The latest issue of Hong Kong Jetsetter magazine features a short interview I did with Crystal Leung for their road warrior section titled ‘The Ice Whisperer’. You can download a preview of the interview by clicking on the image below. 
Luminar Pluto is Coming…
Equipment, News and Updates, ReviewsUnless you have been living under a rock (or lost on an iceberg) you are probably already aware of MacPhun’s new photo editing software Luminar (available only for the Mac). I have been using Luminar more or less since its release as a plug in for Photoshop and have been extremely impressed with its workflow and speed (and layers support). It has already completely replaced the Nik filters in my workflow and has greatly simplified my post production work. In short, I am a pretty big fan of Luminar. If you are not yet familiar with Luminar then its well worth taking some time to check it out and download the free trial. You can run Luminar as a stand alone application; or as a plug in for Lightroom and/or Photoshop. In my own workflow I find I prefer to run it as a Photoshop Plug in; but your mileage may vary. I may do a full review on Luminar at a future date if I get the time; but if you want to get a head start there are already a great range of videos on the power of Luminar HERE. Luminar already offers touch bar support for owners of the new MacBook Pro and later this week the new Pluto update will launch (free upgrade for existing users) with additional filters and features.
Emperor Penguin Photographs – Where Are They?
Antarctica, News and Updates, Photographs, Wildlife PhotographsI have had several emails over the last couple of weeks asking me why I have not as yet (after two visits to the interior of Antarctica and the remote sea ice for Emperor Penguins) shared or posted a single photograph of an Emperor Penguin. It is a fair question (as well as an astute observation) and being completely and totally upfront I decided more than two years ago that I was not going to post a single image of an Emperor Penguin until I had completed my second trip with clients this year. I felt the clients who accompanied me on this dedicated and unique expedition deserved to have the stage and spotlight for their images first and I have been thoroughly enjoying seeing their work on social media since our return this November. Seeing their photographs has been an inspiration and a wonderful trip down memory lane of the incredible experiences we shared together in such a remote area of Antarctica whilst we camped with the Emperors. Reading their comments and thoughts on the expedition that have accompanied the photographs has been for me wonderfully fulfilling and I want to take the opportunity to thank each of the participants once again for putting their faith in me to pull off this expedition.
The second reason is more selfish in that I wanted (and needed) some time to work my way through my images with a really critical eye and heavily vet them for only those photographs I felt that were absolute stand out. This process has been (and still is ongoing) extremely time consuming. I shot over 15,000 images alone in just three days on the sea ice in blizzard conditions this year and finding the best of the best in so many is no small task. Especially when you are looking for minute gesture changes and subtle differences that take a photograph from great to extraordinary. It takes a lot of time to properly edit a shoot such as this and I find I need to live with my selections for quite a while before they make the final selection. The good news is I will soon be sharing my work from this expedition and I plan to release all of the photographs simultaneously in a new portfolio on my website at www.jholko.com. I will also have a full trip report with many behind the scenes photographs. Until then, I wanted to share another Penguin photograph – This time its Adelie Penguins riding a large piece of fluted blue ice during a heavy snowstorm in Antarctica. This was my favourite photograph from the expedition I lead to South Georgia Island and the Peninsula post the Emperor Penguin Expedition. Conditions were difficult with freezing wind and blizzard snow; but the results were well worth the cold fingers.
New Zealand South Island Masterclass Workshop Space Availability
Landscape Photographs, New Zealand, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Workshops and ExpeditionsA single place has just become available on my New Zealand South Island Masterclass workshop in May next year. The workshop runs from the 1st of May until the 12th of May and is fully inclusive of all in country transport (private 4WD’s), food, helicopter flights, tuition and more. If you are interested in travelling to New Zealand and photographing in the spectacular South Island you can register you interest in this last available place. Like the 2015, and 2016 workshops, the 2017 Masterclass workshop also includes extensive use of helicopters for accessing some of the most remote and spectacular country as well as aerial photography of the spectacular Southern Alps and glaciers. Full details of the workshop are available on my website as a PDF HERE. You can read a trip report from the 2016 Masterclass HERE.
