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Antarctica is a very special place. It is somewhere I had wanted to visit since I saw David Attenborough there on the BBC speaking about leopard seals when I was 8. For me it is the pinnacle of photographic and nature adventures. My dream came true in February 2022 and it far exceeded my expectations.

As a photographer, I don’t have to tell you that Antarctica is the holy grail. You really can’t find a better place on earth to capture the strange and exquisite landscapes that we’ll find there. Not to mention an abundance of deep blue, glassy icebergs in every shape.

Once again I will be joined by a host of amazing landscape photographers that you will probably also know from YouTube and Instagram. Joining myself, James Popsys and Mads Peter Iversen are a host of amazing expert photographers in wildlife and landscapes. Mads didn’t quite make 2022 and ended up stuck in Santiago so this time we will be ensuring he is at the front of the queue.

We will be taking the whole ship as a group of around 100 guests and we have 9 professional photographers (go and check them all out below as their work is incredible) to ensure there is a good ratio of guests to pro photographers. This really will be a unique experience and I am as excited for the photography conversations we can have on board as I am for the landscape and wildlife.

We will be travelling around Antarctica on the Silvia Earle which is an incredible new ship as you will see from the images. Everything about the ship and the team at AE Expeditions is focused on getting the most out of the days we have there exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.

Also we will be flying there and back to ensure we get the most out of the 12 day trip actually in Antarctica. A lot of voyages go both ways on the ship but then miss out on the time photographing the amazing landscape and wildlife.

There will be opportunities to spend time with myself and all the amazing professional photographers throughout the voyage, whilst making landings, Zodiac cruising and open theatre presentations onboard the ship. We will have a full schedule of tutorials, inspirational talks and editing sessions for the full voyage. There will also be time during meals to address specific questions.

Whilst cruising around on the ship and zodiacs we will experience the chance to photograph many different types of penguin, seals, whales, orcas and sea birds as well as the incredible scenery found around these amazing passages through the peninsula.

We will aim to land on the Peninsular every day and photograph the landscape and wildlife up close as well. Although with Antarctica, nature remains very much in charge and our plans are always subject to weather conditions.

Take your best shots every time – learn from the world’s best

We are offering an incredible opportunity for photographers and videographers of any skill level to pick up life-long technical and creative photographic tips from world-class photographers.

Leave with more than just memories and secure an exclusive group saving of 10%* off the Antarctic Explorer expedition in 2024.

Learn how to set up your camera, improve your composition and hone your craft no matter what camera gear you have, with informal tuition onboard or during landings and excursions

Journey on the Sylvia Earle, which features the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®, this allows the ship to cross oceans more comfortably and efficiently, and with expansive observation decks to bring you closer to the environment – offering the perfect base camp for photographers.

Join a group of around 30 like-minded passengers and save, with Balcony Stateroom Category C from $16,645pp (USD) twin share*!

Reminder to quote Danson Photography Workshop.

Nigel Danson

Nigel Danson

Nigel Danson is a YouTube creator and landscape photographer. Being dyslexic, photography had a profound impact on Nigel’s early life, when he uncovered the joys of developing images in a makeshift darkroom. He discovered his love of light and how it could create infinite possibilities of what was otherwise a static landscape. Nigel’s philosophy is to seize the moment, to capture the essence of his experiences. He runs workshops all over the world to share his knowledge and passion for landscape photography.

James Popsys is a British Outdoor Photographer and Youtuber who lives in Snowdonia, Wales. Before YouTube he worked as a commercial conceptual photographer but being a firm believer that all the best stuff in life happens outdoors, he spent most of 2016/17 searching high and low for ways to spend less of his life at a desk. James is drawn to documenting nature but also the human impact on it, for better and for worse. It’s a passion he loves to share on his YouTube channel, as well as in person running workshops around the world.

Mads Peter Iversen, a photographer living in Denmark. An educated schoolteacher with a master degree in educational philosophy. After trying out other photography genres, such as headshot photography and commercial videography with great success, I’ve settled on fine art landscape pictures. I started out as a photographer in 2011 and my experience with video editing goes back to 2002. Mads finds inspiration all over the world but he’s especially drawn to the nordic, cold and harsh yet stunningly beautiful nature.

Adam has been a professional photographer since 1991, where his passion for rock climbing and the outdoor lifestyle led him to photograph the landscape and wild places throughout North America. With thousands of images published in periodicals across North America, Adam has won numerous prestigious awards including The International Landscape Photographer of the Year in 2018. Recently, he’s taken up videography and now runs a successful YouTube channel that shares photography tips and follows his adventuress.

