Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Mainland Photography Workshop - Nov/Dec 2014
UPDATE
PLEASE NOTE THIS PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP IS FILLED. A WAITING LIST HAS BEEN CREATED. SHOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN YOUR NAME BEING PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST PLEASE FORWARD A BRIEF EMAIL TO: denis@denisglennon.com
HOTEL IN USHUAIA – SPECIAL RATE FOR ICONIC IMAGES & C4 IMAGES PASSANGERS
Ushuaia is the port from where we will begin our Antarctica Expedition on 20 November 2014. The town has a variety hotels.
On the morning of departure, the meeting point for all the passengers boarding the Academik Ioffe is the Hotel Albatros.
As a courtesy to our clients, and in order to keep the logistics as streamlined as possible, Iconic Images International/C4 Images and Safaris have provisionally booked 35 rooms for the night of the 19th of November 2014.
The hotel has given our group a special rate of US$190 per room per night. The special rate is applicable only to the evening of the 19th November 2014. If you would like to reserve a room for the 19th November 2014 at the Albatross Hotel, please click on this link: Hotel Reservation for 19 Nov 2014.
If you plan to arrive in Ushuaia earlier than the 19th November please feel free to book at the Hotel Albatros for those days.
Note the reservation and payment for additional nights at the Hotel Albatros must be made by you.
The hotel booking and payment conditions may be viewed in this downloadable PDF: Hotel Albatros Booking Conditions
Iconic Images or C4 Images will not be liable if you do not secure a room at the Hotel Albatros.
FRANS LANTING
The response to this photographic expedition/workshop has been overwhelming. The original 30 berths filled within 4 weeks.
Not wishing to disappoint some of our very good clients and friends we have secured another 10 berths on the vessel. To ensure we retain the original 10:1 workshop participant/instructor ratio and continue to deliver the highest standard of photographic instruction to participants, I am pleased to announce that Frans Lanting will join Art Wolfe, Shem Compion and myself as an instructor on the workshop.
Frans Lanting needs no introduction. For three decades he has documented wildlife from the Amazon to Antarctica to promote understanding about the Earth and its natural history through images that convey a passion for nature and a sense of wonder about our living planet. His photographic work has defined nature photography over the last 3 decades and he has been hailed as one of the greatest photographers of our time.
Like his good friend, Art Wolfe, Frans has set the standards for a whole generation of wildlife photographers. Their photographs take creatures and places that appear ordinary and transform them into haunting new visions.
Frans will fit seamlessly into the team and help you improve your photography and your expertise exponentially. Thank you Frans for accepting our invitation to join us.
ANTARCTICA
Antarctica, for the naturalist and wildlife photographer is the ultimate destination. Once deemed so remote from civilization that men traded their lives to experience it, this destination is now safely accessible on modern vessels and where we can stand in awe and photograph.
In collaboration with One Ocean Expeditions, (OOE) Canada, the photography workshop on this expedition, is co-organised by Iconic Images International, Australia, C4 Images & Safaris, South Africa together with our good friends Art Wolfe USA and Frans Lanting, USA as the guest photographers. Art and Frans need no introduction to photographers worldwide.
WHO IS OOE?
OOE is an innovative, service-first, small ship Polar cruise company that offers comfortable, affordable and educational nature-based expeditions to Antarctica.
We also collaborated with OOE because of their common sense approach to pricing, limited passenger numbers and their commitment to ecological preservation and conservation. These values sit very comfortably alongside those of Art, Shem and myself.
OOE’s cooperation allows us to deliver a specialised on-board and zodiac/land-based small group photographic workshop, to make this polar expedition a very special photographic event.
Together we have created a “top-drawer” photography workshop within a “first class” Antarctica expedition. Of course, you also have the advantage of full access to OOE’s specialist Polar Region expedition leaders and presenters – a unique combinations in the one trip.
WORKSHOP LEADERS/INSTRUCTORS
The photographic workshop leaders/instructors are: Art Wolfe, Frans Lanting, Shem Compion and Denis Glennon AO
All four leaders/instructors are experienced, competent wildlife and nature photographers.
The number of participants in the photography workshop is confined to forty. We have reserved 40 berths in a variety of cabin categories for these participants, on the vessel, Akademik Ioffe and registrations will be accepted in the order they are received. Should you require a cabin outside those reserved by us, this is possible, subject to one being available.