Travel and Outdoor Photographer of the Year Finalist 2016
Africa, Antarctica, Arctic, Landscape Photographs, Media, News and Updates, Photographs, South Georgia, Travel Photography, Wildlife PhotographsOn the eve of my departure for South Georgia and the Antarctic peninsula this November I received the very exciting news that a number of my photographs had been selected for the finals in both the 2016 Travel Photographer of the Year and the 2016 Outdoor Photographer of the Year competitions. This is the fifth year in a row I have made the finals in Travel Photographer of the Year (with multiple photographs) having first entered back in 2012 and subsequently 2013, 2014 (winner in the Wild and Vibrant category) and 2015. This year I am honoured to have two photographs in the final round of judging (currently underway). I am continually inspired to enter the Travel Photographer of the Year competition as it is one of the few photographic competitions remaining today that still judge the ‘print’ rather than a compressed jpeg. I wrote several years ago of my disillusionment with so many of the photography competitions that make their judgements solely on a compressed jpeg file. The craft of producing a beautiful fine art print is one of the most enjoyable aspects of photography for me and is how I prefer to have my work viewed.
I first entered Outdoor Photographer of the Year back in 2012 and subsequently won the Spirit of Adventure category in the same year with my photograph of mountain climbers near the summit of a spectacular Antarctic peak. I went on to make the finals again in 2014 (commended in the Wildlife insight category), 2015 and now again in 2016. I am especially thrilled to have had a total of thirteen (out of fourteen entered) images shortlisted this year in the competition. I cant as yet share which images are in the final round of judging for Travel Photographer of the Year, but I look forward to doing so in the coming days.
Photo of the Month December 2016 – King Penguins on the Move
News and Updates, Photographs, South Georgia, Travel Photography, Wildlife Photographs, Workshops and ExpeditionsThis morning I returned home to Australia after two incredible back-to-back expeditions to the Emperor Penguins in a remote part of Antarctica and a South Georgia / Antarctic Peninsula expedition on board Polar Pioneer. I will have full trip reports on both expeditions in the coming weeks (once I catch up on my back log and overcome another bought of jet lag). In the meantime, I wanted to post up the belated December photograph of the month (and final image for the 2016 year). This particular photograph was taken on my South Georgia expedition last year (November 2015 – Read the Full Report) and is of King Penguins all in a row and on the march (or belly slide) to the water. It was snowing heavily when I made this photograph. What really appeals to me about this image is not just the gesture and position of the penguins, but also the abstract nature of the mountain snow patterns in the background and the monochromatic pallet. There is just the slightest hint of yellow in the Penguins to give away that this is a colour photograph. I chose the background when I was composing the photograph and made a series of images as the King Penguins moved through the scene. The photograph scored a coveted Silver with Distinction at the 2016 Australian Professional Photography Awards.
Global Arctic Photographer of the Year Special Guest Judge
Arctic, Media, Photographs, Wildlife PhotographsLate last year I was fortunate to win the 2015 Global Arctic Photographer of the Year and have subsequently been invited as special Guest Judge for the 2016 Awards. The only downside to being a judge of course is that I cant enter the awards this year! That said, I am very honoured to have been asked to judge and very much looking forward to judging this years competition. The standard of work in this competition is incredibly high and in many ways is the bench mark for how high the bar is set for Nature photographers. I cant wait to see the amazing photographs entered into the 2016 competition!
The purpose of the Global Arctic Awards – 2016 contest is to show the magnificence of the diverse North and Arctic world through photography. The contestants works represent the beautiful variety of northern nature and wildlife, depict the peculiarities of the “icy” world of the Arctic, and narrate unforgettable photo stories about the culture, life and centuries-old customs of the Northern minorities . Through the prism of photographic lenses the coldest, deeply frozen Earth regions, covered with ice and snow, will appear in a new perspective.
