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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Tips for Photographing Polar Bears in Canada
Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 9:06 PM on 11.06.09 |
->> This time next week i will be boarding a flight from Sydney to New York before making my way to Canada to photograph Polar bears from a Tundra Buggy some place that is too ficken cold!
I was mainly after gear tips as in keeping gear working and also what to take.
I have available to me:
1D MkII *
5D Original *
15 Fish Eye *
16-35 f2.8 *
24-70 f2.8
70-200 f2.8 *
300 f2.8 *
35 f1.4
135 f2
24 Tilt Shift
1.4 and 2x Teleconverters *
I also know a bloke who runs a rental house here who has offered me a lens of choice if i want one so any ideas what i should take (His longest lens is 100-400)
I want tips on gear to shoot both the bears and New York, im going as it was an oportunity that was too good to pass up and am not shooting for a publication specificaly but if i can shoot a wildlife or travel piece to then on sell it would be great.
I was thinking of taking the items marked with an asterix. However am not sure. |
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Isaac Ginsberg, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Seattle | WA | U.S.A | Posted: 11:24 PM on 11.06.09 |
->> I spent some months shooting in the northern arctic... Now i was using nikon... But I can offer some suggestions:
First and foremost... ITS going to be COLD... Now if you want suggestions about keeping yourself warm, shoot me an email... But for keeping your camera gear working, you will need to keep your batteries warm. (and bring extras!!!)
You will need some way of keeping your extra batteries, those that are charged, and not in your camera, warm... If they get cold, they will only last a fraction of what they should... 20-40 min... Tops... Those little disposable hand warmers, in an insulated pouch 1-2 plus your batteries, work pretty well... If you don't have a wall to plug into you can get a decent solar panel for like 100-120 US.
I dont know how you will be shooting the bears, but on the assumption that you are not tranquilizing them... thus not getting too close, I would leave the fisheye, the 24-70, 24 tilt shift, 35 f2... all just because you wont be that close...
I would leave the 135 f2 because you have that covered with 70-200 2.8, gives you the option of a zoom, and one less lens in your bag...
The tele-coverters will be a must, so you can use them with the 300/2.8 and any longer lens you are able to bring, for animals that will often be, 'just' farther away then is easy to capture, and 'just' to close to be safe...
So weight... I am assuming that you are not carrying all this on a long hike.. that you will be transporting using a 'buggy' as you say...
if thats the case I would bring both bodies, the 70-200, 300, and tele converters for the wild life shooting...
Also a tripod/mono pod will be a MUST... using the 300 2,8, with 2x.. in high winds, that are blowing your camera around is absolutely IMPSIBLe... I would suggest a tri-pod over a mono pod... It does not have to me a big one either. Plastic, or carbon over mettle. The ideal one will be able to have its legs extend out-words so the camera is almost on the ground, and you have a wide base of support on the snow, cause the little tri-pod feet will sink in anyway...
Moving on from wildlife... as to scenery... I brought my 17-55 2.8, and it wound up being the ONLY lens i used while not shooting wild life... Which is why I would bring the 16-35... I think it will be just the right lens to capture the vastness that is the tundra up there...
(by the way, for shooting in ny.. I have no clue... depends what your doing, I am not the guy to ask about that) |
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Casey Templeton, Photographer
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Richmond | VA | USA | Posted: 11:33 PM on 11.06.09 |
->> Here is what you do....
Cut a big hole in the middle of the ice. Buy a can of peas and make line leading all the way to the hole, when the polar bear goes to take a pea, kick him in in the icehole.
Sorry, I couldn't resist. |
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Max Waugh, Photographer
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Bothell | WA | USA | Posted: 12:57 AM on 11.07.09 |
->> I think you do want to have at least one wider angle lens. The polar bears up there will sometimes come up to the buggies and investigate, so you may get a close-up or two (perhaps closer than you'd like). One of the reasons the buggies are so high off the ground is because a 9 ft tall bear can reach pretty high...
The chemical hand warmer suggestion is a good one. Though you'll be inside the vehicle, I'm not sure how warm it'll be, so you may want to consider taping a couple hand-warmers to the exterior of your camera body's battery compartment (only one will fit if it's just the body, you want two on there if you're using a battery grip). You want to tape the warmers on before you get out in the cold, because otherwise the tape probably won't stick.
I like the versatility a 100-400 provides when it comes to wildlife shooting, but you'll have the 300 2.8 with the teleconverters, and then the 70-200 for a medium range zoom. Since you have two bodies I think you'd be fine with that combo and shouldn't have to worry about the 100-400.
You know your photography style and methods better than anyone, but at first glance I would say you don't need these for the bears:
35 f1.4
135 f2
24 Tilt Shift
and probably the Fisheye
NYC is something different though, so let that determine which of those you still need to bring along.
Max |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 4:48 AM on 11.07.09 |
->> Thanks for the tips, For the bears ill be way up in the buggy and apparently they do get very close at times. I have wall power so im also taking my 1D DC Power kit incase i need it to power the camera right from the wall socket.
Is there much access to Ground Zero as i would like to make a visit having been there on the day myself? |
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Jamey Price, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Charlotte | NC | USA | Posted: 9:11 AM on 11.07.09 |
| ->> This sounds like a sweet shoot. I wish I could offer suggestions but all I have is...Be safe! |
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Luis Moreira, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 10:26 AM on 11.07.09 |
->> Hi Angus,
it sounds like you'll be in a controlled environment when you head up to photograph the polar bears. That's a good thing. The temperatures you're likely to encounter this time of year could be in the -4 C during the day and -20 C at night (measured from Iqaluit) (25 F to -4 F). Compared to the 26C/79F temps you're use to, it'll feel quite cold. I've had excellent results shooting all day in below -40C/F with my Nikon D2x and I suspect that Canon's high end bodies will stand up just as well. Although, you might want to keep an eye on the non weather proofed 5D.
