{"id":31395,"date":"2019-01-07T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-06T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=31395&preview=true&preview_id=31395"},"modified":"2025-03-25T04:47:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T17:47:46","slug":"polar-photography-guide-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/polar-photography-guide-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Your essential guide to polar photography"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article originally appeared on The Wanderer<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt the polar<\/a> ends of our planet contain some of the most dramatic and breathtaking environs on Earth. Where else could you encounter giant icebergs drifting along the face of an even larger glacier, or the vast sense of scale offered by a white desert?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s even the chance to snap stunning close-ups and behaviour from many wildlife species, some who have barely ever seen humankind. It\u2019s these elements that make polar travel so completely unique, and the opportunities to capture it with your camera, priceless.<\/p>\n

\"TravellersBut for all its natural beauty, the\u00a0Arctic<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Antarctica<\/a>\u00a0present a unique challenge to photographers shooting in extreme temperatures and inclement weather. For Michael Snedic, a professional wildlife photographer and tutor who has been running\u00a0photography expeditions<\/a>\u00a0across the globe for 16 years, the challenges of polar photography might seem imposing, but they can be overcome with preparation and practice.<\/p>\n

\u2018I love taking people into these parts of the world and teaching them how to get the best possible photos\u2019, says Michael. \u2018There are lots of photo techniques I teach my photography students during photo expeditions. It is, however, possible to capture some amazing photos from your trip, simply by following a few basic principles.\u2019<\/p>\n

EXPERIENCE THE WORLD’S POLAR REGIONS ON AN INTREPID ADVENTURE – DETAILS HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Here are some of Michael\u2019s top photo tips:<\/p>\n

1. Keep warm and waterproof<\/h2>\n

It might be stating the obvious, but the Arctic and Antarctica are incredibly cold, so it\u2019s important to pack correctly to ensure you\u2019re kept warm when exploring either from the ship or on a Zodiac. After all, you can\u2019t operate a camera if your fingers are too cold to touch the dials and press the shutter button!<\/p>\n

\"TravellersWhile you should pack thermals (both tops and bottoms) as well as a beanie and waterproof jackets, Michael recommends packing fingerless glove mittens with a flap that can be pulled from your fingers when you need to adjust camera settings. It\u2019s also a good idea to pack extra batteries and a fully waterproof bag or camera backpack that you can fit your camera and lens (or lenses) into. This will protect it from getting wet while travelling on the Zodiac during more turbulent weather and keep it safe from any accidents while embarking or disembarking from the ship.<\/p>\n

2. Practice makes perfect<\/h2>\n

\"TravellersAccording to Michael, a greater familiarity with your camera\u2019s settings before you travel means there\u2019s less chance of making a mistake while out in the field. Make sure to look at your settings, learn which work best for you and your level of experience, and then practice, practice, practice.<\/p>\n

\u2018There\u2019s often a bit of downtime on the ship, so it\u2019s always a good idea to go on the back deck and practice\u2019, says Michael. \u2018And the more you practice, the easier it becomes. You\u2019ll get some shots that may not work but use them as a learning curve and look at the ones that work and continue to just keep practicing until you achieve better results.\u2019<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID\u2019S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL STORIES, COMPETITIONS & MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018One of the most common mistakes photographers make is forgetting about their exposure\u2019, says Michael. When travelling in the polar regions, you\u2019ll be surrounded by plenty of ice, snow and water \u2013 all reflective surfaces that project a lot of light into your camera\u2019s sensor. The result of over exposure means images can be completely overblown or washed-out.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve seen and heard plenty of stories where people go on these incredible trips but get exposure wrong. So teaching people the best ways to achieve correct exposure is very important.\u2019<\/p>\n

The best way to get around exposure is to practice in a variety of different settings and become familiar with the shutter speed, aperture and ISO on your camera. These settings can all help manage the exposure of your photographs. If you\u2019re not familiar or comfortable with this level of detail in your camera, some cameras also have a \u2018scene\u2019 mode with pre-filled settings (such as snow or landscape) that may help adjust your exposure.<\/p>\n

3. Use a quick shutter speed<\/h2>\n

\"AWhen it comes to capturing \u2018action\u2019 or behavioural shots of wildlife, the best advice is to \u2018act fast!\u2019 There are also a few things you can do to ensure you capture great wildlife images.<\/p>\n

\u2018Using a wide aperture when you\u2019re taking wildlife shots is a good idea\u2019, suggests Michael. \u2018It lets more light into your camera and gives you a faster shutter speed.\u2019 This will help blur out the background and can result in some dramatic portraits. Michael also suggests focusing on the animal\u2019s eyes when you can. Focusing on the eyes means you keep the animal\u2019s face in focus.<\/p>\n

\"A4. Embrace the moment<\/h2>\n

It can be easy getting lost in taking photos, constantly checking the playback to admire your own handiwork while ignoring the penguins patiently waiting just metres from you. While being ready to snap wildlife at a moment\u2019s notice is crucial, Michael always tell his students it\u2019s also important to remember where you are, and to take a moment to put the camera down and appreciate the incredible environment.<\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t think a lot of people realise, and photos don\u2019t often do it justice until you are here, how incredibly close we can get to the wildlife and scenery. It\u2019s absolutely amazing.\u2019<\/p>\n

Now you\u2019ve got the inside word, why not browse Peregrine\u2019s range of\u00a0Arctic<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Antarctic<\/a>\u00a0expeditions. You can also learn more about Michael\u2019s\u00a0WildNature Photo Expeditions here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

All images by Justin Meneguzzi.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For all its natural beauty, the\u00a0Arctic\u00a0and\u00a0Antarctica\u00a0present a unique challenge to photographers shooting in extreme temperatures and inclement 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