The Drake Passage
February 20, 2013 | Leave a Comment
It was rumored to be a rough crossing, but the rumors were exaggerated. On a scale of 1-10, it was a 5. Once again, we got lucky. And this time, more birds followed our boat.
Our days were spent first conducting one-on-one reviews with individuals, while the rest prepared their images for the second highly anticipated component – group reviews. We were all excited to see the images others had made at the same time, in the same locations. It is always inspiring to see the diversity of perspectives represented. While some shots quite similar, some photographs were the kind you ask “Where was that? I didn’t see that!” Just looking at the images was a learning experience, for all of us. During the reviews we commented on the core strengths of each individual’s sets and offered ideas for how they could be developed further and finally presented. Participants were able to poll the group to quickly see which images made the greatest impact. Later we showed the results to our fellow voyagers who were not in our program.
We finished off the last of our fine Argentinian wines, with toasts to a great adventure and more to come. The wine has been much appreciated by our participants, some of whom brought their own contributions. It’s been a both a community builder and a true pleasure.
Find out about upcoming Antarctica digital photography workshops here.
Calm Foggy Day On The Drake
February 11, 2013 | Leave a Comment
Today the ocean was even calmer than yesterday; on a scale of 1-10, this day was a 2.
After making presentions on Shakelton, ice, and penguins the expedition staff reviewed the IAATO rules and regulations for landing for all the passengers.
In the morning I offered presentations on exposure and HDR.
In the afternoon, Seth offered presentations on importing images and managing libraries with Lightroom.
We sailed in fog all day long. I love fog. If the surface of the water were smoother, I would have made many more photographs of this mysterious backdrop. Though it may have been there, no one saw any big ice. What’s more, we couldn’t see the islands we sailed through at the end of the day. The day had a quiet way of building anticipation and we all look forward to what we have to wake up to.
Find out about upcoming Antarctica digital photography workshops here.
Quiet Day On The Drake
February 10, 2013 | Leave a Comment
Today is the calmest day I’ve ever experienced on the Drake Passage; on a scale of 1-10, this day is a 3. Quark’s expedition crew lead by Cheli seems great. We met with them to discuss our group’s needs and they seem fun, interesting, and easy to work with. The expedition staff made presentations on sea birds, sea mammals.
In the afternoon, Seth presented his seminar on creativity offering a lot of tips for working scenes visually.
At dinner we all began to enjoy our nightly tastings of fine Argentinian wines, all red, mostly Malbec.
After dinner, I presented my seminar on storytelling, emphasizing how every picture tells a story and that images presented together can complement and extend one another.
Days in transit are ideal for covering a lot of material. When the shooting gets good and days are long, there’s significantly less time for this kind of material.
I’d love to have had time to review personal goals and thinking but the days have been busy with coordinating everyone else’s needs.
Find out about upcoming Antarctica digital photography workshops here.
Drake Passage
December 8, 2011 | Leave a Comment
Two full days of rolling seas? Give me light on the water in the day, give me color on the water at twilight and dawn, give me dramatic clouds, give me white caps, give me ice – not this incessant gray.
Today I presented a seminar on dodging and burning. Seth presented a seminar on key wording.
Find out about our next Antarctica digital photography workshop here.
Sign up for the pre-announce list for our next Antarctica voyage.
Email jpc@digitalphotodestinations.com.
The Drake Passage / Barrientos Island
December 2, 2011 | Leave a Comment
Today the photography leaders presented their work offering visual introduction to the kinds of work in which they specialize, tips on how they overcame challenges, and lots of inspiration. It’s always inspiring to hear other visual artists who are at the top of their game, share their work and provide insights into what motivates them. In the arts, it seems nothing is more important than passion.
We got lucky and had an opportunity at the end of the day to make our first zodiac landing at Barrientos Island, which contains a large chinstrap penguin colony. I came in on the last zodiac and by the time we reached the shore the winds had picked up dramatically forcing our expedition crew to move the take out site to the opposite side of the island. It was a great warm up, familiarizing everyone with the routines necessary for zodiac landing and cruising.
Find out about our next Antarctica digital photography workshop here.
Sign up for the pre-announce list for our next Antarctica voyage.
Email jpc@digitalphotodestinations.com.
Crossing Into The Drake Passage
December 1, 2011 | Leave a Comment
After an evening cruise down the Beagle Channel, the rolling waves of the Drake Passage began to perform. There had been high winds for several days so we expected a rougher than average crossing. These waves were different. There were no breaking crests, no slamming of the boat, just endless incessant rolling – 40 degree rolls. Making this passage was like being rocked by an over-zealous mother. The gray skies blocked any trace of sunlight. No crests, no distinctive clouds, no light; this was one of the less picturesque crossings I’ve made. Fevers at night, daily headaches, and slight nausea put a final damper on the whole affair for me.
Find out about our next Antarctica digital photography workshop here.
Sign up for the pre-announce list for our next Antarctica voyage.
Email jpc@digitalphotodestinations.com.
Drake Passage
January 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment
More Drake. It’s gone from calm to rough. I’m sure it will change again. It’s a long stretch home filled with seminars and reviews.
Today I talked about the importance of defining a project that makes the work we do tangible and shareable. My project will be to update my Antarctica Blurb book with new images and updated text. I then handed the session off to Olaf Willoughby who talked about his Antarctica book (PDF for World Wildlife Federation and on demand print through Lulu), which he did after our first 2005 voyage, and it’s effectiveness for environmental advocacy. It’s inspiring to hear what one man can do.
See my previous post on Olaf from early this month.
See my Defining a Project PDF here.
Enjoy my Antarctica galleries, book, and statements.
Learn more about my workshops here.
Early registrants get discounts at home.
Members get discounts abroad.
Drake Passage
January 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Out into the Drake Passage once again. High seas. I’ll be looking out for weather, wind, and light on water. We present seminars between meals. Try dodging and burning in the Drake one handed with a track pad!
One of the most interesting sessions involved each of the instructors processing one of our files. The comparisons of workflow and perspective were really insightful. Seth processed one of his images in less than 2 minutes, all in Lightroom. Michael spent a little more time in Lightroom. Jeff and I started in Lightroom and moved to Photoshop. Stephen still works almost exclusively in Bridge and Photoshop. A lot of participants took away an important concept. There isn’t one right way. A workflow evolves out of the objectives of each individual. It’s my opinion that many people need more than one workflow – one high productivity and one high touch. On weekends when I photograph my family my workflow should be closer to Seth’s – so my family actually gets the images I make. On weekdays, when I’m mastering images that will last me the rest of my career, I should be taking more care and spending more time.
Enjoy my Antarctica galleries, book, and statements.
Learn more about my workshops here.
Early registrants get discounts at home.
Members get discounts abroad.
All Aboard
January 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Today was all logistics. Get last minute items. Pack and load bags. Find my cabin. Get luggage stored and tied in for a bounce across the Drake Passage. Introduction to and orientation with the Quark staff. Safety issues. Now it’s two days of bounce before the action really starts. Most people find the open ocean boring. Given the right conditions, I love it. Pray for light or wind to create a drama on an seemingly infinite stage.
Enjoy my Antarctica galleries, book, and statements.
Learn more about my workshops here.
Early registrants get discounts at home.
Members get discounts abroad.
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