Close Menu
RiderTourist
  • Home
  • Flights
  • Hotels
  • Tours
  • Car Rentals
  • Taxi
  • eSIM
  • Blog
    • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Vacations
    • Adventure
Our Posts
Travel

5 Fashion Hacks to Instantly Boost Your Confidence – Beauty That Walks

Adventure

12 Best Hikes Near Nashville, Tennessee

Destinations

The 21 Ultimate Things To Do In Tulum

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

Important Pages:
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
RiderTourist
  • Home
  • Flights
  • Hotels
  • Tours
  • Car Rentals
  • Taxi
  • eSIM
Blog
RiderTourist
Blog
Home » Antarctica Photography – 8 Easy Tips and Tricks
Culture March 27, 2025

Antarctica Photography – 8 Easy Tips and Tricks

Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp
Antarctica Photography – 8 Easy Tips and Tricks
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp

Antarctica Cruise season is in full swing and if you are one of the lucky few to check the 7th continent off of your bucket list, you are going to want to create lasting memories of this trip of a lifetime.

These Antarctica photography tips can help you capture those images.

We’ve been fortunate to witness the majesty of Antarctica and have had the honour of having our photographs featured in the Quark Expeditions brochure and in many other magazines and features including the Lonely Planet and the Toronto Star.

antarctica photography tipsantarctica photography tips
These Antarctica photography tips can help you get images like this

There are several photography tips for travel and landscape captures, but Antarctica photography is an entirely different beast.

There are many elements to deal with from cold and damp weather, extreme climate changes, unstable shooting environments, and having to be ready to capture a spectacular scene at a moment’s notice.

Antarctica photography can be intimidating, but if you follow a few of my tips, you’ll be sure to come home with frame-worthy pictures that will be a conversation piece for the rest of your life.

Antarctica Photography – 8 Easy Tips and Tricks

Antarctica Photography TipsAntarctica Photography Tips
Antarctica Photography Tips for great photos

Giant ZipLock Freezer Bags

This may seem like an odd tip to be number one, but this inexpensive item will keep your camera gear safe from breaking down partway through your Antarctica Cruise.

Condensation ruins cameras.After a few hours outside your camera gets really cold, I used really large ziplock bags to put all my gear in before I went back inside the ship.

This allowed the cameras to warm up at their own speed without forming condensation. Make sure to put the camera in the bag and zip it up before going inside and dispel all of the air out of them. Your camera will thank you.

Bring 2 Camera Bodies

The last thing you want to do is change lenses outside in the elements.

So be prepared for any situation with your 2 lenses of choice mounted on 2 separate bodies. I used Canon 5D MKII and Canon rebel T4i. That way I could shoot the massive landscape scenery, but quickly change cameras to capture a whale that unexpectedly surfaces or a penguin off in the distance.

Want to travel the world? Read How to Start a Travel Blog in 10 Easy Steps

Bracket your shots

Antarctica Photography TipsAntarctica Photography Tips
Antarctica Photography Tip: Bracket your shots to help capture the right exposure and white balance.

Getting the right exposure in snowy locations can be tricky. Usually your cameras meter has a hard time reading snow and this can lead to the dreaded “grey snow” effect. In order to avoid this situation try bracketing your exposures.

Usually, 3 or 5 brackets at an interval of 1 to 2 stops will cover you so that you can get that crisp white snow. If you are unfamiliar with this process try and use your cameras spot meter. It will give you a more accurate reading.

Think of showing Scale

Antarctica Photography TipsAntarctica Photography Tips
Antarctica Photography Tip: Show Scale.

With large icebergs and massive land formations showing a sense of scale can really give the viewer a sense of what it is like to be there.

By placing kayaks, people, or wildlife in the frame it will help to translate the sheer size of the environment you are in. You can also use the ship or zodiac to relay this information.

This shot with the seal and the ship in the background really gives you a sense of how large those surrounding icebergs really are.

Buy now button with a shopping cart on white background.Buy now button with a shopping cart on white background.

Buy what I think is the best landscape photography tutorial ever and read my review here

Get down low to photograph penguins

Antarctica Photography TipsAntarctica Photography Tips
Antarctica Photography Tip: Get low to photograph penguins

You are going to see so many penguins that finding an interesting way to photograph them can be difficult. I found that getting as low as you can and placing them against the background works really well.