Greenland East Coast 2017 Expedition Announcement – Extremely Limited Availability
Arctic, Landscape Photographs, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Uncategorized, Workshops and ExpeditionsAs some of you are already aware in September and October of next year (2017), Daniel Bergmann and I are conducting two back-to-back landscape photography expeditions to the Scoresby Sund fjord system on the remote East Coast of Greenland. I have been meaning to formally announce both of these expeditions here on my blog for many months now, but have had so little studio time this year that I have just not been able to get around to it. Now, with a few sea days downtime between the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island I have been able to get all the details online and post up the trip from the ships satellite internet connection.
A few words on Greenland: Home to some of the most extraordinary geology to be found on earth, the red and orange glacial scarred landscape of Greenland stands in stark contrast to the electric blue icebergs that carve off its many glaciers and drift slowly down its precipitous fjords. It is a remote land of untamed and unbridled beauty that is rarely visited and even less rarely photographed. It is an incredible place to inspire the imagination and fuel your photographic desires.
The landscape and geology of the East Coast of Greenland is both stunning and extraordinary. Photographing this incredible landscape under soft golden Arctic light is our main objective. In fact, our entire expedition has been planned around us being on location at the best time of year for soft golden light. We will also see and photograph incredible castellated icebergs that have calved off the many glaciers of Greenland. Dramatic glaciers, plunging cliffs and beautiful drift ice formations will be present as well.
These expeditions have been more than two years in the planning and have been structured to provide the very best possible opportunities to photograph the incredible landscapes of the remote East Coast of Greenland in the Scoresbysund fjord system. With the sun low in the sky and at an oblique angle, late September and early October are the ideal times to photograph this region of the Arctic. Working during the best light of the day we will maximize our time for photography with daily shore excursions with plenty of time to scout, setup and photograph under the midnight sun.
The photographic opportunities in the Scoresbysund fjord system are limitless and we intend to take maximum advantage of our time in this area. We will use zodiacs to make daily shore excursions for contemplative landscape photography as well as utilize zodiacs for iceberg photography as we cruise amongst the icebergs and brash ice.
The Scoresbysund fjord system is home to some of the most incredible iceberg formations to be found anywhere in the world. As a result of the constant thawing and freezing of the glaciers there is an abundance of icebergs of infinite variety to be found drifting in the fjord system. Many of the icebergs are heavily castellated with electric blue cracks and fractures that are a photographers dream come true. The juxtaposition of these natural sculptures against the orange and red rock scarred landscape is not only awe inspiring in its primordial nature but completely unique. Nowhere else in the world can this combination and beauty be found on such a scale. In photographic terms the landscapes of the Scoresbysund fjord system are virgin ground. Very few expeditions venture into this area of Greenland and even fewer carry photographers.
Although our ship for these expeditions is capable of carrying up to 33 people, the maximum number of participants on these two expeditions has been capped at eighteen. By limiting the number of participants on the ship we ensure sufficient room for photography equipment, shooting positions and zodiac photography for all participants without having to compromise. It also allows us to offer many single rooms without the need for additional cost.
If you are excited by the idea of traveling to the remote East Coast of Greenland to photograph the incredible landscapes of this country with a small group of dedicated and passionate photographers now is the time to secure one of the few remaining places. Due to the initial registrations and bookings there are already only three places remaining on the first expedition and only one place on the second before both expeditions will be completley sold out. Full details including dates, costs and a detailed PDF itinerary can be downloaded from my website at www.jholko.com.
Digital Trends – Feature Interview with Polar Photographer Joshua Holko
Antarctica, Media, News and Updates, Travel Photography, Video, Wildlife PhotographsTwo days ago I returned to Punta Arenas at the bottom of South America from my expedition to photograph the world’s largest Emperor Penguin colony at Gould Bay in a very remote part of Antarctica. To date this trip represents the most complicated, most logistically difficult, and most weather dependant (as well as highest cost) trip I have ever undertaken. This was an absolutely life changing experience that I will have a full report on when I return home around the middle of December. In the meantime, I have uploaded a couple of video snippets I shot during the expedition that will give you some insight into what the expedition was like. Just click on the images below to play the videos.
I also wanted to share a recent interview I did with Digital Trends on Polar Photography, my thoughts on wildlife photography and global warming. My thanks to Bill Schiffner at Digital Trends for the interview.
