Spitsbergen 2013: Land of the Polar Bear
“I had a fantastic time. Sitting here less than a week later back at work it feels like some sort of vague dream already. The locations for shooting were incredible and the large number of locations you got us to in 10 days was also very impressive.
You are a very good instructor. Those of us who do this for a living recognize that the axiom “Those who can’t, teach” is pure bullshit and they’ve never tried teaching. I’ve met many amazing professionals in a variety of fields who couldn’t articulate worth a damn to another person how it is they do what they do —even when that is why I was paying to see them try. You show very disciplined patience when necessary, but also are very good at utilizing your sense of humor to make everyone have a good time. Your depth and breadth of knowledge is commendable. Not only are you able to answer questions, but also give a deep understanding behind the answer if necessary.
You made yourself amazingly accessible. I didn’t anticipate that you would be with us at every meal and so open to discussing photgraphy during every breathing moment you were awake. That level of accessibility is not something I was expecting.”
— Scott McGlynn, USA
“I can’t thank you enough, Peter, for making this workshop such a memorable experience. You gave us magical locations, great food and fun, and most of all your ability to provide useful and positive learning opportunities at all skill levels. You truly are a teacher and photographer with a “high dynamic range!” I’m already recommending your workshops to my friends.”
— Gail Bingham, USA
“As the only genuine old-timer in your group I found the course to be tough but very rewarding. You took us to some beautiful locations that but for this course we might never have seen. Each day you took trouble to spend time with each of us to explain everything from the absolutely simple to the highly technical about landscape photography. Above all, through your leadership, you merged us into a team who enjoyed each others company and at the same time greatly improved our photographic skills. The organisation, food and accommodation were all first class
Many thanks for a great ten days. Long may you reign in elite photographic circles.”
— Robert Moran, Australia
“What can I say? Brilliant locations, food, accommodation, teaching and non-stop laughs. And you got me on the plane with my tripod!”
— Val Graham, UK
The High Arctic. A place that is steeped in adventure and thrilling to the senses. As a boy, I was transfixed by the exploits of the great Arctic explorers. Parry, Amundsen and Franklin are all names familiar to anyone with a love of this area. All of them used Spitsbergen in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard as a base for their expeditions at one time or another.
Join me and two other world-class photographers – Iceland’s Daníel Bergmann and the USA’s Charles Glatzer – as we voyage through this remote and beautiful place. Photographing the magnificent polar bear – the largest (and most charismatic) land predator on earth – is our main objective.
From our floating base on a comfortable expedition ship, chartered specifically for this workshop, we will explore the dramatic landscape and seascape of the region. Nowhere else can the polar bear be seen more reliably in its natural habitat. We will also hunt for walrus and the other wildlife of the region. Dramatic glaciers, plunging cliffs and beautiful drift ice will also be present.
Dates for 2013 are:
- August 24 – September 3, 2013
Read on for more details, or download the PDF here!
Our voyage takes place in Autumn. For photographers this means the sun is lower in the sky and the quality of the light is softer and gentler. Contours in the landscape are revealed and dramatic portraits of the animals are possible. The sea ice has retreated and may grant access to the eastern part of the archipelago, where few people ever set foot.
If ice conditions allow, we will complete a circumnavigation of Spitsbergen or explore the spectacular island of Nordaustlandet. This unique expedition will be totally dedicated to the interests of nature photographers. We have full control of the itinerary and the only passengers on the ship will be members of this workshop.
My goal for this trip is not only to give you once-in-a-lifetime journey through some of the most isolated and dramatic landscapes on the planet, but to improve your photography as well. I’ll be on hand to talk about subjects ranging from composition, planning location shoots, technical operation of the camera through to postprocessing the final results.
From the other two instructors on the trip you’ll get more of the same. As there are three of us, you’ll benefit from seeing our different approaches to the same subjects and the different creativity we all bring to the trip.
We also have an experienced expedition leader and knowledgeable naturalist guides along with us. There will be lectures on board and ashore from photographers and naturalists alike to make sure you get the absolute most from the experience.
You’ll leave with great images and an increased understanding of how to get better photographs for yourself in the future – whether it be in the High Arctic or anywhere else in the world.
Philosophy:
This trip is about improving your photography as well as visiting one of the most remote places on Earth. Myself and the other instructors will be out shooting with you every day, helping you get the shots you’re after and introducing you to new ways of seeing, so you get images you never thought of before.
You’ll be spending 11 days with others who are just as passionate about photography as you are.
There will be regular critique sessions where we can look at what was successful, and what wasn’t, in each other’s images. These sessions are an invaluable tool in improving your photos, as they show you exactly what you did wrong (and right!), allowing you to learn from your mistakes.
Accommodation and food:
We will be staying on board the M/S Quest. There are several different types of cabin, which are identified below with their prices.
In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. The ship has spacious observation decks where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas and search for exciting wildlife.
Travelling with this small expedition ship offers a more relaxed and informal atmosphere and a much greater focus on the destination than is the case with larger vessels.
All meals are included.
Itinerary:
Due to the nature of the location, we will keep the itinerary flexible. The ship will go where the ice allows and where we are most likely to encounter polar bears and other wildlife. We will aim to make daily landings via the fleet of Zodiac craft. Here are some examples of locations we may visit:
Northwestern Svalbard
Many polar expeditions began on Svalbard. Some of the more interesting and poignant were the balloon attempts, two of which started on Danskøya. Swedish balloonist Andrée attempted the pole in a hydrogen balloon and the American journalist Wellman started out with an airship. The site is still littered with interesting remnants from these expeditions.
Eastern Svalbard
As we skirt the shifting Arctic Ocean ice pack, we enter an environment that few people have seen. A harsh and majestic icescape, our chances of polar bear encounters increases as we sail among the ice floes.
