Image report from summer trip to Svalbard 2013

This summer I once again was on Svalbard. This was my fourth trip to this arctic archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, constituting the northernmost part of Norway and midway between mainland and the North Pole. Svalbard is unique, and going there really is an experience and a memory for life, at any season, for anyone! Are you up to nature photography as well, I can tell it is every nature photographer’s paradise! The wildlife, scenery and light is spectacular!

In case you are serious about your photography and want the most out of your trip to Svalbard, where animal and bird life, nature photography, and exceptional lighting conditions are most important, then make sure you go on a trip specialized for nature photographers. For that matter I can recommend WildPhoto Travel as the most experienced company and the best travel team. Their expeditions are professional all the way. The tours are always well planned and organized, and everything is done to guarantee exceptional photo opportunities. On our trip this summer we had several amazing encounters with polar bears, arctic foxes and other wildlife and birds in breathtaking light − on ice − in both evenings, mornings and during nights as well. In addition to being knowledgeable and experienced about the Svalbard archipelago’s wildlife, Ole Jørgen Liodden and Roy Mangersnes in WildPhoto Travel also are high-end nature photographers themselves as well as warm and pleasant travel companions. I can really recommend these photo expeditions if you consider going to Svalbard.

Below you will find a selection of my images from the last trip. Please click on the images to enlarge and see them in 1400px quality. Feel free to leave your comments below if you like.

#1 Slaughters at work nearly on the top of the globe.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 14-24/2.8, 1/800 sec at f/8. +1.7 EV, ISO 1400.

#2 After eating for approximately two hours, which is the time for two hungry adult polar bears finishing a 250 kilogram´s bearded seal, the female polar bear goes away for a break.
Low wide angle picture taken from the boat operating the camera with monopod down on the ice floe. Nikon D4, Nikkor 14-24/2.8, 1/640 sec at f/8. +2 EV, ISO 3200.

#3 Polar bear in his right environment for hunting; in the pack ice.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 70-200/2.8 VR II, 1/500 sec at f/8. ISO 100.

#4 Polar bear in black and white.
Low wide angle picture taken from the boat operating the camera with monopod down on the ice floe. Nikon D4, Nikkor 14-24/2.8, 1/1250 sec at f/8. +1.7 EV, ISO 720.

#5 Polar bear in mighty landscape and challenging photo light.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 70-200/2.8 VR II, 1/1600 sec at f/11. -1/3 EV, ISO 800.

#6 Arctic fox.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/1600 sec at f/6.3. -1/3 EV, ISO 280.

#7 Arctic fox hunting common eider (ærfugl) on the ice floe.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/1600 sec at f/6.3. -1/3 EV, ISO 250.

#8 Arctic fox.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/1600 sec at f/6.3. -1/3 EV, ISO 280.

#9 Hunting arctic fox in silhouette in evening light.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/1600 sec at f/6.3. -1.7 EV, ISO 320.

#10 Glaucous gull (polarmåke) feeding on a Brünnick’s guillemot (polarlomvi).
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/1000 sec at f/8. +1/3 EV, ISO 720.

#11 A fragile Arctic Ice Duck photographed just before going around and collapsing…
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR + 1.4 converter, 1/500 sec at f/11. +2/3 EV, ISO 1100.

#12 Bearded seal (storkobbe) with almost perfect French whiskers.
Potographed with low wide angle lens from the Zodiak. Nikon D4, Nikkor 14-24/2.8, 1/1250 sec at f/11. +1/3 EV, ISO 1600.

#13 Bearded seal (storkobbe) at sunset.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 14-24/2.8, 1/1250 sec at f/11. +1/3 EV, ISO 450.

#14 Really close encounter with walrss photographed while I am laying on the beach with a 14-24mm wide angle lens. This young walrus weights “only” approximately 1,000 kg, the big guys can weight up to 1,700 kg. Nevertheless, you still have to pay attention and crawl-jump backwards when he approaches you…
Nikon D4, Nikkor 14-24/2.8, 1/640 sec at f/11. +2/3 EV, ISO 1600.

#15 Svalbard Ptarmigan.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/800 sec at f/5.6. +2/3 EV, ISO 180.

#16 Svalbard Ptarmigan.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/2000 sec at f/8. ISO 640.

#17 Svalbard Reindeers at Alkehornet.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 14-24/2.8, 1/640 sec at f/16. +1 EV, ISO 1800.

#18 Svalbard Reindeer in silhouette in evening light.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/2500 sec at f/6.3. -3 EV, ISO 100.

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