Image report from summer trip to Svalbard 2014

/12 Comments

Svalbard always gives a new experience; something rare, something special, something unexpected. In July I was on my sixth trip to the archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, and that expedition was no exception for sure. What about photographing a huge and well fed Polar Bear in God given heavy snowfall? A rare oppertunity, I have never experienced that before. Or what about under water and split photography of 1,5 tons walruses using a 14mm wide angle lens at one meter distance? Amazing!

The trip was organized by WildPhoto Travel. This was my third Svalbard expedition with them, and for wildlife and nature photographers I really recommend going with WildPhoto.

Below is a collection of photographs from the trip. The last images represent the black and white collection. Please click on the images to enlarge and leave your comments below if you like. Also feel free to follow and share my work on Facebook as well.

#1 Polar Bear on the cliff ridge in overwhelming Arctic landscape.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 70-200/2.8 VR II, 1/640 sec at f/9. ISO 640.#2 Polar Bear.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 70-200/2.8 VR II, 1/1000 sec at f/11. ISO 1800.#3 Polar Bear in heavy snowfall.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/3200 sec at f/5. ISO 4000.#4 Polar Bear.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/3200 sec at f/4. ISO 1000.

#5 Polar Bear.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/2000 sec at f/5.6. ISO 1100.

#6 Polar Bear and Glaucous Gull (polarmåke).
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/3200 sec at f/11. ISO 1800.

#7 Polar Bear.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/2000 sec at f/5.6. ISO 500.

#8 Polar Bear.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 400/2.8 VR, 1/1250 sec at f/5.6. ISO 450.

#9 Polar Bear.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/1600 sec at f/8. ISO 1250.

#10 Polar Bear.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/2000 sec at f/5.6. ISO 800.

#11 Polar Bear.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/2500 sec at f/5.6. ISO 1000.

#12 Polar Bear.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/2500 sec at f/5.6. ISO 1400.

#13 Polar Bear.
Nikon D800E, Nikkor 70-200/2.8 VR II, 1/3200 sec at f/5.6. ISO 800.

#14 Polar Bear.
Nikon D800E, Nikkor 24-70/2.8, 1/500 sec at f/8. ISO 500.

#15 Walrus.
Nikon D4s, AquaTech Delphin D4 Underwater Sport Housing, Nikkor 14-24/2.8, 1/6400 sec at f/11. ISO 2000.

#16 Walrus.
Nikon D4s, AquaTech Delphin D4 Underwater Sport Housing, Nikkor 14-24/2.8, 1/500 sec at f/8. ISO 800.

#17 Walrus.
Nikon D4s, AquaTech Delphin D4 Underwater Sport Housing, Nikkor 14-24/2.8, 1/500 sec at f/8. ISO 3200.

#18 Bearded Seal (storkobbe).
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/1000 sec at f/8. ISO 2200.

#19 Bearded Seal.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/800 sec at f/8. ISO 1800.

#20 Glaucous Gull (polarmåke).
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/3200 sec at f/5.6. ISO 1800.

#21 Arctic Fox.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/800 sec at f/5.6. ISO 560.

#22 Arctic Fox.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/800 sec at f/5.6. ISO 800.

#23 Arctic Fox.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 300/2.8 VR II, 1/1000 sec at f/8. ISO 500.

#24 Polar Bear in heavy snow.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/4000 sec at f/4.5. ISO 2800.

#25 Polar Bear in heavy snow.
Nikon D800E, Nikkor 24-70/2.8, 1/400 sec at f/8. ISO 640.

#26 Polar Bear in heavy snow.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 70-200/2.8 VR II, 1/500 sec at f/11. ISO 2500.

#27 Polar Bear.
Nikon D800E, Nikkor 24-70/2.8, 1/500 sec at f/8. ISO 500.

#28 Svalbard Reindeer.
Nikon D4s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/640 sec at f/4. ISO 2500.

 

12 replies
  1. Bjørn Lindgren says:

    Etter min mening er det som skiller deg ut fra mengden av topp fotografer nå, det poetiske blikket som går gjennom bildeserien. Har sett det tydelig før også, bl.a. i fjellrevene. Her framfor bl.a i isbjørn nr. 3, men også flere andre.
    Det er en glede å følge med på din reise.

    Bjørn

    Reply
  2. Bjørn Lindgren says:

    Etter min mening er det som skiller deg ut fra mengden av topp fotografer nå, det poetiske blikket som går gjennom bildeserien. Har sett det tydelig før også, bl.a. i fjellrevene. Her framfor bl.a i isbjørn nr. 3, men også flere andre.
    Det er en glede å følge med på din reise.

    Bjørn

    Reply
  5. Kurt Mueller says:

    magic photos Arnfinn-congratulations! It looks like you had the best and closest interactions ever with our \’friends\’ in the arctic – the polar bear, walrus, arctic fox etc.

    Reply
  6. Sanjay Ojha, IBN Tours, INDIA says:

    Hi Arnfinn
    Stunning pictures indeed !!!

    Yet again, you have proved that you are one of the best wildlife photographers.

    I feel envy though that you this was your 6th trip to Svalbard and I still with my maiden trip in 2011. I will try to plan my next trip with you to learn bit more of wildlife photography skills.

    Reply
  7. Yann says:

    Great Pictures Arnfinn ! #1 is fantastic and great close-up too. Glad to see that your beach-cleaning efforts finally paid off 😉

    Reply
  9. Arnfinn says:

    Takk for det, Svein Roger: Vi hadde 15 bjørnemøter, men enda viktigere: Ved åtte av disse var det veldig bra fotomuligheter; korte avstander, nydelig lys osv… Tidspunktet var 25.7 til 3.8, i tillegg hadde jeg et par dager i forkant på egenhånd rundt Longyearbyen.

    Reply
  10. Svein Roger Dahlen says:

    Wow, Arnfinn! Dette må være den råeste bildeserien jeg har sett fra Svalbard. Det første bilde er fantasisk. Det er forresten alle alle sammen. Hvor mange bjørnemøter hadde dere? Når var du der?
    Snakkes… Svein Roger

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *