National Geographic photographer capturing seven Natural Wonders of the world using only a smartphone

AWARD-winning National Geographic photographer Stephen Alvarez captured these breathtaking images. The catch? He did it with an amazingly cheap camera.

THE layers of hard frozen snow and black ice weren’t thick enough for crampons, so every step was a gamble. One wrong move would mean certain death.

National Geographic photographer Stephen Alvarez knew climbing through steep ice-filled couloirs was always going to be a challenge but be was willing to risk it to get the perfect shot.

So he hiked in a snowstorm some 7600 metres above sea level to secure the perfect vantage point to capture a stunning image of Mexico’s Paricutin volcano as it erupted at dawn.

Having traversed the globe and navigated some of the world’s most dangerous terrain for the past two decades, Alvarez was no stranger to undertaking a gruelling journey for his art.

Yet this particular assignment felt a little easier.

It probably had to do with the fact his back and shoulders weren’t straining under the weight of a camera bag filled to the brim with copious amounts of photography paraphernalia.

Alvarez was currently on his fourth assignment on a mission to photographing the Seven Natural Wonders of the world equipped only with a smartphone.

“I find the smartphone really frees me up because the package is so light,” he told news.com.au

“When you’re climbing mountains carrying large cameras and lenses, the journey can be quite tenuous.”

With that in mind, he removed his phone and started to capture breathtaking images of an active volcano as ice and sleet fell from the sky.

It was a scorching 48C when Alvarez landed in Phoenix to begin his first shoot of the series — a ten-day assignment capturing the American west armed only with the Microsoft Lumia 1020.

“I am National Geographic photographer and am used to using the best equipment with unlimited budgets,” he said.

“Now they wanted me to just use a telephone and I must admit I was totally incredulous at first.

“But, I have spent my career doing things with cameras you shouldn’t be able to do, so I was up for the technical challenge.”

Alvarez appeared confident on the outside and by all accounts everything was running smoothly.

That’s if you describe shooting from wind-tossed planes, scrambling up rock pinnacles and dangling off ropes in order to capture the perfect image as running smoothly.

But, everything came crashing down after he received a phone call from National Geographic while shooting the Grand Canyon.

“They told me I was to shoot a gatefold picture for the inside cover of the Nat Geo 125th anniversary photography special,” he said.

“I almost threw up. I was close to hanging up the phone and pretending it never happened.”

Despite his worries, Alvarez obtained the shot and it ran as intended in the special edition of the magazine.

“When we first started publishing the images people said I had used a DSLR because I couldn’t capture high-quality images on a smartphone,” he said.

“But in the two years since we started, that conversation has shifted entirely and now everyone accepts smartphones can capture amazing images.”

Check out some of his pictures below

While the first five assignments may have presented physical challenges, it was his recent visit to the Great Barrier Reef that troubled Alvarez the most.

“One of the big challenges with shooting the Great Barrier Reef is the fact it is all under water,” he said.

“And because the phone we used was only released two days before I left, I had no time to get housing manufactured,” he said.

Feeling the need to perform, Alvarez put on his MacGyver hat and created a waterproof case from scratch.

“What we ended up doing was taking a normal bag and cutting a hole in it where the lens goes. We then glued a piece of optical acrylic to the front,” he said.

“I was pretty nervous when I first got in the water. It looked like it was going to work, but I was hoping we had a spare phone just in case,” he said.

“Everything ended up going to plan, and it was an amazing feeling to take a phone and make it work in environment it wasn’t really designed for.”

When reflecting on his adventure to date, Alvarez admits he has been lucky to capture some great images.

However, he is quick to acknowledge there is nothing stopping others achieving his level of photographs using a smartphone.

“The best camera in the world is the one that’s in your hand when the photo opportunity arises and for most photographers, amateur or professional, it’s going to be a telephone,” he said.

Alverez came up with a waterproof case for his phone at the last minute, giving him the chance to capture the Great Barrier Reef.

While Alvarez is confident everyone is able to capture amazing images on their phone, he has decided to give a list of tips to help you shoot like a pro.

• When you are in the moment and things are starting to come together just keep shooting. There is no such thing as too many images.

• When possible, always try to avoid portrait and shoot in landscape as it is more aesthetically pleasing

• Don’t be afraid to use a tripod and if one isn’t available, rest your phone of the palm of your hand for extra stabilisation

• Play around with the interface your phone gives you. Change the exposure, white balance and other features present on your phone

• Frame the picture you want to capture as its easier than shooting wide and having to crop at a later date

• Use the screen markings such as rule of thirds to help you better frame your picture

• The cloud is there to help, so frequently back up all of your pictures in case you accidentally lose your phone while leaning over the edge of Mount Everest

• Share your images on all of the social media platforms designed to showcase your snaps

• Most of all, have a great time because photography is a lot fun and meant to be enjoyed

Originally published as National Geographic photographer capturing seven Natural Wonders of the world using only a smartphone