We managed to have a great time in Iceland even though the weather did not cooperate. There was fog and rain and wind, probably the tail end of a storm that hit the East Coast a couple weeks ago. But we made the most of it, heading into the interior in Iurie’s intrepid bus, where the damp brought out the volcanic earth tones. Happily, puffins were still in residence, rather later than usual so that was a plus.
I also shot a great deal of video on this trip, which I’ll reveal at the end of this month when I return to doing live streams with Art Wolfe Live. I’m currently working to compile the footage and make a roughly 10 minute feature. I had a blast capturing the footage, and I can’t wait to bring you more video from the field when possible!
Weather not withstanding, our group came away with some amazing photos thanks in large part to our team on the ground in Iceland. We had an amazing specialized bus to get us where we needed to be, and all the expertise we could ask for. Over all, it was great to get out for some international travel and the COVID protocols in place offered peace of mind. Next week, off to Africa!
Greetings from Iceland! I’m still out and about here and have yet to really dive into editing. I figured I could whet your appetite with a small preview of what’s to come when I return and have the time to go back through all the great shots on this trip.
The weather hasn’t always been ideal, but our group has stepped up to the challenge; a little adversity is how we learn and grow.
I would also like to take this moment to announce that at the end of September will mark the return of my live broadcasts, so if you’ve missed Tequila Time and just can’t wait for more candid shenanigans and honest-to-goodness insights from yours truly, rest assured I’ll be back live on YouTube & Facebook!
Art Wolfe Live, or “AWL” as I suppose we will call it, wont be as frequent as Tequila Time with my travel schedule and other obligations, but the goal is to do it monthly at the very least. I simply don’t want to create an unsustainable format. I do however miss the live streams and connecting with everyone.
Not only will AWL be a way to connect with everyone on a monthly basis and talk about what I’ve been up to, I also intend to discuss current events and other important topics that aren’t solely related to my work.
As you may have heard there has been a record salmon run in Bristol Bay this year. In Katmai there are always a lot of bears and salmon, but this year the numbers were off the charts!
Though I haven’t been in many years because of the crowds, we made the effort to go to the famous Brooks Falls and were rewarded with great light, patiently fishing bears, and leaping salmon. Elsewhere in the park we discovered some deep snow patches that were favorite play and sleep areas for the bears. It was a great place for them to cool down in T-shirt weather for humans—I can only imagine how hot they get with all that fur.
The cubs had discovered channels and tunnels in the snow and would pop up to bite their siblings only to disappear again. There was an abundance of sows with two, even three cubs. It takes a lot of salmon to fuel mothers and cubs, and the fish did not disappoint.
Overall, it was great to be back in Katmai after taking a hiatus last season, and I can’t wait to be back here next year with another group of amazing participants!
It’s been a warm and dry summer here in the Pacific northwest. Until this past week, we hadn’t seen a drop of rain in the city most famous for it in nearly two months, and more often than not the temperatures have been in the upper 80’s and low 90s.
I’ve been fortunate to get away on tours recently in Katmai, and I’m preparing this week to go with a fantastic small group to Iceland – where there is still room to join if you are the spontaneous type.
With limited trips last year and so much uncertainty, I’m looking forward to capturing the fall color once again – and cooler temperatures! It’s unfortunate that we seem to be taking a step backwards in terms of combating COVID, but executing workshops has become much easier when you know the right questions to ask and have been through it all.
If you’ve been thinking about joining a workshop, we’ve got several coming up that highlight the fall color in the Western U.S., as well as a shindig at my place in October to kick off a weekend I’ve titled The Art of Seeing. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Short but sweet today, as our group arrives at the lodge up here in Katmai, Alaska. I missed out on visiting last summer, so I’m excited to see how things have changed in the past couple of years. My visits to this region have been so frequent that I’ve grown to recognize individual bears over the years – hopefully they haven’t grown up or changed too much in that time! Here are some of my favorite shots from this location over the years. Each time I go to this location, I have a new goal in mind. It’s interesting to look back and see how my shots and focus has changed from year to year. This time I definitely want to get some artistic shots of the beautiful vibrant salmon to illustrate many of the things I talk about when I speak of “changing the way you see”. I mean it! Stay tuned for new photos when I return!
