Near Neko Harbour, Antarctica
Phase One XF 150MP, 240mm Schneider Kreuznach, f5.6 @ 1/1250 second, ISO 50

When you compare this photo with its exposure settings, you quickly work out that there must have been plenty of light, but the image has been darkened down in post-production. Correct!

All voyages to Antarctica, South Georgia and (if you’re lucky enough), the South Sandwich Islands are fantastic – whether it’s your only trip to Antarctica or your tenth. And while the brochures generally show beautiful blue skies, the reality is usually includes a full range of weather conditions – which is exactly what you want.

On this particular day, there was a low misty cloud obscuring the tops of the mountains on the mainland. The fact you can’t see the tops of the mountains creates a sense of the unknown. There’s something behind the clouds that we can’t discern and so we become more involved as we try to work it out. So, rather than being given all of the answers on a blue sky day, we’re left asking questions. Or at least I am.

With the background softly lit, the foreground has been emphasised with a little more contrast. This is a useful post-production technique if you want to give the foreground or your subject more presence. I just use a large, soft edged brush and paint the contrast in. Increasing the contrast also accentuates the three-dimensionality of the ice bergs and the directionality of the light – not that there was much directionality. Certainly not as much as there appears to be in the photo, but this can be one of the side-benefits when increasing contrast.

Having discovered some directionality, the final touches were to lighten the sides of the icebergs that were already reflecting the light. I’ve chosen two of them to emphasise – although it’s fair to say they chose themselves! But notice how the eye jumps from one light area to the other, creating movement within the scene. Dare I suggest, a little dynamic tension.

I have a little audio visual on Antarctica on Vimeo, here’s the link: https://vimeo.com/1080990177?share=copy#t=0

You can see my stills portfolio on my personal website here: https://www.petereastway.com/antarctica--south-georgia-2025?ct=2

And if you’re interested in experiencing Antarctica yourself, may I highly recommend the voyage I’m taking in March 2026. You’ll find full details on the website: https://www.betterphotography.com/photo-tours/sandwich2026-detail