Hinlopen and Alkefjellet
If the ice allows we may enter the Hinlopen Strait. Here we’ll find Alkefjellet, a sheer, basaltic cliff. We may also continue into the beautiful bay of Palanderbukta in Nordaustlandet.
Nordaustlandet
The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by an enormous ice cap and fascinates naturalists as well as historians. There are huge glacier fronts here, intersected by hundreds of melt-waterfalls. Even further east is Kvitøya (White Island). In very favourable ice and weather conditions, we may land on this ice-capped island where few people have set foot. Here Andrée and his men were found 33 years after their unsuccessful attempt to reach the North Pole with a hydrogen balloon.
Barentsøya and Edgeøya
These islands south of Nordaustlandet offer magnificent landscapes and vast tundra. Chances are good to encounter walrus, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer here.
Southwest Svalbard
The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks. This is a favourite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar bears.
Our ship for this voyage will be the comfortable M/S Quest. It was built in Denmark in 1992 and completely refurbished in 2005 for a career as a small and comfortable expedition ship. Quest takes 53 passengers in 26 cabins, all with sea view and private facilities. The ship has spacious observation decks and much of our photography will take place from the ship or the small fleet of Zodiacs that we’ll have for our use. The expert guides that accompany us will watch out for our safety when we make landings and hike on the tundra.
The Instructors: Peter Cox
I am a professional landscape photographer – one of only a handful in Ireland. I was the only Irish photographer to travel to Iceland in 2010 to photograph the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption.
I hold an Associateship qualification from the Irish Professional Photographers Association (IPPA). I’m also a Qualified European Photographer, a distinction held by less than 20 photographers in Ireland (as of February 2011).
I won the IPPA Landscape Photographer of the Year award in 2007 in both the portfolio and single-image categories, and have placed highly in several international photographic competitions.
I have a passion for both photography and for teaching. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, I make sure to pitch my lessons at your level and to ensure that you understand what’s being taught. My goal is for you to leave not just with great pictures and fond memories – but with increased confidence and ability too.
I teach year-round, both private and group workshops and courses – all on digital landscape photography. I have also taught a short Winter course on digital postprocessing techniques at Williams College in Massachusetts in the USA.
Charles (Chas) Glatzer
A world-renowned professional photographer for more than 28 years, Chas is one of the most respected, knowledgeable, and sought after wildlife photographic instructors/speakers in the United States. His work has been celebrated internationally with over 40 prestigious awards for superior photographic competence demonstrated through photographic competition, advanced education, and service to the profession. He owns Shoot the Light and hosts Instructional Photographic Workshops throughout the United States and abroad. His images are recognized internationally for their lighting, composition and attention to detail. Chas’ diverse photo background provides workshop participants and seminar attendees with an unparalleled resource.
Daníel Bergmann
A nature photographer from Iceland with over 20 years of experience as a working photographer. He leads photography workshops in Iceland and as one of Europe’s leading wildlife photographers he contributed to the Wild Wonders of Europe project. Daníel is widely published and his latest book is Iceland Landscapes. He brings to the tour an intimate knowledge of Arctic wildlife and an experience of photographing in Svalbard.
Your Fitness Level:
This workshop will cater to all fitness levels. Depending on weather conditions and interest, there may be some moderate hikes to the interior, and there will be an alternate programme for those that don’t wish to participate in those.
Some people have expressed concern about the difficulty of getting in and out of the zodiacs from the ship. This is not an issue – there is a gangway at the ship’s waterline that you simply step from into the boat – no gymnastics required.
Equipment:
You’ll be expected to bring your own camera equipment as well as cold weather gear. Temperatures in Spitsbergen average around 6 degrees centigrade (43 fahrenheit) during the Summer months. Thermal underwear, a good warm middle layer and windproof outer coat and pants are required, as are waterproof boots (a solid pair of Wellington boots for example). After you’ve booked, you’ll receive an equipment checklist with required and recommended gear.
The Price:
The price of this workshop depends on the cabin type selected. The prices are listed below. The fee must be paid in US dollars. In the table below, the letters correspond to the cabin types in the deck plan.
There is a limit of 50 participants on this workshop.
| Cabin Type | Price (per person in USD) |
|---|---|
| Triple cabin (F) | $7,490 |
| Twin cabin (E) | $8,490 |
| Twin cabin plus (D) | $8,990 |
| Double cabin (C and B) | $8,990 |
| Single cabin (A) | $13.900 |
Cabins are provided on a first serve basis. The triple cabins on deck three have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin you also find a desk with chair and storage space for clothes and equipment. The superior cabins on deck three and four are spacious and have a separate sitting area and TV/DVD.
RATE INCLUDES: 10 nights on board the M/S Quest. All meals. Three world class photographers on hand for tuition and discussion. An experienced Expedition Leader and knowledgeable naturalist guides. Lectures on board and ashore. All shore excursions and activities by Zodiac. A detailed post-expedition log.
NOT INCLUDED: Flight to/from Longyearbyen. Travel and cancellation insurance. The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew. Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges.
To secure your place, a deposit of $2000 is required within a week of registration. A second deposit of $2000 will be required by the end of November 2012 and the final balance is payable by the end of May 2013.
Cancellations up to the end of November 2012 will forfeit the first deposit of $2000. Cancellations after that date will forfeit the entire deposit. Cancellations from the end of May 2013 will forfeit their entire payment. However, your fee will be refunded, less a $1000 cancellation fee, if your berth can be resold.
Sign Me Up!
If this trip sounds perfect for you and you’re ready to embark on an eleven-day odyssey of magnificent wildlife and beautiful landscapes with friendly and competent instruction, then contact me to secure your place now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I look forward to seeing you soon!
You can download the PDF here for offline viewing if you wish.
.