YOUR HOSTS
Gerry van der Walt
Having first stepped foot in Svalbard 12 years ago, I still find myself captivated by its raw beauty and endless photographic possibilities. Whether I'm leading photo expeditions or taking part in private expeditions through this Arctic wonderland, my passion for this extraordinary place only grows stronger with each visit. The unique blend of adventure and creative opportunity makes Svalbard truly exceptional - there's simply nowhere else quite like it. It's a true privilege to share this corner of the world with our guests and by joining Andrew and myself, you'll not only develop your photography skills but also gain a deep appreciation for one of the planet's most remarkable destinations. I'm confident that like me, you'll find yourself drawn back to these Arctic shores time and time again.
Andrew Beck
In 2014, I had the incredible opportunity to explore Svalbard, an Arctic wilderness unlike any other. What struck me most was the immersive nature of the experience—constantly being "in" the environment meant that unique and compelling photo opportunities were always within reach, often requiring a creative, outside-the-box approach. While polar bears are undoubtedly iconic, Svalbard offered so much more, from dynamic landscapes and diverse wildlife to the interplay of light and texture that transformed every moment into a photographic canvas. The relaxed pace of the expedition also stood out, providing time to truly absorb and connect with the surroundings—something I’ve not experienced on any other safari I’ve hosted. I’m super excited to be afforded the opportunity to return with Gerry for the 10th edition of this expedition!
YOUR HOME ON THE WATER
The M/S Stockholm
The M/S Stockholm is a classic Arctic expedition vessel, originally built in 1953 and refitted in 1998 for polar exploration. With a capacity for just 12 passengers, it offers an intimate and exclusive experience, featuring cozy twin cabins with private facilities and porthole windows. Known for its historical charm, brass details, and wooden decks, the ship is celebrated for its ability to access remote Arctic locations that larger vessels cannot reach.
While Svalbard's new environmental regulations take effect January 1, 2025, we don’t believe that this will impact the incredible photographic experiences we have in store for our Wild Eye guests. Yes, we'll respect the updated guidelines on wildlife distances and protected areas - but trust us, Svalbard's magic runs deep and wide. Our intimate knowledge of this Arctic realm ensures you'll return home with memory cards full of breathtaking images and stories to tell.
DAILY PHOTOGRAPHIC THEMES
Under the expert guidance of your hosts and photo guides, for the 10th Edition Expedition, each day will introduce the group and yourself to a new photographic theme. Helping you grow as an artist and photographer.
ABSTRACT EXTRACTS
We will explore the Arctic’s intricate details, helping you isolate and capture textures, patterns, and forms. Together, we’ll photograph glacial textures, sea ice patterns, and frozen waterfalls, using macro techniques and tight framing. We’ll coach you on finding abstract compositions in fog banks, snow squalls, and storm fronts, emphasizing techniques like leading lines, symmetry, and negative space.
CONTRAST
We’ll guide you through mastering the interplay of light and shadow to create striking images. You’ll capture the Arctic's unique light conditions, from the low-angle glow of the midnight sun to the soft tones of the blue hour. Together, we’ll work on using scale and perspective, such as humans or ships set against massive glaciers, and refine your approach to balancing highlights and shadows in challenging lighting conditions.
MOVEMENT
We will teach you how to convey motion and energy in your photographs. Using techniques like panning and fast shutter speeds, we’ll capture dramatic scenes such as calving glaciers, rushing meltwater, and seabirds in flight. You’ll also learn to use weather phenomena like drifting fog or snow squalls to add drama and flow to your images.
SCALE
We’ll focus on creating impactful compositions that highlight the immense scale of the Arctic. You’ll learn to use wide-angle lenses for expansive views and telephoto lenses to compress distances, emphasizing the contrast between vast landscapes and smaller elements like ships or humans. Together, we’ll capture towering cliffs, fjords, and seabird colonies to showcase the grandeur of Svalbard.
MINIMALISM
We’ll help you create clean, uncluttered compositions that highlight the Arctic’s stark beauty. By focusing on single subjects like isolated pieces of pack ice or reflections in fjords, you’ll learn to use negative space and monochrome techniques effectively. We’ll guide you in identifying strong lines, simple shapes, and balanced compositions to achieve a minimalist aesthetic.
SHIP LIFE
We will work together to document life onboard and the unique environment of the Arctic expedition. You’ll capture candid moments, working boats in icy waters, and the contrast between human activity and the surrounding wilderness. We’ll also coach you on using indoor low-light photography and framing techniques to integrate the ship with its Arctic surroundings.
SMARTPHONE ONLY
Along with our local expedition leader Beau Pruneau, we will help you maximize the capabilities of your iPhone to capture the Arctic’s beauty. Together, we’ll experiment with features like HDR for high-contrast scenes, portrait mode for isolating subjects, and macro modes for close-up details like ice crystals. We’ll show you how to compose and edit directly on your device to make the most of your smartphone photography in varying conditions. This element will run throughout the expedition making it perfect for that “non-photographic partner’ who may just want to experience the Arctic with a great bunch of people!
INCLUDED, EXCLUDED AND MORE INFORMATION
- 1 night accommodation in Longyearbyen, incl dinner, bed and breakfast, pre expedition
- 10 nights M/S Stockholm (All accommodation in a shared cabin sleeping 2 people )
- All meals & drinks on board the vessel
- Daily activities including lectures and excursions
- Two Wild Eye expedition leaders
- Two Polar Quest guides
- Transfer from the Polfaren Hotel to the ship on day 2 and from the ship to Polfaren Hotel on the final day of the expedition
- All international flights arriving into & departing from Svalbard
- Drinks in Longyearbyen
- Transfer to your hotel on day 1 and from the hotel to the airport on the final day in order to accommodate variations in arrival and departure times. Wild Eye will assist in arranging these for you
- Post Accommodation in Longyearbyen
- All VISA costs
- Gratuities
- Any polar gear or clothing required for the expedition
- Items of a personal nature
- A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking outside of our Early Bird promotions.
- Credit card payments are accepted via a secure link shared by our finance team.
- Direct deposits and EFT/wire payments qualify for a discounted rate.
LEARN ABOUT OUR PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS
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