Most people use a long lens to accomplish this but if you are patient enough and let them come to you then you are able to use your wide lens and capture more of the surrounding area and give the viewer a sense of place. This is a perfect example of that where I was down on my stomach with a 16-35mm lens.

Bring a dry bag

Antarctica Photography tipsAntarctica Photography tips
Antarctica Photography tip: Bring a dry bag. You could face all kinds of conditions

Protecting your gear from the elements is imperative especially in Antarctica where the weather can change in an instant.

I remember heading out on the zodiac when the sun was shining and 45 minutes later it was snowing and then that turned to rain. Combine that with the saltwater and it can ruin your camera.

I made sure to bring a dry bag to store all my gear when I was on the Zodiac but also had my cameras in an Op/Tech rain sleeve which are very cheap and do the job. If you can’t find those then a Ziplock bag with a hole cut in it would do in a pinch.

Know your settings

Antarctica Photography tipsAntarctica Photography tips
Antarctica Photography tip: Know your settings. You don’t want to miss shots like this.

A little trick I always do is take some test shots in the environment I am in before the action starts.

This means that while you are on the zodiac heading out for the day and before the humpback whales start surfacing, make sure you have your camera on the right settings.

I used shutter priority mode at 1/200th of second or faster if I was shooting from the Zodiac or Kayak and used Aperture Priority mode when I was on land. The last thing you want to do is have that humpback whale show his fluke in front of an iceberg and the shot be blurry.

Knowing your camera and how to use it in different situations will help you bring back the best shots possible.

Bring Filters

Antarctica Photography TipsAntarctica Photography Tips
Antarctica Photography Tip: Bring Filters

I do recommend bringing 2 types of filters. A UV filter to protect the front of your lens from the elements and a polarizing filter which will help reduce glare on the water and can help saturate the colors as well.

A word of warning is to make sure you know when and when not to use the polarizer. It can really over-saturate the sky if you are not careful and give an unrealistic look to your photos. So, test out how you are going to use it before you leave.

That should do it. These Antarctica photography tips not only helped me capture some great images but they have also helped me keep my camera safe when we are in all kinds of different weather situations.

Do you have any tips for polar travel photography? Share them in the comments below.

Planning Resources for Antarctica

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO. 

Learn a Language: We recommend and love both Rosetta Stone and Babbel. 

Travel Insurance: Don’t leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

  • Safety Wing – Occasional Travelers.
  • Medjet – Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp
Previous Article10 Best Things to Do in San Teodoro, Italy
Next Article Slovenia Travel Guide: Road Trip from the Alps to the Adriatic

Related Posts

Culture

16 Amazing Instagram Travel Photographers

Culture

The Best Landscape Photography Tutorial Ever

Culture

7 Tips to Make the Most of your New York City Photography

Culture

The Best iPhone Photo Apps to Help You Shoot Like a Pro

Culture

10 Landscape Photography Tips Guaranteed to Improve Your Photos

Culture

Travel Photography Gear Guide: What’s in my Camera Bag?

Culture

Best City Skylines in the World

Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
Categories
  • Adventure (34)
  • Culture (8)
  • Destinations (80)
  • Travel (81)
  • Vacations (34)
Top Posts
Travel
Travel June 2, 2025

10 Stunning UK Locations That Feel Like Abroad (and how to get there) – Blog

Want to escape the UK without actually leaving for a Holiday! We’ve got you covered!…

10 Best Luxury River Cruise Lines on Earth

April 25, 2025

Royal Caribbean Spotlights New Entertainment And Dining Experiences On Star of the Seas

May 11, 2025

9 Spectacular Hikes In Los Angeles

March 28, 2025

10 Most Dangerous Train Routes on Earth

June 1, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get The Latest News, Updates, And Amazing Offers

Search and compare prices from hundreds of travel providers with one easy search. With our advanced search technology, you’ll find the best prices on hotels, flights, and much more.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
Main Menu:
  • Home
  • Flights
  • Hotels
  • Tours
  • Car Rentals
  • Taxi
  • eSIM
Blog Categories
  • Adventure (34)
  • Culture (8)
  • Destinations (80)
  • Travel (81)
  • Vacations (34)

Subscribe

Get The Latest News, Updates, And Amazing Offers

© 2025 RiderTourist.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Affiliate Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in .

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.