Our winning image: A brilliant day for a hike on the Arctic tundra in Svalbard, Norway (Photo by June Jacobsen, Patchogue, NY)
Our 2011 Expeditions Moments Photo Contest results are in! We were thrilled to received more than 550 entries from travelers on our expeditions all over the world. The grand prize winner, chosen by a panel of National Geographic photographers, was June Jacobsen of Patchogue, New York. June snapped this incredible shot (left) on our Land of the Polar Bears expedition. Her prize: a trip for two on our Bhutan Photography Expedition. Read on below to see what she had to say about the experience and the image she took.
Be sure to check out the entire photo contest gallery, which includes June’s winning shot, as well as a selection of finalists. Details on next year’s contest will be posted on our website in January – so stay tuned.
The Photographer: June Jacobsen
The Expedition: Land of the Polar Bears
The Shot: Tundra Trek
This was a brilliant day for a hike on the Arctic tundra, surprisingly alive with flora, as well as reindeer and Arctic fox. It seems the mountains make their own weather on Svalbard, or at least cloud formations—this one no exception.
The Story Behind the Shot: It was the last day of the trip and one more chance to walk the tundra on Spitsbergen. Tundra—it sounds so cold and barren. Instead, this polar desert landscape supports a community of flora and fauna, from the tiny poppies and saxifrages to arctic foxes and reindeer, as well as many species of birds. I enjoy the longer hikes, so our Zodiac was first off that morning with our terrific guide, Richard White. Mountains have a way of making their own weather, and I’d noticed the ribbons of clouds circling this one. We started up the hillside, and many years ago I’d learned to check the view we were leaving behind. (Not a hard call in this environment.) I turned, saw the striking lighting, and grabbed a few shots while the hikers were still in the view.
Since we are in polar bear country, the crew on the ship’s bridge keep a binocular’s eye on the terrain. Down the valley were a mama bear and her cub, specks to us, but nothing to play with. Richard in turn got a call on his walkie-talkie, and we made a u-turn for the Zodiacs on the shoreline. The third group of hikers never made it to the island to start their walk.
The Camera: Canon 5D MKII with 28-70mm L series lens @ 68mm
The Exposure: f/13 @ 1/2000 sec.; ISO 500; Exposure compensation +1; Post process in Lightroom and Photoshop, dodge and burn, adjusted saturation and contrast
The Most Memorable Moment of the Trip: The most memorable moment on the Land of the Polar Bears expedition was a continuum of bear sightings—it’s just so exciting to see these animals in their natural habitat—throughout the week. The crew on the bridge recorded more sightings than I captured in my camera, as sleep was a necessary evil.
Click here to see the 2011 Expeditions Moments Photo Contest gallery. Check back on our website in January for details on next year’s contest.
really sir your shot is marvellous.
and congrats to you that your shot has won top rank among 550 entries!!!!!
These type of terrain is so different. Also the angle of the sun and the view itself makes it possible to make great photographies. Thank you for sharing this.
Beautiful picture. Congrats and hope you enjoy your trip to Bhutan. :)