During the 2016 PhotoPlus show in New York City, Digital Trends sat down with the winner of the 2015 Global Arctic Photographer of the Year award, Joshua Holko, and talked to him about how he got into photographing polar bears in the Arctic and penguins of the Antarctic (far treks from his home in warmer Australia), the effects of global warming, and his methods. Holko runs photography workshops and expeditions to some of the world’s wildest and remotest regions in both the Arctic and Antarctic.
You can read the full interview online: Digital Trends Interview with Joshua Holko
Tomorrow I am leaving South America and flying to the Falkland Islands where I will board our ship Polar Pioneer for my last expedition of the year to South Georgia Island and Antarctica – Photographers First Light. I am looking forward to sharing this expedition with all aboard and special invitees the Canon Collective. Having Canon Australia aboard for this expedition is going to be a fantastic boon for all aboard. Canon are providing access to a wide range of some of the latest professional camera equipment (including Canon EOS 1DX Mark II and 5D MKIV cameras and a wide range of Professional L series lenses) for our exclusive use in the field during the expedition. I will have no internet for the next few weeks so this will be my last planned update until I return in early December. See you in time for Christmas.
Antarctica Emperor Penguin Bound
Antarctica, Landscape Photographs, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, UncategorizedThis will be my last blog post for the next ten days or so as I just received word that after significant delays a weather window has finally opened up for our Emperor Penguin group flight to base camp at Union Glacier in Antarctica. As soon as I finish up this post I am headed to the airport for the four hour flight down to the blue ice and the deep interior of Antarctica. From basecamp at Union Glacier its another four an a half hour flight in a smaller twin otter aircraft out to the remote sea ice and the largest Emperor Penguin colony in the world.
I am really excited to be heading back to the interior of Antarctica. This rarely visited part of the continent is one of incredible beauty that very people ever get to see and experience. The bonus of photographing Emperor Penguins with a very small group (there are just five of us in total) is the icing on the very sweet cake. It has been five years since I first dreamt up the idea of taking a small group on a dedicated photographic expedition to Antarctica’s largest Emperor colony and a full three years since I first began planning this expedition. It has also been a full year since I conducted my scouting trip to the interior in preparation for this expedition. To finally be departing with a such a small dedicated group of passionate photographers is both thrilling and exciting.
A few words on logistics for this expedition as to date this trip represents the most complicated, most difficult, and most weather dependant (as well as highest cost) trip I have ever undertaken. Our flight from Punta Arenas to Union Glacier and basecamp in Antarctica is on a Russian Ilyushin aircraft. This massive cargo plane is still fitted with its jump seats (for passengers) but is also used to ferry all of the equipment needed for the expedition to Basecamp. On arrival at Union Glacier we will land on a naturally occurring blue ice runway. From our Basecamp at Union Glacier we will spend a day or so acclimatizing (temperatures at basecamp vary between -10 and -30 Celsius in the summer) and preparing our equipment before we take a smaller dedicated twin-otter aircraft on another four and half hour flight to our advance camp at Gould bay and the largest Emperor Penguin colony in the world. This camp puts us in one of the most isolated and remote locations anywhere on the planet so everything we might need in case of any eventuality or emergency has to be carried in with us. And of course, on departure, we take everything with us (even human waste) so absolutely nothing is left behind. We will spend approximately a week camping and photographing at the colony before we pack and up and reverse engineer our way back to South America.
Being this remotely isolated in Antarctica means there is no internet or cell coverage so the next update should be late November all going well. Image below of our plane having just landed on the ice at Union Glacier from last years 2015 scouting trip.
What about a Future Expedition? Some of you have already emailed me and asked if I will run this expedition again in the future. The answer at this stage is I am investigating the possibility of a second expedition in November 2018 that would combine the Emperor Penguin expedition with an optional extension for landscape photography into the interior via snow mobiles (I also scouted this last year) with the possibility of a further extension visit to the South Pole. I will post more on this should I be able to pull it all together around the middle of next year. In the meantime, if you want to be amongst the first to be notified of updates to this future expedition then its best to just register your interest with me now via email. There is no obligation at this point. 
Holko's Test 