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Antarctica Anyone
- Thread starter JoelM
- Start date
Shashin
Well-known member
Joel, sorry, but Antarctica and the South Pole are the same place?
If you are looking for an Arctic adventure, I would consider places in Northern Canada or US (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Alaska), Ellesmere Island, northern Yukon Territory, Hudson Bay), Greenland, and Svalbard. You can even drive to some of those places: Dempster Highway (Rt 5), for example, will take you to the arctic.
As for specific tours, I am unsure, but I might start with identifying the area first.
If you are looking for an Arctic adventure, I would consider places in Northern Canada or US (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Alaska), Ellesmere Island, northern Yukon Territory, Hudson Bay), Greenland, and Svalbard. You can even drive to some of those places: Dempster Highway (Rt 5), for example, will take you to the arctic.
As for specific tours, I am unsure, but I might start with identifying the area first.
GrahamWelland
Subscriber & Workshop Member
There are a number of quality workshops out there, such as:
Antarctica Photo Workshop
Photograph penguins, whales, seals, dramatic icebergs, and much more! Stay in style on our exclusive, ice-strengthened vessel and maximize your time on shore. Photography comes first on our voyages, so you'll never miss the great light!
muenchworkshops.com
I would normally point you to Kevin Raber's Rockhopper photo workshops, but he seems to have stopped doing the Antarctica workshops.
Just google "antarctica photography workshop", and you'll find a bunch of entries. It does seem like some of these cross-references to each other (such as the Meunch tutors) but a good place to start.
thedigitalbean
Member
I’ve done many trips. For wildlife I’d look at South Georgia Island, where you can see the massive colonies of breeding penguins. Antarctica also has penguin opportunities but has more for the spectacular landscapes. For tour operators, there are plenty, my main advice would be to avoid big boats (more than 100 passengers). Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris is great as is Kevin Raber’s Rockhoppper.
I have images from both on my website: www.akimagery.com
The emperor images were from a dedicated emperors trip, so don’t expect to see emperors unless you are doing that one.
I have images from both on my website: www.akimagery.com
The emperor images were from a dedicated emperors trip, so don’t expect to see emperors unless you are doing that one.
GrahamWelland
Subscriber & Workshop Member
+1 on this. I've booked twice and ended up cancelling twice because of this.
Also, avoid workshops where you are the paying customer for hosts to expand their portfolio vs working with you. (Michael Reichman - RIP). I can explain more if you want to DM me vs the forum. It's a common problem in "exotic" locations.
dchew
Well-known member
I've been once, just this past December. The scenery is amazing, especially the west side of the peninsula; Lemaire Channel, The Gullet, Paradise Bay, Neko Harbour, Wilhelmina Bay are all wonderful as are many other locations. There are plenty of penguin colonies, seals, whales and various birds. I would decide if you want wildlife, scenery or a mixture of both. I have not been to South Georgia Island, but as @thedigitalbean said, it is probably the best for pure wildlife. I echo there are many options. If you want other mammals, you have to go north, not south. The scenery is endless rock, snow, ice and glaciers.
It is an experience of a lifetime; I highly recommend it. I did a Lindblad Expedition, which was NOT a dedicated photo trip, and it was 125 passengers. As Graham and others have pointed out, I wouldn't go with a larger group than that, and if you wanted a photo dedicated trip I would target even smaller groups. The newer ships are real wonders of engineering. I could even use a tripod from the ship.
I think the actual South Pole and much of the mainland of Antarctica is not as "target rich" as the peninsula, which has many islands and is quite mountainous.
Dave
It is an experience of a lifetime; I highly recommend it. I did a Lindblad Expedition, which was NOT a dedicated photo trip, and it was 125 passengers. As Graham and others have pointed out, I wouldn't go with a larger group than that, and if you wanted a photo dedicated trip I would target even smaller groups. The newer ships are real wonders of engineering. I could even use a tripod from the ship.
I think the actual South Pole and much of the mainland of Antarctica is not as "target rich" as the peninsula, which has many islands and is quite mountainous.
Dave
SGreenberg
Member
South Pole Station is only open to NSF researchers, and there's almost nothing to photograph there except labs and experiments.