This far-reaching expedition to the islands of the South Atlantic Ocean and the Antarctic mainland, means you have time for your photography to increase exponentially and at the same time allow you to revel in eighteen days of endless photographic opportunities as you are guided and assisted by the four professional photographers.
Expect to photograph thousands of penguins in rookeries, behemoth icebergs reflecting startling greens, cyans and blues, humpback whales feeding on krill and of course the sweeping ice sheet continent of Antarctica.
This expedition is OOE’s most extensive Antarctic expedition and offers you the very best opportunities to capture the iconic images of one of the remotest part of the planet.
One of the main reasons for the extended duration of this voyage is a 4 day visit to South Georgia island. Ask any naturalist what their favourite place in the world is, and without hesitation they will say it is South Georgia. Teeming with life both mammalian and avian, in their tens of thousands – be prepared to be overwhelmed by one of the great wonders of the natural world – all within a few meters of your lens.
Departing from Ushuaia, Argentina the first stop is the Falkland Islands. Here, you will surprisingly find a relatively warm climate where an abundance of unusual wildlife thrives. Sixty species of migratory birds and the rare rockhopper penguin inhabit these islands.
The expedition continues through the Antarctic convergence to the pristine island of South Georgia. Towering glacier-covered mountains are merely the backdrop to spectacular wildlife sightings including rookeries of the pompous king penguin, several seal species and the laughable macaroni penguin. You may see the South Orkney Islands, often cloaked in mist, on passage to the South Shetland Archipelago and Antarctica.
Even seasoned travellers to polar regions experience a deep sense of awe and respect on their first glimpse of the much-anticipated continent. The OOE’s leaders, who have led more than a hundred expeditions, are still overcome by its formidable beauty. You are greeted by thousands of icebergs that look like modern art sculptures lining the bays of Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay. Meanwhile an overwhelming profusion of wildlife is on display from penguins torpedoing through the water to predatory leopard seals staking their claim on ice floes.
We hope to land and photograph on the mainland of the White Continent itself. From this vantage point, it is easy to understand why legendary explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Sir Ernest Shackleton were so captivated by this haunting region.
As with all voyages, passenger and vessel safety are OOE’s top priorities. Hence weather, ice or other conditions may require a change to the planned itinerary and shore excursions but that is half the fun of Polar Region exploring. Predictability is a term that has no relevance in this environment.
Being part of a small group of like-minded photographers and continually assisted by four professional photographers to help you capture extraordinary images in the pristine wilderness of this vast polar region, is an experience of a lifetime. It is a place to inspire the imagination and touch your very soul of your being.
Photography Workshop Within The Expedition
We have booked an allotment of cabins and berths on the Akademik Ioffe so that we can take a small group of like-minded photographers to have the best possible experiences in the Antarctic. For this reason we have incorporated a photography workshop component on the expedition to make sure that you gain the most tutoring, knowledge and insight from the trip, as possible.
Workshop Highlights
Throughout the expedition our small group will have access to:
- Exclusive on board tutoring, lectures, feedback sessions by Art Wolfe, Frans Lanting, Shem Compion and Denis Glennon. These sessions will be available only to our group and will be held independently of the other passengers on the vessel, in a separate location. This will be in addition to the normal on board lectures presented by the OOE team, to which you will have full access.
- Small group photography workshops and processing sessions.
- Some one-on-one interaction with professional photographers who will help you get the best results possible.
- More than teaching you just ‘camera settings’, you will have four professional photographers who will share their creative vision, experiences, insights and artistry to help you create more compelling and striking images whilst developing as a photographer.
- Access to Zodiac cruises dedicated to our photographic group with Art Wolfe, Frans Lanting, Shem Compion and Denis Glennon as your photography guides.
- Access to information on optimal camera settings for each scenario while you are photographing.
- Guidance on Lightroom and Photoshop and other post processing techniques.
- We will work closely with the Expedition Leader to ensure that we are at the best locations for the most time, and in the best light.
- Subject to final decisions by the Captain/Expedition Leader the smaller number of passengers on-board and the availability of sufficient zodiacs means all passengers can be ashore at one time, should they wish to do so.
