Month: March 2014

Iceland 2015 Winter Aurora Workshop Open for Bookings

Posted in Iceland, Landscape Photographs, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Workshops and ExpeditionsLeave a comment

Daniel Bergmann and I are pleased to have now finalised our Winter Workshop itinerary for 2015 to Iceland. The workshop will run from the 25th of February until the 6th of March 2015 and will focus on both the Aurora Borealis as well as many of the iconic and lesser known locations of Iceland. For 2015 we will be travelling in two Icelandic Super Jeeps (modified 4-wheel drives) so that we can get off the main bitumen road and into the more interesting areas for photography and experience the true splendour of Iceland in Winter.

At the beginning of March the darkness of the Icelandic winter is starting to lift and the days are becoming longer. We will have up to ten hours of good light during the day and with a little bit of luck the spectacular Northern Lights will increase our photographic opportunities well into the night. Winter conditions in Iceland can be stunningly beautiful: the glacial lagoons freeze, some of the waterfalls are partially frozen, the glaciers appear more blue with fresh snow on top and with fewer visitors, the black sand beaches of the south are more pristine. With true darkness in winter comes the possibility of seeing the awe inspiring Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). We plan to make photographs of them whenever there are clear skies and intense Aurora activity.We have a new itinerary for 2015 that includes many of our favourite locations for Winter photography as well as quite a few new ones we have not included before. Our 2014 workshop sold out in just a few days so if you would like to join us you can register your interest by dropping me an email or by filling in the registration form on my website at www.jholko.com. The workshop is fully inclusive of all meals, accommodation and ground transportation as well as all tuition and image reviews. Places are filled on a first come, first served basis and once they are spoken for thats it. Please be sure to read the testimonials page to see what others are saying about our workshops and expeditions.

Arrived in Africa – Completing the Seven Continents

Posted in Africa, News and Updates, Travel Photography, Workshops and ExpeditionsLeave a comment

It certainly feels very strange to be trading the deep freeze of an Iceland winter for the heat of the world’s oldest deserts and as I boarded the Air Namibia flight in Frankfurt I did take a second and think to myself about that less than comfortable moment of instant acclimatisation when one steps out of an air conditioned aircraft and is greeted by an oppressive wall of hot desert air. I really do prefer the cold climate of the world’s polar regions. Nevertheless I have made it to Namibia and its fantastic to be in Africa. This is my first visit to Africa and it marks a personal milestone and goal of visiting all seven of the world’s continents by the age of forty (Africa was the last continent for me). The irony for me is that I have visited most of the rest of the continents many times and that it was only a decision to run two joint photographic workshops to Namibia with my friend Andy Biggs that finally drew me to the dark continent. Now that I am finally here I am very keen to make the most of the opportunity and put some serious time into desert photography.

Andy and I are keen to get underway tomorrow on our first Namibia workshop. I admit to feeling a real sense of adventure for the coming trip as the locations we are visiting are all new to me and I relish the chance to photograph them with fresh eyes. Our workshop is of an overland nature and we are travelling in 4-wheel drives between our accommodations and shooting locations so there will be lots of opportunities to stop and photograph along the way. Internet access is likely to be somewhat sporadic over the next few weeks but I do hope to post an image or two from our travels if time and availability permit. For now, I have traded the Arctic clothing for a pair of light weight trekking pants, sun shirt and hat and it’s time to start exploring.

Iceland Winter Workshop Complete – Heading North in Search of Foxes…

Posted in Arctic, News and Updates, Photographs, Wildlife PhotographsLeave a comment

Daniel Bergmann and I have just completed our annual winter workshop in Iceland and are now back in the capital city of Reykjavik. This quick post is not intended to be a full debrief report from the trip as that will come later once I have more time and a chance to sit down and write up the details of our trip. In the meantime I am headed north west tomorrow to the seaside town of Ísafjörður on a short internal flight where I am meeting up with a film crew to spend a week photographing Arctic Foxes in the extreme north in Hornvik. Hornvik is located in the remote Hornstrandir nature reserve in the Westfjords of Iceland. The area is situated between the precipices Hornbjarg in the east and Haelavikurbjarg in the west.  The nearest cove further east is Latravik with the lighthouse, and to the west is Haelavik. This part of Iceland is very remote and completely inaccessible in winter or summer by car or 4-wheel drive so our only chance to get there is with a weather window by chartered boat. No people have lived there permanently since approximately the 1940’s so it is necessary to take absolutely everything with us for our stay in this area – including food, fuel and emergency e-perbs. Hornvik is the ideal place to find Arctic Foxes and my hope is to spend a week photographing them in their winter coats around their dens in the snow. The image below of an Arctic Fox was made last summer in Svalbard.

What’s in my Camera Bag?

Posted in Equipment, News and UpdatesLeave a comment

With the many different approaches to camera gear it can be quite interesting and insightful to see what gear photographers carry with them into the field as they go about their work. I have picked up a number of good equipment tips and packing techniques over the years from other photographers who have joined me on a workshop or expedition. To this end, InMyBag.net are featuring the equipment I have carried with me to Iceland this winter. InMyBag.net is a new destination website which showcases photographer’s best work, delves into their philosophy, and more interestingly has a nosey in their camera bag!

Arrived in Iceland – Ready for Winter Aurora Workshop Kick Off!

Posted in Iceland, News and Updates, Travel Photography, Workshops and ExpeditionsLeave a comment

I don’t think it matters how many times you do the same long haul international flight as it never seems to get any easier or less painful. Even though I was able to co-ordinate my flights to avoid any really horrendous layovers in Dubai or London I didn’t get much sleep on the flights over here and as soon as I finish this blog post I am going to crawl into bed and catch some shut eye so I am fresh and rested for day one of my winter workshop. It is fantastic to be back in Iceland in Winter and I am super keen to get underway tomorrow. We have a really fantastic group of twelve participants on this workshop and Daniel and I have some incredible locations lined up for photography over the next ten days. We will be headed North to some lesser known locations initially as we make our way around the top of the Island before we drop down to some of the more well known locations such as the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon in the south. The weather forecast is looking good for the next few days in the north (storms in the South East) and we are hopeful for some Aurora Borealis (Northern lights) during the evenings. It is going to be a blast and if time permits I will post some updates to my blog and Facebook as we travel around the Island. But right now its time for sleep….