This will be the first of two sold-out tours happening back to back – check out my events page to get your name on the list early for next year’s tours so you don’t miss out!
Happy Friday! Currently packing for a couple tours in Katmai, and I can’t wait to get out there with our group. I missed this last year, so it’ll be great to get back to it – and good to see our associates on the ground here as well that help our workshops run smoothly!
In the immediate future, there are limited spots left for both the Abstract Port Townsend and Iceland tours happening in August. Two very different experiences! Iceland has been filling up incredibly fast for being a new addition, so if it’s a trip you’ve been thinking about – now is the time!
it’s also a good time to be looking ahead to next year. I’ll be back here in Alaska – so if you missed it this year before they sold out, you’ve got another chance with lots of time to prepare, but don’t hesitate to grab your spot as these always sell out. I’ll also be heading to Japan, Africa, and Mongolia next year as well. Lets go shoot!
I took a hiatus from visiting Katmai last year; not necessarily as a consequence of the pandemic, but due to some other trips that I had to fit into my calendar. I’m as excited as ever to return this salmon season to check on on the bears I’ve observed on a regular basis for years now.
This year’s trips are already sold out – however you can guarantee your spot now to join me on this exclusive workshop photographing the denizens of Katmai National Park in 2022. Space is very limited, and while most workshops end up selling out as their dates approach, the Katmai tours often fill up very early on – don’t miss your opportunity!
As usual, there are two tours back to back happening next August. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to photograph these animals and capture their very unique personalities and character traits – it’s also a chance to meet like-minded photographers who simply like to share in the knowledge and adventure of travel and wildlife photography.
Today is “Nature Photography Day” – I think I might have something to accomodate! This day was designated by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to promote the enjoyment of nature photography, and to explain how images have been used to advance the cause of conservation and protect plants, wildlife, and landscapes locally and worldwide–a cause I couldn’t agree more with and one I’ve been pursuing my entire career.
Thankfully I’m home for a couple days between workshops & I will be posting some new photos from the last three weeks along the Pacific coast of California and Oregon. I encourage everyone to get out there and explore your corner of the world!
Limited to just six participants, this retreat is designed to combine the best aspects of a relaxing vacation, inspiring seminar, and hands-on workshop all into one inspiring trip.
California’s Central Coast is a location brimming with variety: stunning ocean vistas, abstract photo opportunities, and wildlife, not to mention the fine dining in the company of other enthusiasts. Do you like sea otters? Imagine kayaking amongst them! We are going to a fantastic location where you can comfortably photograph sea otters from kayaks.
With Art Wolfe as guide and guru, you will learn how to clear your mind and photograph in the moment, free of preconceived notions; you will explore how to spot the non-obvious and uncover new ways to expand your visual imagination in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Just two spaces remain before this highly exclusive workshop fills up! If you plan on joining, sign up today – it will sell out!
The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always.
— John Steinbeck
Space is still available to join me on our Majestic Redwoods Photography Retreat, taking place at the end of this month! Come along and make some new friends who share your love of photography in one of the most iconic forests in all the world, where these trees – some a millennia old – tower over the beautiful California coast.
Of course this is an ART WOLFE workshop, so while we will line up and grab the token travel shots that exclaim, “I was here!” along with all the other tourists – we will go much much deeper in exploring this land – the same land that has drawn explorers and naturalists throughout history to it’s unique and massive canopy over the centuries. From the forest to the coast, we will mine this location for opportunities to set our photography apart from the pack, enhancing your creative eye with lessons that will serve you no matter the subject.
Space is limited and these workshops tend to fill up quickly the closer we get – don’t wait too long to sign up and miss out! Of course, all of my workshops are Covid compliant, and your health, safety, and enjoyment of our time together is top of mind.
