Kadath
2804
It really was nothing more than unboxing the kit they sent, turning on the lights, attaching the halo bars and playing around. I tried all 3 included screens: Black, white and mirror. I had to futz to remove dust but other than that it was super easy
Kadath
2805
I actually backed the Foldio 2 and never got around to unboxing it. That might be better suited to your needs, not sure!
Just got back from Antarctica, and that means… PENGUINS! (and some other non-penguin stuff)
A chinstrap penguin acting all high and mighty
A blue-eyed shag coming in to land
A penguin contemplating the mountain, and life
A gentoo penguin stealing stones to build its own nest
A chinstrap penguin and its young chick
The green, green fields (of algae) of gentoos
Gentoo, the movie
Gangwaaaaay!
I have a feeling I will be posting more.
I am constantly amazed by the things people get up to. There are what, like a thousand people on Antarctica at any given time? What are the chances one of them would be on this board?!?
Fine pictures, @krayzkrok! I look forward to the inevitable crocodile-eating-your-souvenir-penguin photo.
geggis
2808
Oh man, that sounds amazing and those photos are incredible.
That’s no mountain by the way: it’s the penguin’s shadow.
dear lord.
that’s about as constructive as I can be.
Tman
2810
Awesome pics. I really like the two pics of the blue-eyed shag landing. It’s like you had two cameras set up for identical pictures. The wings are in identical formations.
The head on shot “Gentoo the movie” is great!
Editer
2811
@krayzkrok, those are awesome. Definitely would love to see more if you want to share!
Thanks for the feedback. I took nearly 18,000 pictures over the space of a month. Obviously a lot of those are iterations on the same scene, but still, it’s just an incredible place visually, especially when the light is spectacular.
Here are a few more.
Playful crabeater seals
Blue-eyed shag bathing before flight
I got water in my ear
Skua stealing a morsel
Blue-eyed shag dries its wings
Skuas being dive-bombed by an arctic tern
Antarctic tern in front of an iceberg in stormy waters
Moonrise over Dallman Bay
Gigantic iceberg under low cloud
Sculptured iceberg
Evening over the Lamaire Channel
Tendrils of light
Cormac
2813
Wow! All of those are amazing!
What kind of gear are you using?
Those are really wonderful pictures.
Wow wow wow at that tern in front of the iceberg and angry seas pic.
Thanks. These were all taken with a Canon 7D Mk2 with a 100-400 L II, except the last two which were shot using an EF-S 18-135 with a circular polarizer.
geggis
2817
My girlfriend asked what you were there for? I’m presuming work, if so what’s your job? Spectacular images. That iceberg under low cloud and the iceberg with what looks like a cave are very atmospheric.
I’m occasionally employed by Lindblad Expeditions as a Nat Geo photo instructor on expedition cruises. It’s a nice break from the croc stuff. So when they started asking if I’d like to get paid to spend a month in Antarctica, you can imagine my reaction. As a bonus I get to work with some world-class Nat Geo photographers, much to learn!
CraigM
2819
Oh, so that’s how you got the photos. Cheater ;)
Really I’m super jealous, that looks like a wonderful experience. Why that location though? When you said Antarctica, I figured you’d be somewhere closer, like just off Tasmania in Terre Adelie, not all the way over on the peninsula by Chile.
But I don’t really know about travel there, so there’s probably a reason.
With my kids nearly grown and out (one is nearly 21, the other 18) my wife and I are eager to move to the next phase of our life traveling-wise – spending for two what we’d normally spend for four to go on trips. We’re also a bit older than our more adventurous younger traveling days and now appreciate the value of having a group to travel with and take care of annoying things like where to stay, where to eat a bit more (though with some flexibility, of course). In addition, we’re more interested in seeing how people live, different crafts, etc. than in the past when it was about seeing as many castles, mountains, etc. as possible. So, with more money and a desire to experience more culture as well as learn about the history we’ve started to look into higher-end travel like National Geographic Expeditions. It sounds great, but any first-hand experience is greatly appreciated.
How else would I get photos other than by being in the right place with a camera? :) It’s a means to that end, plus they pay me, so it’s win-win.
The Antarctic peninsula (and South Shetland Islands) are roughly 2 days by sea from Tierra del Fuego, there are quite a few known landing sites, and visitation adheres to a strict set of protocols (IAATO) that minimises impact. Plus it’s an itinerary that Lindblad / NatGeo has operated for many years, and they were happy to pay my airfare. ;) Besides, I got to spend several days in Buenos Aires which is a great city.
The ship has a rough itinerary but it changes constantly depending on weather, so for example we ended up way south of the Antarctic Circle at one point, driving zodiacs looking for Ross seals and emperor penguins. I basically ran the photo team, but I have to work within the set itinerary for the day. There are plenty of opportunities to go look for wildlife.
Sure, what you want to know? I’ve done short contracts with Lindblad / NatGeo (usually as a photo instructor) for the past 5 years going to various places. I like their overall philosophy and approach which is why I keep going back when they ask me. Send me a PM and we can talk more details if you like, although I don’t have much experience with other operators. I do a lot of work with NatGeo television so it’s a continuation of that association (though they’re not really related). It’s how I started getting the gigs in the first place.
Too much talk, not enough hummingbirds (this is from Delta del Tigre, outside Buenos Aires).
geggis
2822
That sounds wonderful! I had no idea about those expeditions either. I never got to go traveling but it’s something I’d still like to do. Like @BigWeather, I’d appreciate the experts and guides dealing with all the minutiae of the trips, as well as a group to travel with. I’ll definitely be looking into these.
Hal9000
2823
DADGUM that “Antarctic tern in front of an iceberg in stormy waters” was amazing.
