Photography Program Exclusive to the Ocean Endeavour
Photographs are the means of capturing a moment forever, which we can revisit and share with others for many years to come. Don’t let the unforgettable experience end as you leave Antarctica - take home the best memories you can by capturing and developing incredible images with our Antarctica Photography Workshops. This optional activity is perfect if you are passionate about photography, or just passionate about capturing the beautiful landscape and wildlife you will encounter on your incredible Antarctic adventure.
Is the Photography Program for you?
Our onboard photography workshop is the perfect opportunity for those passionate about photography to develop and expand their skillset. Our board program you will give you access to the critical expertise needed to focus and develop your skills in one of the worlds most visually encapsulating settings. For most travellers – whether experienced photographers or amateur shutterbugs – Antarctica serves as the photographic opportunity of a lifetime. For those wanting to return home with the shot of a spectacularly glistening iceberg or an image that perfectly encapsulates the curious nature of an Adelie penguin, the Photography Program is designed to give you the time, knowledge, equipment, and unforgettable moments needed to return home with your perfectly envisioned photograph. By joining our program, you will also have exclusive access to ride in our forward-facing explorer boats – giving you the perfect opportunity to seek the action faster, travel further and discover unique angles and spaces to let you get extra creative.
Equipment
Our dedicated photography workshop will guide you through the essential steps in your photography journey, from taking photos to editing them for the best result. As such, we encourage our guests to utilise bring their own camera and other relevant equipment they may have as well as their devices to transfer and process images. See FAQ’s below for our complete checklist.
Dedicated Photography Zodiac Excursion
To give you the best possible opportunity to capture amazing images, Photography Workshop participants will have dedicated Zodiac and photography guided landings. Your Polar Photography Guide will accompany you and give you tips and tricks along the way for taking that perfect picture.
As a small group, you will be able to capture uninterrupted images of the surroundings and wildlife with ease. And for zodiac cruising, Photography Workshop participants will have access to the Ocean Endeavour’s forward facing Zodiacs, which offer stability for photography as well as unobstructed views.
Dedicated Photography Lectures
Learn more about photography and taking that perfect image in our exclusive photography lectures lead by your dedicated Polar Photography Guide. Some of the thing you can learn about include composition, camera settings, exposure & lighting, wildlife photography tips, and landscape imaging.
Get a head start with our blog on Antarctica Photography.
Photography Editing Workshop
Didn’t quite catch the perfect image? Or maybe you want to enhance the beauty you captured to try and replicate the feeling you had when you saw it in real life. On board, photography editing workshops will instruct participants to enhance images and make sure they look their absolute best, so your memories can live on in the same manner. Your Polar Photography Guide will teach you how to use your editing software and guide you along the way to make your beautiful images even more stunning.
Secure your place
The photography workshop must be pre-booked as limited spaces are available. Please contact your booking agent to check availability and pricing.
OUR GUIDES
With years of Antarctic experience between them and an array of awards to speak to their achievements, our photography guides have been handpicked as the best from their field. Both on and off the ship, our guides will be by your side to make sure you have the knowledge, the skill and the eye to see and capture those once-in-a-lifetime photographs that the Antarctic affords. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or an iPhone-only enthusiast, our guides will be available for tuition in photographic basics, editing and advanced technique to make sure everyone goes home with a mitt-full of fantastic photographs and new and improved skills in the art of image-making.
Curtis Jones
It takes a certain personality to appreciate the details of a climate rarely inhabited by people. Curtis has spent most of his career saturating himself in the polar regions of the planet, dividing his residency between Newfoundland and Nunavut, Canada.
Jason Ransom
Jason began working as a naturalist guide after falling in love with the the Canadian arctic in 2016. Hailing from London, Ontario, Jason now splits his time between northern Canada, Antarctica and other guiding/photography assignments around the globe.
Kim Nesbitt
From traveling the world working on scientific endeavors, Kim always carried a camera to the beautiful places she found herself, not knowing it would eventually turn into a lifelong passion and career. Her images have been featured on National Geographic online as well as multiple outdoor companies’
Simon Ager
Simons’ career spanning 18 years as a TV graphic artist creating opening titles for such shows as BBC’s “Wildlife on One”, news camera and as an award winning Visual FX artist for film and television, most notably Stargate SG1, Angels & Demons, I Robot and Tropic Thunder to name a few.
Yuri Choufour
Yuri Choufour is a Canadian nature and expedition photographer, who’s been fascinated with the natural world since early childhood. After obtaining a diploma in professional photography, and an award for photojournalism, he completed an internship with the Calgary Herald.