Michael Reichman at Luminous Landscape has written extensively regarding his experiences with his various gear in Antarctica. Here's one of his many articles below.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/antarctica-2009-worked.shtml
Enjoy your trip!
Luis |
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Joe Morahan, Photographer
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Denver | Co | USA | Posted: 2:02 PM on 11.07.09 |
| ->> bring hand warmers to keep the batteries warm (they shut down when cold) and be safe |
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Corey Perrine, Photographer
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Hudson | NH | USA | Posted: 2:33 PM on 11.07.09 |
| ->> Don't get eaten. |
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Isaac Ginsberg, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Seattle | WA | U.S.A | Posted: 2:46 PM on 11.07.09 |
| ->> oh yeah, and if you have never shot in the cold, if you shoot in the cold, and then go into a warm buggy, your gear will all fog up.. inside mirrors, all of it... so be careful of that too. |
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Ken Shelton, Photographer
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Rick Hiebert, Photographer
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Morden | Manitoba | Canada | Posted: 10:20 AM on 11.08.09 |
->> For shooting bears a tripod is useless, can't fit near the windows of the buggies. If you want a good rest, perhaps bring a bean bag or just use a small item of clothing to drape over the window ledge.
To get a good idea what you're instore for, visit this website.
http://www.tundrabuggy.com/
You'll see how the people dress, how they shoot from the buggy, different distance to the bears, etc. Under NO circumstances will you be allowed to leave the buggy.
Hand warmers are a good thing for in your pockets to warm hands, but to keep extra camera bodies and spare batteries warm, use your body. I live in Manitoba and shoot outdoors all winter, no problem. You'll dress in layers, so wear a shirt or vest close to your body with chest pockets where you'll store batteries. Your clothing should NOT be tight fitting. To warm cameras or lens just place inside your jacket and zip up.
Be careful not to breath onto your viewfinder or you'll be out of commission for a minute or two.
I always carry a large clear plastic bag in my pocket, large enough to hold my camera. Before I go into my house, I let cold air into the bag, place my camera/lens inside, twist tie it shut. Now camera/lens will warm slowly inside and you'll get no condensation forming. Don't open until it's reached room temp.
Clothing: The most important item is a toque. You loose most of your body heat from your head. Cold feet: Wear loose fitting boots so you can wear 2 layers of socks (outer wool) and still not cramp your feet.
Good luck, and don't forget about asking a local to take you out to shoot ptarmigan. |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Max Waugh, Photographer
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Bothell | WA | USA | Posted: 8:13 PM on 11.25.09 |
->> Looks like a successful trip to me. I love the first shot... wonderful perspective.
Max |
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Jeff Martin, Photographer
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wellington | OH | usa | Posted: 9:14 PM on 11.25.09 |
| ->> Where's the Coca-Cola and Al Gore? |
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Dave Chidley, Photographer
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London | Ontario | Canada | Posted: 9:43 PM on 11.25.09 |
->> Hi Angus, sorry I didn't see your first posting before your trip, I have been to Churchill and could have given you some tips.
My first bit of advice would have been to PRAY FOR A CLEAR DAY AND PRAY REALLY HARD FOR SOME SUN. It looks like you were very lucky and must have done some praying in advance.
Many shooters spend weeks and months in Churchill, and I have seen some great work, but often the results are much poorer than your shots (because of the conditions). You were VERY fortunate to have the weather and the cubs you did. Great shots!
The biggest gamble in going to Churchill or anyplace that far north at this time of year is the unpredictability. You could have easily had near zero visibility.
So if anyone else is considering the journey it's an expensive trip involving a big gamble, but if you are lucky like Angus the rewards are there, just look at his shots!
Hope you enjoyed your time in the Great White North. |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 10:27 PM on 11.25.09 |
| ->> I am still up here and these are just a quick grab of shots i did to email to some people and still havent even looked at 2 days work. Speaking to lots of people who have been many years this years conditions where amazing for photography. |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 11:07 PM on 11.25.09 |
| ->> Don't really have anything to add other then Casey, that was fricken funny |
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Dave Chidley, Photographer
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London | Ontario | Canada | Posted: 12:31 AM on 11.26.09 |
->> Oh great you are still in Churchill! I think you already eluded to what would have been my next bit of advice. Ask lots of questions, there are photographers who return to Churchill year after year! So there is a lot of knowledge to be gained by simply asking. It's a very small place, about 1,000 people so it's easy to link up and listen.
Other than that Corey's advice is good. I was there on Halloween night (years ago) and a huge effort is made to keep the kids safe. Bears do walk into town. Keep your eyes and ears open if you are going out early or late. We also had salmon sandwiches on the Tundra Buggy. The bears could smell us for miles! Too funny for sure, you could see their noses perk up as we approached. |
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David M. Russell, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 7:50 AM on 11.26.09 |
| ->> Remember: You don't have to run faster than the bear. You only have to run faster than your friends. |
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Colin Heyburn, Photographer
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ARMAGH | NI | United Kingdom | Posted: 3:10 PM on 11.27.09 |
| ->> You were obviously not eaten. Nice pics and many thanks for sharing. |
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Robert Benson, Photographer
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San Diego | Ca | USA | Posted: 4:28 PM on 11.27.09 |
->> Does anyone know how much a polar bear weighs?????
(enough to break the ice!) |
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