Penguin World Project – Saving the World’s Oceans

As some of you may already be aware (those of you joining me on my Antarctica White Nature Expedition next year) I was recently invited to join the Penguin World Project as one of the project photographers. In brief, the Penguin world project focuses on conservation of our marine ecosystem and aims to help spread awareness of the rapidly deteriorating health of the world’s oceans. Penguin World believes penguins are the best Ambassadors to address conservation issues and challenges for the oceans marine life. For communicating the message Penguin World are publishing books, articles and arranging expeditions, exhibitions and events worldwide to drive urgently needed attention to these important conservation topics. Being asked to be a part of the Penguin World Project as part of a small select team is a great honour and more importantly a fantastic opportunity. I have long wanted to push my efforts and photography more into conservation and I am looking forward to working actively in the project over the coming months. The project also wants to work closely with Partners who want to join forces for a better future for our marine ecosystem. You can read more about Penguin World at the Penguin World Website. I urge you to consider donating to Penguin World. Every small contribution helps. Even $5 (the cost of a cup of coffee) is helpful and appreciated. No one is paid for their involvement in Penguin World and all donations are used to help meet the projects aims and objectives. Donating is only one way to become involved in the project; even spreading the word helps! If you would like to be kept up to date on the progress of the Penguin World Project  you can sign up for the Penguin World Newsletter.Penguin Love

The Mission

Our MISSION is to draw the world’s attention to the importance of, and threats to, our marine ecosystems. Penguins are the perfect ambassadors for communicating about the 18 most serious conservation issues. Adopting a positive and proactive approach to tackling some of the biggest issues, we aim to involve scientists, academics and global companies that have established social responsibility and environmental strategies.

Our VISION is a future with healthy and vibrant oceans. To achieve this, we want to share solutions for more sustainable fisheries, safe seafood, cleaner waters and thriving marine life.

Conservation

On our beautiful blue planet, the sea covers more than 70% of the surface. But the world’s oceans are suffering from pollution, unsustainable fishing, habitat destruction and climate change. How do human activities affect our oceans and what technological innovations, management changes and political agreements will resolve these issues?

Communication

Photography and film are powerful tools to communicate about the conservation issues penguins are facing and outline possible solutions. Some of the world’s finest nature photographers are currently undertaking expeditions to remote islands and areas in the Southern Hemisphere to capture the images to share these stories.

Why Penguins?

Penguins are perfect ambassadors for the conservation of our seas. They eat the same fish species as us, move around upright and have a complex social life, in which we can see a reflection of our own. They are funny and cute, and they speak to us on an emotional level. They are a living barometer of how marine conditions are changing.FalklandIslands2015-3179-Edit

 

Melrakki – The Arctic Fox Limited Edition Book Now Available for Pre-Order

I am extremely pleased and excited to announce today the pre-order release of Melrakki; my brand new Limited Edition Hardcover book on the Arctic fox. The culmination of three years of winter photography in the extreme north-west of Iceland, Melrakki is available now for pre-order exclusively as a Limited Edition hard bound fine-art book. Limited to just 100 copies, each edition is hand numbered and signed and includes an original 11″ x 09″ inch fine-art pigment on paper print.

With foreword by pre-eminent scientist and Arctic fox expert Dr. Ester Rut Unnsteinsdóttir, Melrakki includes over fifty photographs and field notes from the three years spent photographing this remarkable predator in the extreme north-west of Iceland.

Melrakki Limited Edition is printed using the highest possible quality Canon Dreamlabo inkjet printer system and is printed on beautiful 250gsm High Definition Lustre paper that fully captures all of the incredible colour and tones of the original photographs. The Canon Dreamlabo represents the current state of the art in book printing and was chosen for this project after extensive testing and proofing as it yielded the highest quality that most closely resembles the original fine-art pigment on paper prints. I am extremely proud to stand behind the print quality in this Limited Edition book.

The included fine-art pigment-on-paper print is printed on Moab Somerset Museum Rag 300gsm paper and is hand signed.

Melrakki Limited Edition is $245 AUD plus shipping and can be ordered online exclusively through my website HERE.

I hope that you enjoy the photographs, insights and field notes from this project into the frozen world of Melrakki – the Arctic fox.

Photographs and Text by Joshua Holko

Approximate Dimensions: 22cm x 30 cm

96 pages (over 50 photographs + field notes)
The photo book & the print are together in a protective cloth sleeve

ISBN: 978-0-646-95781-4CoverForewordIntroductionPhoto

backcoverWatch a short excerpt from the making of Melrakki on VimeoArcticFoxVideo

Wild Magazine July / August 2016 Ice Bears of Svalbard Folio

The latest July / August 2016 issue of Australian Wild Magazine includes a portfolio of my photographs of Polar Bears from Svalbard in the Arctic. Wild magazine has previously featured my photography as dedicated folios in three separate issues back in February 2011June 2013 and July 2015. The 2011 issue included a Portfolio of landscape images from Iceland. The 2013 issue included a Portfolio from Antarctica and the 2015 issue included a first release of images from my project on the Arctic Fox (look for a very limited collector’s edition fine art book containing the complete Arctic fox project to be released within the next four weeks). Just click on the image below to download the latest Wild Folio as a PDF.IceBearsSvalbardFootNote: Wild magazine was founded and originally owned by Chris Baxter – a well respected climber and outdoorsman in his own right who was largely responsible for a significant portion of the early rock climbing scene in Australia. I had the privilege of knowing Chris and climbing with him briefly during my youth at both Mount Arapiles and The Grampians. Chris forged many new climbs at both of these world famous locations as well as Mount Buffalo and was a full time character in the Australian climbing scene. Chris subsequently sold Wild due to health issues after building up a very successful publishing company that became the outlet for all things bush walking and climbing related in Australia. Unfortunately  Chris passed away in 2010 after a long fight with cancer but ‘Wild’ and ‘Rock’ continue to be published under new new ownership.Svalbard-9725-Edit

Extraordinary Vision Magazine Returns

After a brief hiatus one of my favourite online photography magazines has returned  – Extraordinary Vision : The Outdoor Photographer’s Source of Inspiration. I am extremely pleased and honoured to own the cover of the latest issue and to have a portfolio of my photography from Antarctica included.

