Photography in Antarctica

A story by Benjamin Olson.

I have been obsessed with the natural world since I was a child and I constantly look for ways to immerse myself in it. The Luminous Endowment grant gave me the opportunity to take an air-cruise to the Polar Circle with Antarctica21 and here what I learned about Antarctica photography.

Come Prepared
In my work, I strive to capture nature as it is, with minimal human impact. Bring multiple, long lenses and UV filters with you, so you can get great images without getting too close to the wildlife. Remember that along with this immense beauty, comes very cold and wet weather, so make sure you bring equipment that can handle whatever weather conditions you might get for your Antarctica photography.

Take your Time
Everywhere you look in Antarctica there ́s something worth photographing! Go on an expedition that gives you time to explore on land and by sea. Patience is key when photographing wildlife and beautiful landscapes with just the right light. It’s important to find an expedition cruise, like Antarctica21 in my case, that gives you the time to get those amazing photos.

Talk to the experts
The expedition guides on my trip in Antarctica were key for me figuring out the best places and moments to get the Antarctica photography that I wanted. They have traveled extensively in the region, so be sure to engage them in conversation and pick their brains about what works best. I found all of them eager and happy to share their experiences with me.

Enjoy it!
I witnessed the most unforgettable things when traveling in Antarctica and produced more work during my eight days on my ship, Ocean Nova, than I typically do in a six-month period back home. It was the most fun I’ve ever had as a photographer. So relax and enjoy, this will probably be one of the most memorable trips of your life.

About Benjamin Olson: Olson traveled with Antarctica21 on Ocean Nova to the Polar Circle in 2018. His photo of a Gentoo penguin was selected for our 2020/2021 season brochure. Ben has a bachelors in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology, Ethology and Evolution, and an A.A.S. in Digital Imaging Technology. Ben credits his wife as his muse and for pushing him to pursue his dreams as a photographer.