A few more images from my recent visit to Tuk to see my daughter. These were all taken with the D3x. The constant wind, and the lack of any objects to direct it, creates beautiful sculptures in the snow. Images 3 and 4 may seem a little dark. I did adjust them in Camera Raw but only slightly because I did not want to lose the texture in the snow. C and C appreciated.
Great shots from the far north. How expensive was it to fly there, and which airline? How cold was it? Very windy? How far from Tuk did you get and with which method of transportation?
I like #4 the most, I would like it more with less sky either framed or cut afterwards.
If you have a collection of photos somewhere, I'd like to see more photos.
that 3rd image is insane! is it sunset? Every layer of that sunset has a different texture and feel to it. Amazing! Kudos to anyone living in a climate like that, real tough living.
Robert Body wrote:
Great shots from the far north. How expensive was it to fly there, and which airline? How cold was it? Very windy? How far from Tuk did you get and with which method of transportation?
I like #4 the most, I would like it more with less sky either framed or cut afterwards.
If you have a collection of photos somewhere, I'd like to see more photos.
Thanks for the comments Rob. Temps in February in Tuk are usually in the range of -20 or so daytime and -30 to -35 Celsius at night. Windchill can make it seem much colder. There is always wind, sometimes very strong to blizzard force and other times minimal but always present. Top notch cold weather gear is essential - down parka, insulated snow pants, arctic rated boots and face protection. Darkness is an interesting change from the south. The sun does not reappear in the sky until late January. Last week when we were there the sun rose at 11:15 or so and set around 5:00 p.m but the sun does not venture high into the sky so, while it is up, the natural lighting is more akin to twilight or dawn which is great for photography.
The only airline with scheduled flights to Tuk is Aklak Air, an airline operated by the Inuvialuit Development Corporation. A one way fare from Inuvik to Tuk costs about $220.00 taxes in. You can drive to Tuk from December to April via the Mackenzie Delta ice road either in your vehicle or in a shuttle - $80.00 per person one way. If you have seen Ice Road Truckers it will give you some idea about what to expect altho that show GROSSLY exaggerates the conditions.
You can either drive to Inuvik via the Dempster highway (highly recommended but BE PREPARED) or fly into Inuvik with Air North (very reasonable), Canada North or First Air both more expensive. In May, 2012 WestJet, a very successful Canadian discount airline, will begin flying into Inuvik. Fares will likely be lower than they are now due to the increased competition. Most flights to Inuvik originate in Vancouver, British Columbia or Edmonton, Alberta.
We did not travel outside of Tuk because there are no communities close to Tuk. By close I mean within 200-300 kilometres!! You could travel out onto the ice but you need to go with someone who knows what they are doing and how to avoid hazards. A mistake in the winter in Tuk out on the ice will end very badly. Most travel around Tuk is via snowmobile in winter. In spring, summer and fall prior to freeze-up, there is water everywhere, more water than land in fact, which is why this place is a mecca for waterfowl. But, and I mean a HUGE but, be prepared for flies and mosquitoes like you have never seen before.
I will post more. Thanks again Rob. PM me if you want more information.
roguecoolman wrote:
that 3rd image is insane! is it sunset? Every layer of that sunset has a different texture and feel to it. Amazing! Kudos to anyone living in a climate like that, real tough living.
thedutt wrote:
I like #1 & #4. IMO, #4 with just the snow textures would be pretty awesome
Thanks for looking and commenting. The biggest challenge was keeping the camera from freezing and the battery from dying. Comments are very much appreciated.
I had my 1D4 batteries drop to 70% from 100% due to the cold (nowhere near -40 though, just -2 F or so). Keeping spares (fully charged) warm helped and switching them out. Also 20% full battery became unusable, but came back to life at about 20% later when kept warm.
Using a lens cover (the kind used for waterfalls spray too) would keep the wind from reaching the camera, but I think most people would like some kind of a "wearable" shelter to shield the photographer and the camera, a scaled down blind just for cold weather.
Robert Body wrote:
I had my 1D4 batteries drop to 70% from 100% due to the cold (nowhere near -40 though, just -2 F or so). Keeping spares (fully charged) warm helped and switching them out. Also 20% full battery became unusable, but came back to life at about 20% later when kept warm.
Using a lens cover (the kind used for waterfalls spray too) would keep the wind from reaching the camera, but I think most people would like some kind of a "wearable" shelter to shield the photographer and the camera, a scaled down blind just for cold weather.
Keeping the batteries warm for sure is important. There are small camera warming devices for sale which apparently work. I have never tried them. Keeping a spare battery inside your coat and close to the body seems to work very well. The wind and cold are big issues for exposed hands. At -30, exposed skin will freeze in a few minutes; at -40 in seconds. Ouch!
All very nice. I actually like the second one an awful lot, as I like the patterns and the appearance of displacement of the patterns along distinct lines - much like you would see in fractured rock or faulted terrain (it appeals to the geologist in me...). I assume that's due to some combination of camera and sun angle(?). From a pure photographic perspective though, I'd have to go with the first and fourth. They're all very nice though.
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