How to Photograph the Polar Regions

"I first travelled to Antarctica more than two decades ago, and it remains one of the most exciting places I have ever photographed. No two days - or even two hours - are the same. Light moves across the ice, wildlife appears when you least expect it and conditions can transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. 

That unpredictability is also what makes photographing the polar regions challenging. You need to be ready when a moment unfolds, while respecting the wildlife and environment you have travelled so far to experience. 

The good news is that you don't need the most expensive camera or an enormous collection of lenses. Whether you use a smartphone, compact camera or professional system, preparation, patience and an understanding of your subject will make the greatest difference."

Aurora Expeditions' dedicated Through the Lens photography voyages are designed for photographers of all abilities. You might be learning how to move beyond your camera's automatic settings or refining techniques you have practiced for years. 

Photography Guides provide presentations and practical guidance covering camera settings, composition, wildlife photography and working with changing light. Just as importantly, they join you in the field, where advice can be applied to the conditions and subjects directly in front of you. 

With one professional photographer for every eight expeditioners, smaller Zodiac groups and extended time in the field, you’ll have more opportunities to capture extraordinary landscapes and wildlife. 

My own equipment changes depending on the destination and the wildlife I expect to encounter. The most important consideration is choosing equipment you can carry comfortably and operate quickly.

A simple and versatile kit will be enough for most expeditioners:

You don't need to carry all of these. For many travellers, one camera and a versatile zoom lens is the best combination. The lighter your kit, the easier it is to move safely and respond quickly.

Learn to Anticipate Behaviour 

The best wildlife photographs often happen just before the obvious moment. Watch how an animal moves and responds to its surroundings. A penguin leaning forward may be preparing to jump, while a whale changing direction or arching its back may be about to dive. Understanding behaviour helps you anticipate the image rather than react after it has happened. 

Prepare Before You Leave The Ship

Check your battery, memory card and basic camera settings before every excursion. Conditions can change quickly, and wildlife will not wait while you search through a menu. I usually begin with settings that suit the expected conditions, then adjust once I am in the field. 

Use a Fast Shutter Speed 

Ships, Zodiacs and wildlife can all be moving simultaneously. A faster shutter speed will give you a better chance of producing a sharp image, particularly when photographing birds in flight or animals moving through the water. 

Show the Environment 

A close wildlife portrait can be powerful, but don't overlook the wider scene. An animal surrounded by sea ice, mountains or ocean can tell a stronger story about where it lives. 

Photograph the Light, Not only the Subject 

Polar light can transform familiar scenes. Watch for reflections, mist, backlighting and the subtle colours within snow and ice. Sometimes the most compelling photograph isn't the closest wildlife encounter - it is the moment when light, landscape and subject come together. 

Give your Subject Room to Move 

When photographing a moving animal, leave space in front of it. This gives the image a sense of direction and makes the composition feel less restricted. 

Put Wildlife First

No photograph is worth disrupting an animal's natural behaviour. Always follow the guidance of the Expedition Team, maintain required distances and never attempt to attract or reposition wildlife for an image. Often, the best encounters happen when you remain still, patient and unobtrusive. 

Spray, salt, snow and condensation are the main challenges in polar environments. Keep a lens cloth accessible and protect your equipment during Zodiac journeys, even when conditions appear calm. 

When moving between cold outdoor conditions and the warm ship interior, leave your camera inside its bag temporarily so it can warm gradually. This can help reduce condensation forming on and inside the equipment. 

In Antarctica, strict biosecurity procedures apply. Bags and photography equipment may need to remain off the ground at landing sites, so a well-fitted harness or strap is particularly useful. Always follow the Expedition Team's instructions. 

Drone use is restricted across many of Aurora Expeditions' destinations and is not generally permitted without prior authorisation. Check the relevant rules before packing one. 

Photography can help you observe a place more closely, but it can also become a barrier if you experience the entire journey through a viewfinder. 

Take the photograph, then lower the camera. Watch how a penguin colony moves, listen to the sound of the ice or simply appreciate the scale of the landscape. Those moments will influence the way you photograph - and they are often the ones you remember most clearly. 

A photography expedition is not only about returning home with more images. It is an opportunity to understand your equipment, become more observant and learn how to tell better stories about wildlife and the natural world. 

Explore Aurora Expeditions' photography-focused voyages and discover where your camera could take you next.