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Not many of you know that my most recent photo-adventure tour took me to the Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. Baffin Island is located in the Canadian Arctic. I trekked in the Auyuittug National Park for 2 weeks and for the whole time I was the only human there. Auyuittug in the local Inuit language means: land that never melts. There is a reason for that
During these 2 weeks I hiked from the edge of the sea to the middle of the island covered by the ice cap. My 200km route allowed me to venture through a gigantic valley surrounded by monumental peaks with world largest vertical granite cliffs.
While witnessing the arctic landscape change from fall to winter, I also experienced the most impressive aurora displays I have ever seen.
This photo that I called “Secret Vista” is somewhat special to me because it marks a half way of my trek. I took it at the edge of the glacier, which I explored for 5 days plowing my way through 30 centimeters of snow. As soon as I stepped off the glacier I turned around and noticed few glacier caves. I decided to explore one of them. The moment I entered it, I noticed that the icy cold interior of the cave itself perfectly complemented the warm, soft evening light of the mountain view outside.
To execute this photo idea, I set up my tripod, got the gear ready, started to look through the viewfinder and all I could see was a blurred view. I realized that coming from the warmer exterior into the freezing cold and humid ice cave created the layer of fog on my lens that froze instantly. So I had to wait about 20 minutes to make it operational, again.
6 images focused blended for DOF. Nikon D810 @ 24mm ISO 64. Five images for cave f/11 one image for landscape f/5.6
That's an amazing shot Artur, that ice cave looks really cool. Baffin Island is high on my list of places I want to travel, I'm quite jealous. Looking forward to seeing more shots from your trip!
I just love your storyline and wow what a great adventure trip that was. It must have been a deeply meditative experience. The photo your posting is superb too, it gives a beautiful snapshot of the environment and the story makes it all the more interesting.
Freaking fantastic Artur. You are truly gifted as a photographer and blessed to be able to ability to travel as you do. Looking forward to seeing more.
Artur,
Auyuittug NP is such a beautiful place. Did you go south to north, starting in Pang? I've spent a bunch of time in the eastern baffin region and it's like nowhere else on earth and the people in Pangnirtung are incredibly friendly. I'm sure you have plenty of other photos that we eagerly await
This is one of my favorite shots of the year. You handled the light nicely. The way you framed the objects in the distance leaves something to the imagination and there is plenty of room for all elements to convey the story of warm and cold. A really great perspective and good processing to boot.
What a great image. I have some ice cave shots but without any background reference they ended up being just texture. Well done, it's quite slippery in there.
