Category: Workshops and Expeditions

Workshops and Expeditions around the world.

Greenland East Coast 2019 & 2020 Expeditions Sold Out!

Posted in Arctic, Landscape Photographs, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Workshops and Expeditions1 Comment

Both my back-to-back 2019 and 2020 expeditions to the remote East Coast of Greenland on the cusp of Winter are now SOLD OUT.  If you have not travelled to and photographed the Scoresby Sund region of Greenland then you absolutely must put it on your bucket list. The East coast of Greenland is one of the most spectacular locations on our planet. Speaking candidly, if I could only photograph one place for the rest of my life it would be Scoresby Sund and the East Coast of Greenland.  It is absolutely miraculous on every level.

If you missed out on a place on the 2019 and 2020 expeditions but would like to travel to the East Coast of Greenland to photograph this amazing region then I will be repeating this very special ‘Winters Cusp’ expedition in September of 2021 (some places and cabins already spoken for). Full details are now available for download from my website at www.jholko.com including a complete PDF itinerary. Dont forget to also check out  the Adobe Spark Greenland Presentation.

Faroe Islands Workshop 2019 Packing List

Posted in Arctic, Landscape Photographs, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Uncategorized, Workshops and Expeditions1 Comment

With time marching ever onward my brief respite at home in Australia after my recent Svalbard High Arctic expedition (Read the Trip Report) has already come to an end and early tomorrow morning I am heading back to the airport to start the trek back north (via London and Copenhagen) for my 2019 workshop to the Faroe Islands with good friend Martyn Lucas.

Packing for the Faroe Islands is a bit of a compromise for me. Although the primary emphasis on this workshop is definitely landscape, we will also be taking the opportunity to photograph Atlantic Puffins and the many sea birds found along the Islands precipitous sea cliffs. As such, I need to pack some wildlife kit as well as my usual landscape equipment. Although I could probably get by with just my 100-400mm lens for the Puffins the reality is that I know I will miss the 400mm 2.8L IS MK3 and as such this lens is a must take for me. With that in mind, my equipment for this workshop as follows:

– Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera with RRS L Bracket (and spare batteries)

– Canon EOS RF to EF Adapter

– Canon 16-35mm F4L

– Canon 24-70mm F4L IS

– Canon 100-400mm F3.5 – 5.6 IS MKII

– Canon EOS 1DX MKII (with spare battery)

– Canon 400mm F2.8L IS MKIII

– Nisi Filter Kit including Graduated ND Filters, ND Filters and Circular Polariser

– Gitzo Carbon Fibre Tripod with Arca Swiss D4 Geared Head

– Cable Release

The Faroe Islands have long been on my list to photograph as part of a workshop and I am really excited to get underway with a small group of passionate attendees. See you in the Faroes in a few days! The below photograph courtesy Martyn Lucas.

Frozen Planet Svalbard Expedition in Winter and Spring 2020

Posted in Arctic, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Uncategorized, Wildlife Photographs, Workshops and ExpeditionsLeave a comment

In April and May next year I will be leading a new Winter / early Spring expedition to the Svalbard archipelago in search of Polar Bears, Walrus, Reindeer, Arctic Fox and of course spectacular polar landscapes. The Arctic in Winter and Spring is a place to inspire the imagination. It is a white landscape bathed in golden light. The main focus of this expedition will be late Arctic winter and early spring light, landscape and wildlife. In March and April the light conditions in Svalbard are magical. Usually winter trips to Svalbard are limited to day trips on snow mobiles quite close to the town of Longyearbyen. With our expedition ship we will explore a much bigger area including the western and northern areas of Spitzbergen.

This expedition has been designed to provide the very best possible opportunities to experience and photograph Svalbard in winter light. We expect to meet wildlife such as Polar Bears, Walruses, Seals, Arctic Foxes and Reindeer. At this time of year the sea birds will also be returning to their breeding grounds.

This exclusive expedition is for a strictly limited number of just 12 participants plus leader and is dedicated to winter photography in Svalbard. As of a few days ago, we are now down to just the last couple of places before the expedition will be sold out.

We will be using the ice hardened expedition ship M.S Freya that will enable us to skirt the edge of the pack ice searching for and photographing landscapes and wildlife. M.S Feya is widely regarded as the best ship in the Arctic for Photography. Our expedition ship is also equipped with sufficient zodiacs (2 x Zodiac MKV models) and crew for all photographers to be shooting simultaneously with plenty of room to spare for camera equipment – So bring what you need!

Meals will be held onboard the ship and shall consist of breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea/coffee and two course dinner (three course dinner the last evening). Coffee and tea will be available 24 hours a day. The mealtimes shall be held at regular times, but the catering crew has been informed that photography has priority on this expedition and flexibility is necessary. If you have special dietary requirement you will be accommodated – please just be sure to let us know when you make your booking.

If you are excited by the idea of traveling to Svalbard in winter with a small group of dedicated photographers now is the time to secure your place. Once the last places are spoken for that’s it.

Departing for Polar Bears of the High Arctic Expedition 2020

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Tomorrow I will be leaving the cold damp of Melbourne’s Winter and making the long journey up to Svalbard in the the Arctic for my 2019 Polar Bears of the High Arctic expedition (where ironically it is likely to be warmer than my home state at this time of year!). The 2019 expedition has been sold out for many months, but there are still a few places left on the 2020 expedition. If you are interested in photographing Polar Bears in their natural environment in one of the most spectacular parts of the Arctic then drop me an email for further details.

For this expedition I will be taking the usual assortment of equipment with a few recent upgrades as noted below. My cameras for this expedition will remain my two Canon EOS 1DX MKII cameras. I am leaving my EOS R mirrorless in the studio as this camera really works for me as a landscape camera on the tripod and the emphasis on this expedition is most definitely wildlife.

  • 2 x Canon EOS 1DX MKII Cameras with spare batteries
  • 1 x Canon 600mm F4L IS MKIII (recently updated from the MKII)
  • 1 x Canon 70-200mm f2.8L IS MKIII (recently updated from the MKII)
  • 1 x Canon 24-70mm f4L IS
  • 1 x Canon 11-24mm f4L
  • 1 x Canon 1.4TC MKIII
  • 1 X Sachtler Carbon Tripod and FSB-6 Fluid Head

I never tire of the wonders of the Arctic and am literally itching to get underway and get some ice under my feet. Bring on the Polar Bears!

Wolverines, Wolves and Bears of Finland in Autumn – Availability 2019

Posted in Finland, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Wildlife Photographs, Workshops and Expeditions1 Comment

There are now just two places available on my Wolverines and Wolves workshop this October in northern Finland. We will be photographing in mid Autumn conditions: We can expect everything from sunny days to cloud, fog or even heavy rain. This variety of weather, landscape and lighting conditions will provide you with the opportunity to create a diverse, creative and professional portfolio of these predators. We will be photographing almost exclusively from hides as these animals are extremely shy and very elusive. Each hide is equipped with everything you need to spend hours (even overnight) out in the field. We will have a number of different hides from which to choose, with various viewing angles.

On this workshop we will be staying in private cottages located deep inside a Nature Reserve only a few miles from the Russian border. Each cottage can accommodate up to four people, but is available for single use at no extra cost. Breakfast will be taken at our accommodation. Lunch and dinner will be a combination of food in the field, and home cooked meals prepared for us by a chef at our cabins. If you have special dietary requirements please be sure to let us know at time of booking.

If you are interested in photographing these apex predators along with black bears and White-Tailed Eagles from private hides during the fiery Autumn colour of Finland then please drop me an email to register your interest.