- Photographing from zodiacs allows you to experience the Antarctic waters at a more intimate level. Zodiacs will land for landscape photography. As there is likely to be great light, sufficient time will be dedicated to capture the stunning landscapes, as well as the wildlife.
- The maximum number of passengers on board the vessel will be 90. This is very important as Antarctica Law states that no more than 100 people are allowed on shore at a time. Thus it means that every passenger will have the opportunity to be ashore at the same time. This will maximise our available photography time in places like South Georgia and the Antarctic peninsular.
- OOE’s policy is to try and spend as much time as possible on land at wildlife sightings. Their and our focus will be to have you photographing on shore, amongst the wildlife, for as long as is safely possible.
- All in all, the photography workshop and expedition are designed to have a small group of nature and wildlife photographers who will have eighteen nights on board one of the best smaller ships in the Antarctic to give them the best opportunities for some amazing photography.
Itinerary
The expedition commences and finishes in Ushuaia, Argentina on 20 November and 8 December 2014 respectively.
Day 1 – Ushuaia
As you board the vessel, Akademik Ioffe, in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city near the tip of Argentina, and start to become familiar with ‘your home’ for the next 18 days you cannot help but wonder about the exciting journey and photography ahead. In the early evening, you set sail and begin your voyage leaving behind Ushuaia and sail through the picturesque Beagle Channel. There are many photographic opportunities around the town of Ushuaia itself, the port area and as the vessel departs the harbour.
Day 2 – At Sea
You will have the chance to check out your camera gear, spend informal time with the three professional photographers and the on-board OOE polar specialists. Sailing northeast, the ship will likely be joined by swooping seabirds including the mighty wandering albatross, which you will come to know well and see in your frame many times on this truly amazing photographic expedition.
Days 3 & 4 – Falkland Islands
Arriving in the Falklands overnight, by morning all on-board are excited to make their first shore excursion. The plan will be to explore the islands of the West Falkland Archipelago, home to a profusion of seabirds and migratory birds including the black-browed albatross. Your first penguin sightings will be on the island of West Point with its bustling rookeries of rockhoppers. On Carcass Island, you will photograph nesting Magellanic penguins along with oystercatchers, geese and the flightless steamer duck – a permanent Falkland resident. The next day you will land in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. As you wander through the charming streets of brightly painted houses, you will learn how this quiet harbour was once a major port in the 19th century for ships attempting to round the formidable seas of Cape Horn. A visit to Stanley’s famed philatelic museum with its impressive collection of historic stamps, is a must.
Days 5 & 6 – At Sea
Next you sail southeast bound for the island of South Georgia – a jewel of nature for every wildlife photographer. These two days at sea are never dull in this part of the planet. Much of your time is spent on deck, weather permitting, scanning the horizon in search of whales and other marine mammals as well as the ever present seabirds. If in-flight bird photography is your interest you will be in “bird heaven” and if you have never tried it, we will show you, using short lectures and practical sessions, how to master this challenging but extremely rewarding genre of photography. The friendly OOE polar specialists will continue to fascinate you with heroic stories of some of the earliest explorers of Antarctica. You will also learn about Polar conservation – a theme particularly close to the hearts of OOE’s expedition leaders and crew. The anticipation grows particularly as you cross the Antarctic Convergence and notice a dramatic drop in temperature. Special attention will be given to ensure your camera gear continues to function properly in the increasingly harsher climate.
Days 7, 8 & 9 – South Georgia
Majestic snow-covered mountains greet you on the magnificent island of South Georgia – the most rugged island in this region. You will passage the protected waters of the eastern coast looking for suitable landing spots such as Salisbury Plain and St Andrews Bay. The highlight of both these onshore excursions is the mind-boggling abundance of king penguin adults and young that live in these locations by the hundreds of thousands, covering every square inch of the shore. That is not the only wildlife to fill your lens! Fur seals can be photographed poking their heads above the water, skuas and giant petrels swoop in the skies above, and your constant companion, the albatross is never far away. Hopefully you will get to explore and photograph the old whaling station at Grytviken (Greet-vik-in) and the grave of one of the most famous Antarctic explorers, Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Days 10, 11 & 12 – At Sea and South Orkneys
As you cross the Scotia Sea, sailing ever closer to Antarctica, weather and seas permitting you will visit the South Orkney Islands. Linked to the Antarctic Peninsula by an enormous sub-marine mountain range these islands, more often than not, shrouded in mist, are protected by large icebergs and sea ice. If you possible, there will be an excursion to Coronation Island to photograph penguins nesting in moss beds alongside graceful snow petrels. There may also be a landing at the remote island of Laurie and visit the Argentinean meteorological station located there.
