Antarctica photography tips: Part 2

There can be stunning photo opportunities in Antarctica – massive icebergs and glaciers below skies of wonderful colours and variations and huge penguin rookeries with their extraordinary levels of activity and interaction to name a few.

These days, most people use digital, so it's possible to edit images with Photoshop or similar when you get back home (one concedes that pink or purple penguins are no longer out of the question). 

But the better the original, the more you can do with it later, or the less you actually need or want to do with it.

Tips and hints

1. Some people we know have made a valiant attempt to photograph just about every penguin in Antarctica – beware that many shots will look much the same. Aim for variation in your pictures – close, medium and group shots; swimming, walking, tobogganing, running and interacting with their chicks.

2. For scenery shots, a wide angle lens is very important. You just cannot photograph a tabular 'berg, or the face of a glacier or a mountain range with a telephoto lens unless you are a long distance away.  A good general wide-angle zoom is something in the range of 18mm to 70mm.

3. Weather and lighting conditions in Antarctica can vary dramatically, sometimes within a couple of hours.  Fog, low cloud, the occasional storm, brilliant blue sky and still conditions, perhaps some drizzle or even some snow can all be on the menu.  They are all part of the Antarctic experience. But my first rule is that when you get fine and clear conditions – go for your camera and take as much as you can.

The colours and shapes of the ice can be amazing, with a thousand different shades of blue and turquoise on offer, and often some truly beautiful reflections to behold. If the day is fine, use it to the utmost.

If there is mist or fog you can sometimes get some good mood photos, and interesting lighting effects, but how often can you see photos such as these in a brochure!?

4. Provided you have adequate battery power, review your photos frequently, especially on a sunny day.  The very strong light reflected off snow, ice or sea can  sometimes "trick" the light meters into thinking there is much more light than is necessary, which can lead it selecting a wrong exposure setting. The result is that the whites come out grey. Be prepared to bracket your shots, or to override the exposure which your camera might select automatically.

About the author: Peter Lemon has been connected with Gecko's since 1983.  A passionate photographer, he has travelled extensively in Nepal, Antarctica and endlessly in Africa ever since. 

This is Part 2 of Peter Lemon's blog about photography in Antarctica. Read Part 1 here

If you have a question for Peter, leave it in the comments section below. You can also add your own tips to twitter or Facebook.

To celebrate the launch of Gecko’s in Antarctica, we are offering 25% off all Gecko’s Antarctica voyages. Take a look at our exciting new trips and start planning your unforgettable voyage today. Find out more

Sale

To celebrate the launch of Gecko’s in Antarctica, we are offering 25% off all Gecko’s Antarctica voyages. Take a look at our exciting new trips and start planning your unforgettable voyage today. Find out more

Win

Simply subscribe to our monthly eNews and you'll go in the running to win an iPad2! Visit the website to subscribe today!

• Tweet