Steamer Duck, Carcass Island, Falklands

Everyone has favourite subjects. I think I have a lot - icebergs, penguins and even Steamer Ducks. On my last jaunt to Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions, we spent a few short days in the Falklands where there is no shortage of these beautifully plumed Steamer Ducks.

And it seems my favourite angle is from behind. That's probably because as soon as they see me sneaking up on them, they run away. I'll have to get a few tips from Scott Portelli who has made the Falklands a regular location for wildlife tours.

One of the challenges all voyages have to Antarctica at the present is the Avian Flu and to restrict its spread, there are rules and regulations which request visitors not to lie, sit, kneel or even crouch when on land. This makes it bloody difficult to take some photos, especially when you want to get your camera down low for wildlife.

While the Falklands may not be quite so strict at all its locations, our ship requested us to continue with the protocol, so my solution was to use my tripod. Tripod legs are okay and you can spread them quite wide for a very low angle. And you get used to the articulated rear LCD screen, although when you release the ball-head lock, your subject can quickly disappear from view.

At the end of the day on the beach, my legs and abdomen got quite a workout, but there's no doubting a low camera angle makes a big difference for subjects standing on a sandy beach.

My next voyage to Antarctica with Tony Hewitt won't visit the Falklands as we are leaving from New Zealand and ending up in Ushuaia! Called Crossing the 7th Continent, it's an epic 34-day voyage in January 2027. For more information, visit https://www.betterphotography.com/photo-tours/workshops/antarctic2027-detail