Days 13, 14, 15 & 16 – South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Mainland
Elephant Island, en route to the South Shetland Islands, will be your next destination if conditions are suitable. Here, you essentially trace the footsteps and the adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton. This island was the renowned place of refuge in 1916 for Shackleton and his crew after his ship was destroyed by pack ice in the Weddell Sea.
Next, you will spend time passaging among the South Shetland Islands just off the Antarctic Peninsula. Dazzling wildlife sightings await you on your shore excursions to some of these islands including King George, Half Moon, Barrientos or Livingston. Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins thrive here, as do several species of seal. With luck you may sight and photograph the gentle humpback whale dining on krill off King George Island. Again you will be helped by the professional photographers on how to best photograph these massive mammals from zodiacs.
Weather permitting, you will visit the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island. With rugged scenery, great sites of geologic interest and an overwhelming display of whaling and scientific exploration history, Deception Island is an unforgettable museum of natural and exploration history. If you fell like “stretching your legs”, a spectacular hike to the crater rim offers a challenge! Finally, after so much anticipation, you will arrive at the Antarctic mainland in Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay. The scenery and landscape photography here, from the colossal icebergs to the seemingly endless Antarctic ice sheet is truly breathtaking. Weather permitting, you will undertake shore excursions and capture stunning images of this unforgettable landscape and its ever changing seascapes.
Day 17 & 18 – Drake Passage
As you depart this magical place, unsurprisingly with a longing to stay, and make your way back, again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage before rounding the infamous for sailors, Cape Horn, much of your time will be spent sharing and reflecting on the wonderful experiences, not to mention the captivating and compelling images you will treasure for ever. Sailing up the Beagle Channel, you celebrate the conclusion of your Polar expedition at a special dinner, with many new found friends.
Day 19 – Ushuaia
In the early morning, you will arrive back in Ushuaia. It is time to say farewell to your ship’s crew and fellow photographers. You will be transported to the hotel or to the airport for return flights home.
Cabin Categories & Locations Reserved for Participants Registered on the Photography Workshop
Iconic Images International/C4 Images/Art Wolfe Inc. have a “first option” on:
- 2 X Shackleton Suites (4 berths)
- 9 X Twin Private Cabins (18 berths) and
- 4 X Twin Semi-Private Cabins (8 berths)
in the locations indicated on the deck plan below.
As the number of participants in the photography workshop is limited to thirty (30), these cabins are anticipated to be in high demand.
The cabins will be allocated to participants registering in the photography workshop in order of receipt of completed registration forms and payment of initial deposits.
For more detailed information on each of the cabin categories on the Akademik Ioffe, please download the printable PDF by clicking on CABIN CATEGORIES in the right hand sidebar.
Should you desire a cabin other than those we have selected, it is possible to reserve one, subject to availability at the time of your registration. We will liaise with OOE to assist you obtain the cabin of your choice.
For information on the costs of the different categories of cabins, please read the information in the “COSTS” tab above.
Costs, Terms of Payment & How to Register
Cost of Photography Workshop
The cost of the photographic workshop is US$1,850/person. Please note this cost is additional to the cost of the cabin you select.
Cost of Cabins
Depending on the standard of cabin you select the cost varies as follows:
Cabin Costs on Akademik Ioffe
All prices are in US$, sharing.
Should you decide to reserve an unshared cabin you will be required to pay a single supplement.
The single supplement is 1.5 times the twin occupancy rate and 2 times the suite rate.
All requests for unshared cabins must be clearly indicated on the Registration Form.
All tours are priced in US dollars . For your convenience and to minimize currency exchange risks, payments should only be made (in US dollars) to the US dollar bank account of the travel agent, Our World Travel.
For details of this account please contact either Janet or Nick Missikos on +61 8 9221 997 or send an email to janet@owt.com.au or nick@owtravel.com.au
Should you wish to use your credit card for payment in US dollars please check with your bank or financial institution to determine the most cost effective way to do so.
