About
I am Michael Wieser, and I live in southern Alberta, Canada. I photograph wildlife within the landscapes that sustain it, looking for moments that suggest connection, presence, and belonging.
I value quiet encounters with wildlife—unhurried, respectful, and attentive. I am especially drawn to images that show an animal as part of a larger landscape rather than apart from it.
I make photographs that leave room for reflection and convey something of the experience of being there.
Ethics and the Photographer
The welfare of the animal and the integrity of its environment always take precedence over making a photograph. I work quietly, keep a respectful distance, and avoid manipulating the scene or influencing an animal’s behaviour. The wildlife shown here is wild; the animals were neither baited nor coerced for these photographs.
For me, ethical photography begins with recognizing the intrinsic value of wildlife and natural places, independent of the images they might allow us to make.
Why Optic Nervous?
The name describes a state of attentive anticipation: watching closely, without knowing what might happen next. Photography connects me directly to my surroundings and encourages me to be fully present within them.
Contact
Find me on Instagram or contact me by email.
© Michael Wieser. Images may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial use as desktop or device wallpaper. Reproduction, republication, redistribution, modification, or any commercial use requires prior written permission.