Antarctica Photography Trips: Tips for the Ice-bound Explorer

With its ever-shifting icescapes and mercurial light, Antarctica is without a doubt one of the most photogenic places on the planet—and that’s before the wildlife even enters the frame. Among the penguins and pinnipeds, it’s easy to feel more like a biologist in the field than a tourist. 

 

In fact, tourism to the White Continent is still relatively new. “Citizen explorers” have only been traveling to its icy shores since 1966, when Lindblad Expeditions’ founder Lars-Eric Lindblad led the very first Antarctica expedition cruise.

 

To help you plan the best photography trip to Antarctica, consider these expert tips from award-winning photographer and filmmaker Rich Reid, Director of Expedition Photography for National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. 

 

“It’s impossible to try to describe Antarctica,” Reid shares. “The sights, the sounds, the smells, the quality of light—and the old adage is that you visit for the penguins, but you return for the ice. The massive tabular icebergs, arches, and spired formations that look like the set of a sci-fi movie... No words or images can prepare you for how magnificent the ice is.”

 

Planning Your Photography Trip to Antarctica: What to Consider

 

 

Whether you have albums full of travel photographs or tend to return home with little more than a passport stamp, Antarctica’s frozen splendor can bring out the photographer’s eye in anyone. From the athletic grace of diving seabirds to the sheer artistry of iceberg formations to the adrenaline rush of calving glaciers, you’ll want to capture it all. 

 

First, you’ll have to decide how to get there. To travel to Antarctica, preparation is paramount, due in part to the continent’s notably unpredictable weather and remote location. Choosing a company with impeccable safety records and veteran Icemasters at the helm is also crucial to having a top-notch experience.

 

Read on to discover all you need to know—from planning your trip to the best gear to bring along.

When to Go to Antarctica for Photography

 

Antarctica’s travel season occurs during the austral summer, from late November to early March. For photography specifically, the best time to go to Antarctica will depend on what you’re most looking forward to capturing.  

 

If dramatic light is what you’re after, aim for the early or late ends of the season, when epic sunrises and sunsets paint the sky pink and orange. For crisp, pristine snowscapes and the chance to shoot from the fast ice, consider going in November when you'll also enjoy sweeping views of vast penguin colonies.

 

To see baby penguins, book late December to early January, when the rookeries will be overrun by fluffy chicks. If you’re most excited about whales, choose February or March, when their numbers peak.  

 

 

Choosing Your Ship

 

The ships that sail to Antarctica range from eight-passenger sailing yachts to massive megaships that can accommodate up to 2,000 passengers. However, environmental protections prohibit ships with more than 500 guests on board from hosting land excursions, and ships below that threshold are only permitted to bring 100 folks on shore at any given time. 

 

While Antarctica is, of course, still beautiful to admire from afar, the intimate experience offered by small expedition ships is unmatched—especially for photographers who don’t want to miss out on a single moment. Expedition ships deploy nimble Zodiac boats that get you down at water level directly among the ethereal icebergs and abundant wildlife and they offer activities like hiking and kayaking to allow you to pursue your own unique perspective. 

 

One additional factor to consider is that smaller ships will be the most vulnerable to rough seas. Two PC5 Category A polar ships in the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet—the National Geographic Endurance and the National Geographic Resolution—feature a patented X-Bow that offers guests the smoothest, most comfortable, and quietest ride in all kinds of sea conditions.  

 

Selecting an Antarctica Itinerary

 

 

Regardless of your itinerary, almost all voyages begin and end in Ushuaia, Argentina. In Antarctica, plans are subject to ice conditions, which are constantly changing. In general, if you’re hoping to go beyond, you’ll have to travel later in the season.  

 

In addition to the Antarctic peninsula, you may want to add on the subantarctic isles of South Georgia and the Falklands. These two Southern Ocean stops teem with life and South Georgia in particular delivers one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles—a hundred thousand king penguins all on one beach.   

 

Several companies now offer direct flights to the peninsula, so travelers who prefer to bypass the Drake Passage have the option. However, that’s actually one of Reid’s favorite experiences to photograph. “It’s hit or miss as far as the weather goes, but just transiting through the 40s and 50s and then all the way down to almost 60 degrees latitude is phenomenal,” says Reid. “Watching albatross soar gracefully across the water just never gets old.”

 

Bringing the Right Photography Gear

 

When the weather can change as quickly as the click of a shutter, a dry bag is necessary to protect your camera body, lens, and any other accessories you’ll need. Everything you bring must be portable and you’ll be responsible for carrying it, so make sure to have a well-made, comfortable daypack and only pack what you’re sure you will use. 

 

When you travel with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, you’ll have access to an exclusive pre-voyage photography webinar, where expert presenters will cover lenses, filters, and beyond in more depth. You’ll also receive a special discount on photo gear at OM System to ensure you are thoroughly equipped for your voyage. 

 

Once you have all of your gear with you on the ship, revisit your photography packing checklist before heading out for an excursion to make sure you’ve got all you need to capture the day’s adventures.

