Australian Geographic Magazine features ‘Fortress’ Iceberg Antarctica

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The latest issue of Australian Geographic Magazine – May / June 2014 features a double page spread of one of my favourite photographs from Antarctica. A photograph I titled ‘Fortress’ for its giant castellated peaks and ominous presence. I took this photograph back in 2011 on my November Antarctica expedition and it has remained one of my favourite images from subsequent repeat visits to the Great White Continent. We were very fortunate to come across this incredible iceberg under dark and moody overcast skies as we cruised up the Gerlache Strait and I recall thinking to myself conditions could not have been more perfect to photograph this leviathan.

As I have written about here on my blog before this photograph was taken with a 17mm Tilt Shift lens from the deck of the Ocean Nova on my Canon EOS 1DS MKIII. I used the lenses shift mechanism to lower the perspective and give the impression the photograph was taken closer to the water. A higher resolution version of this photograph can be seen on my website in the Antarctica Portfolio and prints are available from my gallery in Brighton Australia and Aspen in the USA. Please contact me for sizes, edition availability and pricing.

Finalist ANZANG and BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014

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I returned home late last night from an incredible two months spent in both Iceland and the oldest deserts in the world in Namibia. Both my Iceland winter 2014 workshop and Namibia 2014 workshops were incredible experiences and I will have a lot more to say about both trips over the coming weeks including complete debrief reports here on my blog. In the meantime, whilst I was away I learned that several of my photographs had made the finals in both ANZANG and BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competitions for 2014. Both of these competitions are two of the most respected amongst outdoor photographers today and I am extremely honoured to be a finalist in both of them. Judging is still underway for both competitions but I can reveal that one my finalist images for ANAZNG is from my last trip to Antarctica – Penguin rookery at Petermann Island. This photograph was taken around 11pm in the evening under perfect conditions, magical light and the rising moon at Petermann Island on my 2013 Antarctica expedition. This photograph is also my photograph of the month for April 2014.

Ultimate Iceland Summer Workshop Space Available

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Daniel Bergmann and I have a single place that has just become available this year on our Ultimate Iceland summer workshop from July 13th – July 23rd. We are looking forward to spectacular waterfalls, glaciers, icebergs and the incredible geothermal highland interior of Iceland all under the soft light of the midnight sun. The workshop investment is $7,450 USD and is fully inclusive of all accommodation, meals and in country transport. If you are interested in photographing the spectacular landscape of Iceland and would like additional information then please drop me an email at info@jholko.com.  This last available place is filled on a first come, first served basis.

Iceland 2015 Winter Aurora Workshop Open for Bookings

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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

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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.