Extraordinary Vision magazine is now available fortnightly (instead of monthly) with a kick start free trial. Best of all its only $1.99 to subscribe per month – less than a cup of coffee. You can download the current issue + the next two new issues + 10 back issues absolutely free by taking up the free 30 Day Trial Subscription. Do yourself and your creativity a favour and check it out. Available exclusively though the iTunes App store or Google Play.ExtraodinaryVision2016

Antarctica : White Nature 2017 Expedition Announcement

Today I am very excited to announce a brand new and unique expedition to the Great White continent in November 2017 next year  – Antarctica: White Nature. This new and very special expedition is a co-operative effort between myself and Norwegian photographer and friend Ole Jorgen Liodden.

Iceberg in Antarctica

Antarctica is miraculous; a remote, white continent of stark and beautiful desolation. For Nature photographers, Antarctica is without doubt the gold standard against which all other photography destinations are measured. Nowhere else on earth offers such incredible landscape and wildlife in such a pristine and remote environment. Best of all, we have timed our expedition as the first of the season in order to provide the best possible chance for fantastic icebergs and great light. Our expedition is a full charter which means we are 100% dedicated to providing the best possible experience and opportunities for photography. Unlike most trips to our Antarctica you wont have to share with tourists or regular travellers. You will be sharing with people who are just as dedicated and passionate as you are about capturing the best possible photographs.

The expedition is for a strictly limited number of 54 participants plus photography guides and expedition leader. We have chartered the ice hardened expedition ship M/S Polar Pioneer with a highly experienced crew so that we can get as close as possible to giant icebergs for the best photographs. Our expedition ship the ‘Polar Pioneer’ is equipped with sufficient zodiacs and crew for all photographers to be shooting simultaneously with plenty of room to spare for camera equipment. So bring what you need!

Antarctica-3198-Edit

The main focus of this expedition will be Antarctic wildlife including penguins, seabirds, seals, and possibly even whales. We also plan to photograph snow and ice covered landscapes and icebergs. Our expedition has been timed as the first of the season so we expect fantastic icebergs and a breathtaking winter landscape. Very few photographers have visited Antarctica in early November, and experience has shown us that this will give you the best possible photo opportunities.

Antarctica is one of the hot-spots for photographing penguins, seals and icebergs in a great landscape. We will be landing early in the morning and late in the evening to get the best possible light conditions, which you will miss out on an ordinary tourist trip.Antarctica1DX-7760

We will schedule much longer stops than usual when going ashore in order to provide participants with enough time to get excellent pictures. We will be using MKV zodiac boats to get ashore or when searching for the wildlife at sea. With 9-10 full days near the Antarctic Peninsula, this expedition is for nature photographers who want more quality time with the Antarctic wildlife and landscape. To get an idea of the sort gf photographs you will be able to make on this expedition please visit the Antarctica Portfolio on my website.Antarctica-7509-Edit

WHY TRAVEL TO ANTARCTICA WITH US?

• Unlike most tourist cruises to Antarctica, where you are sharing space with regular travelers, our expedition is a full charter dedicated to providing the best possible photographic experience for all aboard. You will be sharing the expedition only with dedicated and passionate photographers.

• Our expedition uses an ice hardened ship that is limited to the small group size of just 54 photographers. IATTO restrictions enforce the number of visitors to Antarctica rigorously. With only 54 photographers you will not miss any opportunity or suffer any landing restrictions due to large passenger numbers.

• Our expedition has been timed as the rst in the season in order to provide the very best opportunities for great light and fantastic icebergs. Very few photographers have traveled to Antarctica in November.

• Photography on our expedition is our primary focus and concern (after safety). Our catering staff understand our requirement to be working when the light is at its best. As such our meal times are exible and not regimented to ensure we maximize all opportunities.

• Our program is 100% tailored towards photography.

• The photography guide leaders: Joshua Holko and Ole Jorgen Liodden are both full time professional Nature photographers who specialize in Polar Photography and who have a combined total of twelve seasons of experience and more than twenty four expeditions to Antarctica.

• Our Expedition Leader Martin Enckell has spent more than ten summers in Antarctica and is widely regarded as one of the most experienced expedition leaders in Antarctica.

• Our Naturalist Eirik Grønningsæter is also a professional Nature photographer with more than eight years experience in Antarctica.

• Our expanded photographic guide team is quite simply the best in the business. With a combined total of well over sixty expeditions to Antarctica our guides know and understand what you are looking for in your photography and are dedicated to ensuring you capture the best possible images during the expedition.

• Check out some of our previous Expedition VideosAntarctica-3074-Edit

WHAT PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS SAY ABOUT OUR EXPEDITIONS:

“After traveling with Joshua Holko and Wild Nature Photo Travel I simply can’t imagine going with anyone else. These guys are the real deal.” – Robyn Mills – Photographer

“If you want to experience and photograph the real Antarctica, look no further than Joshua Holko and Wild Nature Photo Travel” – Martyn Lucas – Photographer

We invite you to join us on a 14 days (13 nights) photography expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula in November 2017. due to our initial expressions of interest and bookings places are already very limited. If you would like more information or would like to register your booking please contact me via email.  You can download a detailed PDF booking form HERE. Get ready for the ultimate Antarctica White Nature Expedition!Antarctica-7003-Edit