 

Lindblad’s Antarctica Cruises with a National Geographic Photographer Guide

 

 

Since 2006, the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions collaboration has given guests unprecedented access to National Geographic Photography Experts who work alongside guests and a team of naturalists, undersea specialists, ornithologists, geologists, and cultural specialists to make magic on each expedition.  

 

Not only are these some of the best visual storytellers in the business, Reid explains, but their passion for sharing their craft is unmatched. They’re able to advise guests of any interest or skill level on the basic elements of framing, composition and light; and to provide shooting tips in the field. Many of them are also skilled naturalists who know how to predict animal behaviors and point out where to focus your lens before the action even happens. 

 

National Geographic Photography Experts are on every Antarctica voyage, and every single departure aboard the fleet includes a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions certified photo instructor who is trained to help guests level up their photography skills. 

 

Guests aboard the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet will never miss out on once-in-a-lifetime photo ops. “The late evenings and early mornings—we’re talking three to four a.m.—have some of the most magical light and sometimes it lasts for hours,” Reid says. If expedition leaders notice a spectacular moment like that, they’ll send out a gentle ship-wide announcement to make sure everyone is aware.

 

What Photography Gear Should I Bring on My Antarctic Trip?

 

The most important item is a waterproof backpack or dry bag to protect your gear not only for wet landings and splashy Zodiac rides, but to counteract any condensation, which can take a long time to dissipate. Additionally, you may want to consider a waterproof case for your smartphone.  

 

Even the best camera can be rendered useless without proper batteries and memory cards. For batteries, Reid recommends sticking with the name brand of your camera for the strongest and longest-lasting functionality. Freezing temperatures will drain batteries a lot more quickly than you’re used to, so it helps to keep your spares as close to your body as possible. 

 

“SD cards are not all created equal,” Reid advises. “If you’re buying a memory card that’s under $10, it’s most likely not that good.” Especially if you’re recording video or shooting breaching whales and calving ice in high-speed continuous bursts, you will need professional memory cards that can handle fast frame rates. 

 

Finally, you’ll need a secure place (or two!) to back up your images each evening so you can start fresh the next day and ensure you don’t lose any precious memories. Reid recommends the SSD solid state drives, which are very fast. Make sure to have your card reader and any cords you need for image transferring.  

 

Ships in the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet are equipped with photo kiosks where guests can backup images to the cloud if they prefer to leave their laptops at home and also have the chance to exchange images with other guests in a shared photo folder.

 

Best Camera for Antarctica Photography

 

 

The best cameras for Antarctica will have a manual mode that allows for exposure compensation. When shooting in auto, most cameras under-expose bright whites, which can turn pristine snow and ice gray.  

 

A lifelong Nikon shooter, Reid reports his Nikon has been impervious to the cold as well as very durable on past trips. Recently, he’s begun trying OM System (formerly Olympus) mirrorless cameras which are lightweight and have “fantastic image quality and video capabilities.”  

 

Guests can also test these cameras out, along with an array of other gear, with the onboard OM System Photo Gear Locker, which is available on select ships.

 

Best Cell Phones for Photos & Videos in Antarctica

 

Reid uses the latest iPhone and actually works with Apple to offer feedback to the engineers and the developers. He especially enjoys the time-lapse video capabilities and tends to reach for his phone to use the wide angle when his subjects are close. “You need to clean the front lens just like a camera, or else everything looks like a smudge filter,” Reid says. “I recommend a cotton lens cloth. In my experience, microfiber just smears the saltwater around.”

 

What Filters for Antarctica Photography Will I Need?

 

You may want to use a UV filter to protect the front lens element, but a polarizing filter is not necessary. (See FAQs below). Antarctica can be intensely bright, so understanding exposure compensation is really important. These days, Photoshop and Lightroom even allow you to use split neutral density filters in post-processing. Some newer mirrorless cameras even have built-in neutral density filters.

 

 

Antarctica Expedition Photography Gear Checklist

 

• Camera body
• Batteries 
• Charger & cords 
• Lenses (a wide 12-100mm and a 100-400mm zoom lens) 
• Lens hoods 
• Filters 
• Lens cloths 
• Tripod or monopod 
• Memory cards 
• Card reader 
• Laptop 
• Portable hard drive or jump drives 
• Dry bag 
• Camera bag or backpack 
• Fingerless gloves

 

Antarctica Photography Tips

 

 

Antarctica makes a thrilling subject for all photographers, regardless of experience or skills. The best photos often have nothing to do with the camera you use (smartphone, DSLR, GoPro, or even a film camera), they come from being prepared. Take some time before your trip to make sure it’s functioning properly. If shooting digitally, you may even want to practice downloading your images to your laptop computer or digital storage device. 

 

One of Reid’s most important expedition photography tips is to double check your gear before leaving for shore excursions to make sure you don’t leave any essentials behind. “I am absolutely guilty for leaving memory cards and batteries on the ship,” he says. “So, it’s all about having a system to make sure that doesn’t happen.” 

 

For stunning landscape photography, it’s important to establish a sense of scale. Context is everything when you want your composition to do the storytelling, so look for opportunities to include the ship or even your companions in the shot. 