TERMS OF PAYMENT
1. A non-refundable deposit equalling the cost of the photography workshop (US$1,850.00) plus 20% of the cost of the cabin category selected, per person, together with a completed Registration Form, on or before Friday 24 January 2014.
2. The remaining 80% balance of the cost of the cabin category selected, on or before Friday 27 June 2014.
As there is accommodation for only forty (40) participants in the photography workshop, registrations will be accepted strictly in the order they are received.
HOW TO REGISTER
To register please click the REGISTRATION FORM button in the right hand sidebar, download the PDF, complete all sections of the form and follow the instructions for return of the form and payment of the initial deposit.
OOE’s Terms & Conditions Applicable To All Passengers
As the voyage is being run by OOE, that company’s overarching Terms and Conditions are applicable to every passenger aboard the vessel Akademik Ioffe. Passengers registering through Iconic Images International and C4 Images are obligated to abide by OOE’s Terms and Conditions. These Terms & Conditions outline our and your agreement with OOE and contain important information. You are requested to pay particular attention to the section headed “Age, Health & Fitness” as you will be asked to confirm you have read and understand this section when completing the Registration Form. The OOE Terms and Conditions can be downloaded by clicking: OOE Terms & Conditions.
Note there are differences in respect of the deposit amounts required for your participation in the Photography Workshop/Expedition combination.
We again ask that you read these Term & Conditions carefully,
If you have any queries regarding them or do not understand them, please let me know, as soon as possible, by email to denis@denisglennon.com.
To assist you prepare for this photo safari I have compiled a comprehensive, downloadable and printable PDF. It contains helpful information on:
- Travelling with and looking after photographic equipment in polar regions and conditions.
- Typical weather and climate in this polar region.
- The vessel Akademik Ioffe
- Procedures and strict requirements for zodiac usage and landings.
- Recommended/possible camera equipment choices for the expedition
- Camera Equipment Checklist – do not be overwhelmed; this is just my generic checklist
- Backing up your images every day – a MUST.
- Clothing and other gear for the Antarctic.
- Dealing with seasickness, if it visits, on the expedition.
- Personal medical items checklist.
The information in this PDF will help you on a number of aspects so that you return home with a great collection of iconic images, and many magnificent memories.
A copy of this PDF will be provided to all people upon receipt of final payment for both the photography workshop and expedition. It will be distributed approximately 60 days before the commencement of the expedition.
In addition to the above PDF, you will be provided with the following specific documentation by OOE:
- Expedition itinerary.
- Medical Form for completion and return.
- Kayaking Form (if applicable).
- Foul weather gear rental form (if applicable).
- How to prepare for your voyage to Antarctica.
- Tailor made itinerary (to include any land arrangements that may have been booked through Harvey World Travel – East Perth , as well as the voyage details, cabin number and any other options booked).
- joining instructions in Ushuaia.
- Particular vessel features.
- Passenger ticket.
Ushuaia, Argentina
QUERIES & CONTACTS
If you would like to discuss any aspect of international flights for the photo safari, please contact the booking agent, Harvey World Travel – East Perth, on +61 (o)8 9221 9977 and request to speak to Mr Nick Missikos. Alternatively you can email Nick at eastperth@harveyworld.com.au
If you would like to discuss any photographic aspect of the tour, please telephone Denis Glennon on 0418 923 103 or send an email to denis@denisglennon.com
If this photography tour is not for you, perhaps you might consider forwarding this link to a friend who may like to know about it. Thank you sincerely.
CABIN CATEGORIES
To read details on the cabins categories on the Akademik Ioffe, download the printable PDF.
Download: Cabin Categories on Akademik Ioffe (Printable PDF)
REGISTRATION FORM
To reserve a place, download, complete and return the form to Our World Travel.
Download: REGISTRATION FORM (PrintablePDF)
AFFILIATIONS
Iconic Images is the exclusive representative/agent for C4 Photo Safaris, South Africa, in Australia & New Zealand.
C4 Photo Safaris provides the on-ground logistics for Iconic Images' photo safaris/tours in Africa and is a SATSA member. The SATSA logo signifies that C4 Photo Safaris offers services that are of the highest quality and the company is deemed to be a credible and reliable provider of services to the tourism industry in South Africa. These services are independently audited on an annual basis. SATSA members are bonded, providing a financial guarantee of deposits held against the involuntary liquidation of a SATSA member.
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