Bruno Cazarini
Born in Campinas, Southeast of Brazil, from a very young age Bruno was introduced to the endangered Atlantic rain forest and developed a strong sense of respect for the beauty of nature but also its fragility.
Photography Program Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of camera should I bring?
All cameras are welcome and catered for in the workshop programming - from DSLRs to iPhones. The photography opportunities become plentiful as soon as we leave the dock so rather than arriving at the ship with a brand new camera, we suggest bringing one that you are familiar with and feel comfortable using. It’s also a good idea to bring along your camera’s manual for quick reference when needing to find new settings and functions.
Do I need to be an advanced photographer to attend the program?
No! We’ve designed the syllabus of the program to cater for all levels of ability. Rather than seeing the workshop program as an advanced photography course, it’s better to think of it as a chance to maximize your photographic opportunities across excursions and to accelerate your learning of the craft to ensure you make the most of your once-in-a-lifetime chance to capture stunning images of the Antarctic.
What sort of content will be covered in the lecture program?
The Antarctic is a place that presents many opportunities as well as many challenges to photographers. The wildlife and landscapes here are like none others on Earth - meaning unique subjects for once-in-a-lifetime images are around every corner. The onboard lecture program will prepare you for what to expect - both technically and conceptually - each day. Your guides will cover topics like exposure, composition, picture editing, workflows and digital imaging all in consideration of the trips planned itinerary, meaning that you can embark upon each excursion with the confidence and knowledge to achieve stunning results.
How can I keep my camera safe from the elements in Antarctica?
While in Antarctica, the cold, wind and waves of the Peninsula can mean occasional challenging conditions for photographers. We suggest to bring along a few tools for keeping your camera dry and warm that will mean you can maximise your time behind the lens.
This includes a dry bag or a bag with great insulation, several cleaning cloths and “rocket blower” for getting rid of water droplets and dust as well as a few spare batteries for your camera as Lithium units tend to drain quickly in lower temperatures.
Should I bring a laptop/iPad?
While we will certainly be looking to maximize our time taking photographs on excursions and out on deck around the ship, in the evenings we will also be offering editing workshops along with advice on storing, processing and formatting your images ready for print and social media. Much like your choice of camera, we suggest bringing your own device - one that you are comfortable using and with software that you are familiar with. For those photographers who are shooting RAW files, it is also a good idea to make sure that your device is capable of reading the image files that come from your camera before you get to the ship!
My camera has interchangeable lenses. Which should I bring?
Whether zodiac cruising, landing or photographing from the ship, the vast array of photographic opportunities in the Antarctic means that on any given day you could be seeing whales on the horizon or sitting on the beach just feet away from penguins. But Antarctica’s elements and our hands-on excursions can also mean that changing lenses is not always ideal.
Taking these things into account, we suggest brining a couple of zoom lenses that will cover most focal lengths.
A 24-70mm as well as a 70-200mm should cover most scenarios and wildlife we are likely to encounter.
While the wildlife in Antarctica is rarely shy, for those with a keen interest in wildlife photography, an even longer telephoto zoom lens is an added bonus. A 100-400mm is typically more than adequate.
Should I bring a flash or other lights with me?
Due to the sensitive nature of Antarctic wildlife (most of whom have never seen a human being before!), we don’t encourage the use of any flash photography while on excursion.
A flash is a terrific idea if you are interested in photographing around the ship - capturing images of the spaces and faces that you have shared your voyage with – but when outside, it is mostly unnecessary. Mainly due to the long hours of Antarctic daylight!
Should I bring any other equipment?
While the Antarctic’s photogenic nature means you can capture astounding images on an iPhone and DSLR alike, several pieces of equipment can help to keep your camera safe and at times improve your ability for creativity. A few items to consider to add to your kit might include: a UV filter to avoid any damage to your lens from snow and sand, a circular polarizing filter to reduce any glare and reflections likely to be encountered when out on the water and a neutral density filter to allow for long exposures during the long hours of daylight. A remote control can give you the ability to use the “bulb” function in your camera as well as allowing you trigger the shutter from a distance without scaring wildlife (for wireless models). If you’re interested in shooting video, a shotgun microphone that can be mounted on your camera is great for capturing better sound and an inexpensive stabilizer/gimbal will help you achieve much smoother footage when out and about in zodiacs or on land.
EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST:
> Camera
> Lens
> Spare Batteries
> Battery Charger and Power Leads
> Power Adaptor
> Extra Memory Cards
> Lens Filters (Polarizer; ND)
> Tripod
> Wireless Remote/Cable Release
Cleaning supplies:
> Microfiber Cloth/Pecpads
> Rocket Blower
> Laptop and power cables
> A large and tough drybag for your camera during excursions