 

Finally, Reid warns guests not to experience the whole trip through the viewfinder. When he’s leading a hike, he often invites folks to sit down and get comfortable for a five-minute “zen moment” to just take it all in. “There are no trees to hear the wind,” he shares. “It’s the purest silence I’ve ever heard.”

 

Wildlife Photography in Antarctica

 

 

Even here, on the driest, coldest, windiest continent, a shocking amount of wildlife thrives. There are 36 species of birds who spend at least part of the year here, and four resident penguin species. Antarctica is also home to six seal species, from wide-eyed Weddell seals to ferocious leopard seals, the apex predator of the region. Orcas and whales also frequent the rich waters off the Antarctic coast, including blue whales and fin whales—the two largest mammals on Earth. 

 

Similarly to the remote Galápagos Islands, Antarctica’s wildlife is generally unphased by humans, so you won’t necessarily need a zoom lens to get up close (while keeping a respectful distance, of course). Hiking alongside hundreds of waddling gentoo penguins or kayaking with a humpback whale in sight is an exhilarating experience. It takes skill to photograph a moment like that in a way that encapsulates that rush of emotion and truly transports the viewer. 

 

One of the best tips for wildlife photography is to shoot on eye-level with the animals—which may mean lying on your belly in the snow and observing patiently until the framing is just right.  

 

Antarctic wildlife to spot on expedition:

 

• Adélie penguins 
• Antarctic fur seals 
• Orcas 
• Blue-eyed cormorants 
• Chinstrap penguins 
• Crabeater seals 
• Elephant seals 
• Emperor penguins 
• Gentoo penguins 
• Humpback whales 
• Leopard seals 
• Minke whales 
• Sei whales 
• Snow petrels 
• Sperm whales 
• Wandering albatrosses 
• Weddell seals

 

Antarctica Photographic Trips & Tours FAQs

 

 

How Much Does a Typical Excursion to Antarctica Cost? 

 

On average, Antarctica cruises cost between $1,000-$1,250 per day, but there are a host of variables to consider, like voyage duration, which can affect overall costs. 

 

Are Photography Workshops Included in the Price of the Cruise?

 

It depends on the company you decide to travel with. A National Geographic Photography Expert is on board every Antarctic voyage with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, as well as a certified photo instructor who will be by your side and at your service throughout the trip at no extra cost. There are also fascinating onboard lectures ranging from how to master smartphone photography to the pioneering work of Frank Hurley, the expedition photographer on Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance expedition.

 

What Cameras Are Used in Antarctica?

 

You don’t need a special camera to photograph the beauty of Antarctica, you just need to know how to use the one you do have. Particularly when it comes to keeping whites crisp and bright, you’ll want to be able to manipulate the exposure, but even smartphone cameras can do this.

 

Do I Have to Bring Photo Equipment?

 

Not necessarily; smartphones are more than sufficient these days for amateur photographers and videographers. In fact, Reid reports he’s been shooting over half of his photos from recent expeditions on his iPhone. Additionally, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’s Antarctica-bound ships offer a complimentary OM System Photo Gear Locker for guests to field test new glass, camera bodies, binoculars, and more.

 

Will My Camera Work in the Cold of Antarctica?

 

Yes; Antarctic summer temperatures are not cold enough to impact your camera body’s mechanics but you will want to pay extra attention to preventing condensation inside your lenses, which can take a long time to dissipate. Between shoots, Reid recommends storing your lenses in your dry bag outside of your cabin to keep them cool.

 

Do I Need a Polarizing Filter in Antarctica?

 

No; it may seem counterintuitive, but Reid warns polarizing filters can do more damage than good on the high contrast icescapes of Antarctica, especially on overcast days. These types of filters are best for saturating greens and blues in tropical environments or toning down reflections on the surface of water.

 

 

What Are the Best Gloves for Photography in Antarctica?

 

To keep your fingers warm and safe, choose a flip-top mitten and wear thin, windproof glove liners or a fingerless glove underneath. Glacier Outdoor is a trusted brand for their excellent palm grip and tech-friendly designs.

 

Can You Use a Tripod in Antarctica?

 

Yes; lightweight travel tripods can be useful for shooting video or when using a larger lens. A monopod is a nice alternative for excursions, and it can also serve as a walking stick when navigating snowy or icy surfaces. Additionally, some guests repurpose their travel pillow by placing it between the railing and their camera to absorb the ship’s vibrations.

 

Is Drone Photography Permitted in Antarctica?

 

No; expedition ships do not allow guests to operate drones—or any Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)—due to safety concerns and potential disturbance of wildlife.

 

How Do You Protect Your Camera in Antarctica?

 

A waterproof bag is absolutely essential for keeping your gear clean, dry, and protected. Serious photographers may consider bringing two camera bodies so you don’t have to change lenses in inclement weather or risk getting debris on your sensor. It’s also smart to use lens hoods and UV filters to help protect the front lens element.

Still have questions? Send them to [email protected] and a member of the expedition photography team will be happy to help. 

 

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