Alasdair climbing on the pressure ridges
Apr, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
Near the end of my fourth season (3 winters and 1 summer) living at a research base in Antarctica, we decided to go explore the pressure ridges near our station. (Pressure ridges are formed when thick sheets of sea ice covering the bay are slowly pushed around as the waters underneath them move with the tides. Over months, these ice sheets break and thrust up against each other to create high peaks (similar to how mountains are created with plate movement)). A small group of us went out to photograph these natural wonders. This was our lead mountaineer, who ensured we navigated the area safely.Time
We set out around noon this day (see the note about lighting) We had planned a few different locations since weather and conditions can be so unpredictable but we got lucky with some "comfortable" temperatures and incredibly calm winds. Very uncharacteristic for that time of year.Lighting
Antarctica swings from 24 hours of darkness in the winter to 24 hours of sun in the summer so during the short transition weeks we are lucky enough to have "golden hour" light that lasts for most of the day. Instead of traveling high overhead, the sun slowly circles in loops close to the horizon. This shot was taken after coming out of a long dark winter and was one of the first times I had seen the orb of the sun in more than 4 months.Equipment
We have to wear extreme cold weather gear to stay safe, so it's hard to carry very much equipment on top of it. I just had my Nikkor 18-105 and a Nikon D7000 that was covered in sticky hand warmers to keep the cold from draining my battery.Inspiration
While photos of the landscapes of Antarctica are certainly breathtaking, I find that my interaction with the continent goes far beyond the sterile, white outdoors that most people expect. I have spent more years of my adult life there than anywhere else on earth and to me, Antarctica is about my experience calling the most inhospitable place in the world home. That's why a friend climbing a pressure ridge is more interesting to me than the pressure ridges themselves. It's the human aspect I find most fascinating.Editing
I brought up the shadows to see some more detail in his clothing and the ridges in the distance. I also slightly increased the clarity to create more dimension in the foreground pressure ridge. Cropping was difficult (I'm not entirely sure I still like the crop I chose). He was climbing on a huge freestanding ice sheet and because there was no support on the other side, it looked incredibly dramatic. Unfortunately, I couldn't capture the entire formation from my viewpoint (it was dangerous to climb any further away) which meant the subject needed to be my friend and not the ridge. The original frame had more of the impressive structure, but there was a competing draw between the ice sheet and the person. It made for an uncomfortable composition so in the end, I sacrificed some drama of the scene to have a clearer emphasis on the subject.In my camera bag
I am constantly traveling so I try to keep my gear as minimal as possible. Right now, I primarily carry a Nikon D750 with a Tamaron 70-200 F2.8 and a Nikkor 50 F1.8. Other than that, I bring along a Joby gorilla pod, a tiny cleaning kit and a rain cover. I want all of my equipment to fit in a nondescript satchel purse that I wear with a cross body strap. I know this isn't the best way to keep my gear in tip top shape, but it's the safest way I have found to make myself less of a target when traveling in more dangerous countries.Feedback
When shooting people doing something, I love to include as much of the environment as I can. Telling a story (as cliche as that phrase is) is easiest when you set the scene and give some background information without detracting from the main subject. Create dimension with objects in different planes and try multiple different angles. Most importantly, just get out there and shoot!
