As some of you may already be aware (those of you joining me on my Antarctica White Nature Expedition next year) I was recently invited to join the Penguin World Project as one of the project photographers. In brief, the Penguin world project focuses on conservation of our marine ecosystem and aims to help spread awareness of the rapidly deteriorating health of the world’s oceans. Penguin World believes penguins are the best Ambassadors to address conservation issues and challenges for the oceans marine life. For communicating the message Penguin World are publishing books, articles and arranging expeditions, exhibitions and events worldwide to drive urgently needed attention to these important conservation topics. Being asked to be a part of the Penguin World Project as part of a small select team is a great honour and more importantly a fantastic opportunity. I have long wanted to push my efforts and photography more into conservation and I am looking forward to working actively in the project over the coming months. The project also wants to work closely with Partners who want to join forces for a better future for our marine ecosystem. You can read more about Penguin World at the Penguin World Website. I urge you to consider donating to Penguin World. Every small contribution helps. Even $5 (the cost of a cup of coffee) is helpful and appreciated. No one is paid for their involvement in Penguin World and all donations are used to help meet the projects aims and objectives. Donating is only one way to become involved in the project; even spreading the word helps! If you would like to be kept up to date on the progress of the Penguin World Project you can sign up for the Penguin World Newsletter.
The Mission
Our MISSION is to draw the world’s attention to the importance of, and threats to, our marine ecosystems. Penguins are the perfect ambassadors for communicating about the 18 most serious conservation issues. Adopting a positive and proactive approach to tackling some of the biggest issues, we aim to involve scientists, academics and global companies that have established social responsibility and environmental strategies.
Our VISION is a future with healthy and vibrant oceans. To achieve this, we want to share solutions for more sustainable fisheries, safe seafood, cleaner waters and thriving marine life.
Conservation
On our beautiful blue planet, the sea covers more than 70% of the surface. But the world’s oceans are suffering from pollution, unsustainable fishing, habitat destruction and climate change. How do human activities affect our oceans and what technological innovations, management changes and political agreements will resolve these issues?
Communication
Photography and film are powerful tools to communicate about the conservation issues penguins are facing and outline possible solutions. Some of the world’s finest nature photographers are currently undertaking expeditions to remote islands and areas in the Southern Hemisphere to capture the images to share these stories.
Why Penguins?
Penguins are perfect ambassadors for the conservation of our seas. They eat the same fish species as us, move around upright and have a complex social life, in which we can see a reflection of our own. They are funny and cute, and they speak to us on an emotional level. They are a living barometer of how marine conditions are changing.
Watch 
Watch a short excerpt from the making of Melrakki on Vimeo
This masterclass landscape workshop was about maximising our time photographing in some of the most spectacular parts of New Zealand. Our small group size of just six photographers provided us a really small intimate group that enabled us to put in some long hours in the field in some of the most spectacular parts of the South Island. The workshop ran for 12 days (11 nights) with an optional four day extension and we stayed in good hotels which were functional and clean. We travelled by private 4-wheel drive vehicles. We utilised several primary locations as bases from which we travelled to each shooting location. We had a good mix of weather and light during the workshop and although we encountered some rain in the Fox Glacier area we were still able to maximise our opportunities with some extraordinary light and conditions. We also managed all three of our planned aerial shoots from helicopter, despite some touch and go weather. Helicopters and aerial photography really add an extra dimension to photography in New Zealand’s South Island. The ability to quickly get up into the mountains to take advantage of weather and light is a significant advantage.
I wrote quite an extensive report on our South Island masterclass workshop last year (read the 
Another early start as we made for the North-west coast, which is completely different to the coastal scenery we had been photographing. Characterised by dramatic sea cliffs and imposing rock formations, there are also intimate lake and tidal inlet scenes so we were kept busy for the whole day in this unique location. We returned to our lodge in the evening.
We departed early this morning for the drive back to Christchurch. This was a full day on the road and we stopped along the way to photograph forest, country and mountain scenery as we took the Lewis Pass route south. We arrived into Christchurch in the early evening and enjoy a relaxed dinner to conclude our workshop.
Holko's Test 