Alyn Wallace is a landscape astrophotographer based near the Brecon Beacons in Wales. He is on a quest to explore the world and capture the darkest skies and most otherworldly landscapes and to share his starlit adventures on YouTube for all to join along. With a background in physics, astronomy and engineering, photography has allowed Alyn to channel all of his technical abilities and portray them in an artistic and inspiring way.

Dani is a wildlife photographer and content creator. She shares her journey photographing wildlife through Youtube videos. Dani’s career kickstarted two years ago in Sweden whilst photographing the local red squirrels. After some squirrel sound recordings went viral, she gained an audience on social media that allowed her to focus on photography full time. 

Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove

Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove is an award-winning Belgian landscape and wildlife photographer. In 2016, he threw his life upside down and moved to Iceland. The past years, he dedicated most of his photography to documenting the Central Highlands and volcanic eruptions in Iceland. Most recently, he has received international attention for his dedication and work at the Fagradalsfjall eruptions. He even self-published a book covering the events of the Geldingadalir eruption from day one.

Rachel Bigsby

Rachel Bigsby is a leading, professional wildlife photographer and Nikon Creator. She is best known for her work with seabirds, for the RSPB and publications in National Geographic. Rachel was recently awarded highly commended in the prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year awards, and selected as a finalist in the BBC Countryfile Calendar.

Rick is a Filmmaker and Photographer based in England. Rick has spent the last few years producing corporate videos for large brands whilst maintaining a keen interest in landscape photography. He now works alongside Nigel to create video content for YouTube, whilst making videos for his own YouTube channel.

Reminder to quote Danson Photography Workshop.

Gallery

Antarctic Explorer

Departing 16 February 2024 | 12 Days | Fly/Fly

Early Antarctic explorers returned from their voyages to the deep south with tales of a magnificent, ice-covered land teeming with life. Experience the awe-inspiring immensity of Antarctica yourself, reducing your time on the high seas by flying across the Drake in both directions. Immerse yourself in the unimaginable beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula, where vast glaciers tumble into the sea, penguins are dwarfed by soaring peaks and humpback and minke whales feast on abundant krill.  

Highlights

  • Witness extraordinary wildlife including penguin chicks moulting.
  • Zodiac cruise in secluded bays and quiet coves filled with brash ice and photograph enormous glaciers and spectacularly shaped icebergs in various shades of blue.

This expedition offers a Fly/Fly option, meaning you can skip days at sea, optimising your time in Antarctica and avoid the treacherous Drake Passage (for those who are prone to sea sickness!).

Itinerary

Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of AE Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with AE Expeditions cabin tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number.  

Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world’s most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile’s rich history. 

At approximately 6.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing. Afterwards, there’s free time to enjoy the local cuisine at one of Punta Arenas’s many restaurants. (Dinner not included).  

Accommodation: Hotel Cabo de Hornos (or similar) 

This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one-and-a-half hours. 

On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you for your Zodiac transfer to board the vessel. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings.  

Note:  King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. We apologise in advance for any delays.  

It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.  

The western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.  

Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. 

We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You’ll want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.  

While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you’ll have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters – conditions permitting! 

In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea, and take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent. 

As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and our amazing adventure before boarding our return flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. On arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our group hotel.  

After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature (breakfast included). A transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare 

Note: In the spirit of expedition travel, we encourage exploration and adventure offering flexibility in challenging environments. This itinerary is only a guide and is subject to change due to weather, sea, pack-ice and other conditions beyond our control.  

Inclusions

  • All airport transfers
  • Two night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Punta Arenas (days 1 & 11)
  • Return flight Punta Arenas to King George Island (days 2 & 11)
  • On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
  • All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
  • Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
  • Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages 
  • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
  • Educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team
  • Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
  • A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
  • Complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage 
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information
  • Port surcharges, permits and landing fees 

Exclusions

  • International or domestic flights to or within South America, unless specified
  • Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination charges
  • Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
  • Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
  • Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
  • Optional activity surcharges
  • All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
  • Gratuities for ship crew

Note: Gratuities are on a discretionary basis – they will be added to your account at the end of each voyage at a rate of US $15 per person per day, however, you will have the ability to ‘opt out’ should you choose to.

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Pre-Register for this Voyage

By completing this form, I agree to sharing my contact details with the Photographers named on this voyage.

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