Off To Antarctica

Returning To My Favorite Place On The Planet

Since 2015 I have been traveling to Antarctica at least once and a few times twice a year.  Words can’t describe what Antarctica is like.  I always tell the attendees on the workshops, that travel with us that a trip to Antarctica will change you.  I know it sounds like a strange thing to say but I’m sure that anyone that has traveled on any of our trips will tell you it changed them.  By the time you read this, I’ll be in Punta Arenas, Chile getting ready for the flight to King George Island.  The group I’m taking and I will be flying over the Drake on an approximately two-hour flight.  This flight saves us two and half days of sailing on what can sometimes be some of the roughest seas on the planet.  While I think the Drake Crossing is a rite of passage for those going to Antarctica there are many who think I’m crazy if they have ever done it.

This year’s trip is going south of the circle.  That means we head straight down the Antarctica coast until we cross the polar circle. I have done this trip only once before and it is a magnificent adventure.  I’m hoping to return to a few spots I know and discover places I haven’t seen before.  We will be traveling on the Ocean Nova one of my favorite ships.  I have sailed on this ship many times both in Antarctica as well as Greenland.  The Captain and Expedition leader on this adventure are friends and we have done numerous trips before.   Working closely with the Expedition Leader and captain we will plot our way to the best locations based on weather and light.

Along the way, we will see whales, seals, all types of birds, penguins, icebergs and incredible landscapes.   We’ll be doing at least two landings a day as well as zodiac and ship cruises in some of the numerous bays and channels.  We have long days this time of year so by the end of the trip there will be some tired photographers.  It’s all part of the adventure though.  After a long day, we will enjoy great meals and a terrific bar.  Each evening and during our cruises between locations, we will plenty busy downloading and editing our images.

I will be traveling from January 29th and be back in the office on February 12th.  We will have plenty of articles and videos for you to view on the site while I’m away.  Chris and Debra will keep things moving forward in my absence.  Imagine having no email and internet for 11 days.  I look forward to that.

On my return, we kick into high gear with a number of projects and more travel.  It will be a busy few months with some of the things in place and planned.  If you are interested in joining us next years trip to Antarctica then please check out our 2019 Antarctica Workshop.  I’ll have plenty of stories and images to share on my return.

A Video Tour Of The Ocean Nova

I put this video together two years ago to share with folks that were traveling with us on the Ocean Nova.  I thought you might enjoy seeing a tour of the ship.

Gear I’ll Be Using

This year I have opted to take Sony gear to Antarctica.  Last year I shot with the Fuji system with great success.   I’ll be shooting with a Sony a7r III and a9.  Weight is limited so I am going to bring 12-24mm, 24-70mm G-Master, 16-35mm G-Master and the 100-400mm G-Master.  For mostly anything I have ever photographed in Antarctica on my past trips this lens set up should be perfect.  The 100-400mm will be great for off the ship photography for whales and wildlife.  The other lenses will be perfect for onshore. I plan to do a number of wide-angle shots and really spend time with the long lens for a project I am working on called a picture in a picture.

I am carrying all this in a Tamrac Professional 27L backpack.  I can also carry my laptop as well as my iPad in this pack which makes the gear carry on to the plane quite easy. I have 7 extra batteries, lens cloths, Peak Design neck straps.  (I have BlackRapid straps packed in my luggage).  The Sony RX0 is also included.  The pack is comfortable to carry and does have a rain cover if needed. In the flap are extra SD cards, remote release, color checker and extra body and lens caps.

Please Enjoy Some Images From Last Years Trip

Kevin Raber
February 2018

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