Behind the Scenes of a Wildlife Expedition
Expeditions are about more than just taking pictures. It is about the early starts, the unpredictable weather, and the quiet camaraderie of waiting for a moment that may or may not happen.
This short film, "Arctic Odyssey," showcases the stunning beauty of Svalbard and the experience of exploring beyond 80 degrees North on our 10-day expedition. It gives you a true sense of the adventure.
Our group exploring Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost town, a few days before our Svalbard expedition begins. The adventure starts on land, building excitement and camaraderie before we even set sail.
The journey begins! Boarding our expedition vessel, the MV Villa, in Svalbard. This video also shows some of the first incredible sightings of polar bears and walruses from the trip.
More incredible moments from our 2024 Svalbard expedition, including waterfalls cascading off glaciers and a polar bear on the rocky shore. This is the raw, untamed nature we travel to witness.
From vast glacial landscapes and polar bears on the ice to seals swimming among the floes, this video captures the diversity of wildlife and scenery we encounter on our Arctic journeys.
About this collection
People often see the final image, but rarely the reality of the hours spent on the deck of a ship or the patience required when wildlife doesn't show up on schedule. My expeditions are built for those who want the full experience, not a tourist checklist. We keep groups small—usually around 12 on our Arctic voyages—because I need everyone to have clear shooting angles and the space to actually observe, rather than just jostling for a frame.
The logistics of a wildlife photography expedition are where the real work happens. When we are out in places like Svalbard, we are dealing with extreme conditions. My role is not just to point out animals, but to ensure you are technically prepared to capture them, whether that means exposing correctly for ice and snow or knowing when to put the camera down and just watch.
Why the Logistics Matter
Photography in the wild is unpredictable. On our Arctic tours, we use ice-strengthened vessels and Zodiac boats specifically because they allow us to get to water-level, which provides a completely different perspective than shooting from a deck. We don't stick to a rigid schedule because the wildlife dictates our pace. If we are tracking a polar bear or watching a walrus colony, we stay.
My Mentorship Approach
I come from an engineering background, so I approach photography with a technical eye. During these expeditions, I focus on the 'how' and 'why' of a shot:
- Fieldcraft: How to approach animals without disturbing them.
- Technical Settings: Mastering backlight, rim lighting, and high-key exposure for white-on-white environments.
- Post-Processing: We review work in the evenings, which is just as important as the shooting time itself.
My goal is to share the knowledge I’ve gathered, from the settings on my DSLR camera traps to the techniques I use to track elusive species in the high Himalayas or the Masai Mara. You are not just joining a tour; you are part of a small, focused group learning to see the natural world as a story, not just a subject.
Yashpal Rathore
I spent years as an electrical engineer before the forests finally pulled me away for good. Now, I design my tours to be exactly what I looked for when I started: honest mentorship, small groups, and time to really watch the wild.
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