area with a thermal imaging device, I can always be aware of my surroundings and capture more.

Magnus Winbjörk

He continues that thermal vision is very useful when he’s trying to capture amazing photos of dark animals in mixed forests, with both pines and dense underbrush: “Even though moose are very large, it is common for them to hide in the shadow side of the bushes. It becomes difficult to spot them with the human eye or even regular binoculars. But even if the underbrush is very dense, there are always gaps to see through. That’s where a thermal device comes in and helps to bring the animal to light.”

According to Magnus, thermal imaging devices also keep his sight fresh and sharp, allowing him to avoid eye fatigue. 

“Imagine that it’s winter, the middle of the day. Everything on the ground is white, the trees are covered in snow, and the sun is really bright. In such conditions, it’s very difficult to look around without squinting your eyes, and you must wear sunglasses. So if you’re using traditional optical devices, the eyes become tired easily. Thanks to thermal vision, you can scan the area without straining your eyes, making the trip to the wild more enjoyable”, adds Magnus.

A rewarding experience

When talking about specific devices, the photographer singles out the Telos LRF XL50 monocular and the Merger LRF XL50 binoculars, each doing the work in different circumstances.

“The Telos LRF XL50 is well-suited for long trips. In my opinion, this device has the perfect balance between size and quality – it’s relatively compact and lightweight without compromising the overall performance. But if I’m traveling by car or snowmobile, or if I’m staying still, scanning the surroundings for long periods, I often use the Merger LRF XL50 binoculars. In this case, the weight and size of the device don’t matter as much, therefore I prefer to have a more relaxing viewing experience using both eyes”, emphasizes Magnus.

To conclude, he adds that thermal devices not only significantly increase his chances of capturing good photos but also ensure he works in a respectful and responsible manner.

“As a photographer, the last thing you want is to scare the animals. With thermal vision, I can approach animals in a more controlled and careful way. More and more often, I’ve been able to position myself in favorable conditions to photograph the animal and then leave without it having fled. This feels very rewarding”, says Magnus.