I have a strong fascination with icebergs and glaciers and have been privileged to have seen a good many during the course of my travels in the last few years. From the base of Mount Cook, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers in the South Island of New Zealand to Europe’s largest and mighty Vatnajokull glacier and stunning Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon and black sand beaches in Iceland, to the countless glaciers that dot the Antarctic peninsula and the multitude of icebergs that lie festooned in the myriad of bays and iceberg graveyards that make up the great white continent. I have witnessed and photographed icebergs in a dizzying array of forms and states under a wide variety of light and weather. Many of them have been spectacular and beautiful and all have been unique creations and sculptures of nature. This particular iceberg however, rates as the most unusual I have yet had the pleasure to photograph. An iceberg I have christened ‘HMAS Penguin Pool’ and one that is my photograph of the month for May 2012.
This particular iceberg was spotted by our captain Alexey on my last trip to Antarctica at the end of 2011 somewhere around the Anvil Strait (I do not recall the exact location and the GPS plot I have does not link up with my RAW files). We cruised slowly up to the side of the berg in our ship the Ocean Nova during a heavy snow storm. I was standing on the Port side of the ship only metres from the iceberg as several penguins were making their way along the length of the berg. I was able to take around 60 frames as we cruised slowly past what is the most unusual and unique iceberg I have ever encountered. I recall at the time one well known photographer who shall remain nameless standing too my right lamenting how it was such a pity it was snowing. All I could think of as I continued to press the shutter was how pleased I was that it was snowing and that it wasn’t brilliant sunshine. The overcast conditions, dark clouds and heavy snowfall add to the drama and speak to a more evocative primordial nature. A higher resolution version of this photograph can be seen on my portfolio website at www.jholko.com under Antarctica.
CAPTURE MAGAZINE TOP EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHERS 2012
I was very pleased to learn yesterday that I was selected as a finalist in the 2012 Capture Magazine Top Emerging Photographers in Australia in the Landscape category. This is Capture’s fourth annual awards showcasing the very best of Australia’s emerging photographic talent as chosen by some of Australia’s preeminent professional photographers. Over 4000 images were received this year for judging and I am very honoured to have had my portfolio of six photographs amongst them and to be selected as one of only three finalists in the Landscape category. Capture Magazine is Australia’s top selling pro-photography magazine and has also previously featured my work in 2011.
ICELAND 2013 WINTER WORKSHOP II – REGISTRATION OPEN: ‘LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE’
Due to there being quite a few people who missed out on securing a place on the winter workshop I am leading to Iceland in early March next year with my friend Andy Biggs, we have decided to run a 2nd trip directly after the first sold out expedition. This will give those who missed out or that are currently on the waiting list another opportunity. I am therefore very pleased to announce a 2nd jointly led winter photographic expedition to Iceland with fellow Moab Master photographer Andy Biggs and pro nature photographer Daniel Bergmann. This expedition is from the 22nd of March until the 31st of March 2013. This trip will also focus on the southern coast and Snæfellsnes peninsula. Due to pre-registrations from the existing waiting list and bookings already received there are already only a few places remaining.
If you are interested in photographing in the amazingly geologically diverse country of Iceland then now is the time to register. 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.
If you would like to join us then please contact either myself or Andy Biggs with your registration of interest. This expedition is strictly limited to a maximum of twelve participants, plus leaders and guide and places are reserved on a first come, first served basis – there are currently only a few places remaining. For members of the AIPP Australian Institute of Professional Photography this workshop is CPD accredited and accrues 15 points toward your annual target of 50 points. For further queries please contact me directly.
ICELAND 2013 WINTER WORKSHOP – SOLD OUT: ‘WAITING LIST ONLY’
The 2013 winter expedition I am co-leading to Iceland with Andy Biggs is now SOLD OUT. If you are interested in photographing in the amazingly geologically diverse country of Iceland then you can still register your interest and be placed on the waiting list. The expedition is from the 9th of March until the 18th of March 2013 and will focus on the southern coast and Snæfellsnes peninsula. 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. Please just email me with your details if you would like to be added to the waiting list.
ICELAND 2013 WINTER WORKSHOP – OPEN FOR REGISTRATION: ‘LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE’
I am very pleased to announce a jointly led winter photographic expedition to Iceland with fellow Moab Master photographer Andy Biggs and pro nature photographer Daniel Bergmann. The expedition is from the 9th of March until the 18th of March 2013 and will focus on the southern coast and Snæfellsnes peninsula . A copy of the information, registration and booking form can be downloaded HERE. Due to pre-registrations and bookings already received there are already only a few places remaining.
If you are interested in photographing in the amazingly geologically diverse country of Iceland then now is the time to register. 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.
If you want to be able to take photographs like this then please contact either myself or Andy Biggs with your registration of interest. This expedition is strictly limited to a maximum of twelve participants, plus leaders and guide and places are reserved on a first come, first served basis – there are currently only a few places remaining. For members of the AIPP Australian Institute of Professional Photography this workshop is CPD accredited and accrues 15 points toward your annual target of 50 points. For further queries please contact me directly.
www.WILDNATUREPHOTOTRAVEL.com 