Well, I am now less than 2 weeks away from heading off on my first trip to Alaska. I surprise myself I haven’t mentioned it before here, but I have been so swamped with so many other things. I will be photographing for a few days just outside Denali National Park, and then down to Katmai National Park to photograph coastal brown bears. Both are places I have always wanted to go to, and yet I will also miss so many more places in Alaska that I wish I had time to visit. For the bear portion, I will be living on a boat for 6 days, which enables access to some of the more remote areas of the Katmai coastline.
Equipment packing is going to be interesting. I am just starting to gather things together to make sure I fall within the 75 lb weight limit I need to be at. It seems I have been making purchases of items I “think” I will need over the past few weeks. It is amazing how the expenses can start to add up with things you think you will need here and there. Weather I understand can be highly variable, wide ranges of temperatures possible, rain likely, and waders are a must for stream crossings and wet landings. It seems like 75 lbs should be doable, but when I start subtracting camera gear, laptop/hard drives and rain gear – it doesn’t leave a lot left for clothing or other extras.
But aside from the equipment aspect, what about the mental part? Do I know what I want as far as imagery? What are my goals? Is it possible to pre-visualize any compositions to look for, despite not being familiar with the region? Perhaps this is an equally important packing list to formulate. Of course so much will depend on conditions and reacting to them, but it doesn’t hurt to dream a bit. I have certainly seen a lot of pictures of Alaska, a lot of the bears at Katmai, and I hear you can see Russia from up there. 🙂 But what do I want to portray of my first experience here?
Bear Image of the Year
Sometimes I will make small sketches and keep them with me just as reminders in case the scenery and conditions look accommodating. Here is such a sketch. It is not defined by any images I have seen before, but something that I thought would make for a cool shot should the opportunity arise. (If someone has seen such an image – please don’t burst my bubble. 🙂 ) It could be entirely wishful thinking for a moment that could never happen. I think you can easily surmise why I am a photographer and not a sketch artist. Fortunately these do not weigh anything.
So posts will be scarce over the next 3 weeks or so. Hopefully some stories to tell, images to share, and matching sketches with what really happened when I return.
I hope your trip is wonderful and productive for you. I hope you managed to fit everything you need/want in the 75lb weight limit.
Hi Mark, I have been off the RSS feed for a while and just see this now! You might even have returned? I sure hope you didn’t get on the wrong side of one of those bears :-).
I really hope you have (had?) and enjoyable trip and can’t wait to see the images you come home with. Keep following those dreams!
All the best,
Thomas
Sounds like it is going to be a heck of an adventure Mark. I find I work better when I have either a prior familiarity with a place or have done some research into what others have photographed before to get an idea for types of subject matter are available.
I lived for about 7 years in Alaska. It’s beautiful. I lived in Anchorage for a year, then Wasilla for 6.
Fishing is great, and the wildlife… we’ve been to Denali, Valdez, Fairbanks, and many little tiny places that nobody knows of. It’s a great state to get good wildlife pictures, and to go relax for a nice vacation!
Man… now I want to go back… 🙂
I used to live in Anchorage. My parents NEVER called me on Fri, Sat or Sun as they knew I would not be home at least 50weeks of the year. Waaay to much to do, waaay to much fun.
Enjoy the trip. It’s a fabulous place –especially in the winter.
Nope, it won’t help with a float plane—I thought you were having airline issues.
Thanks so much folks – I appreciate the well wishes.
Mark M – nice of you to offer, but it probably won’t help me get on the float plane. 🙂
Sounds like you have great trip planned. If you are really pinching pounds to get your equipment up here, you might consider shipping some things ahead of time. It’s a little expensive to ship packages to Alaska, but might be worth it for a trip like this. I’m just outside of Anchorage in Eagle River and would be happy to hold some boxes for you.
Have a wonderful trip. Can’t wait to see what you come back with!
I’m sure you’ll have a great time and I add a wish to have no troubles, especially with bears. I’m also looking forward your photos. So, good luck and have fun!
Looking forward to seeing the work you do there Mark. Hope it’s a great trip!
How exciting! Packing will be the most difficult part.
Thanks for sharing about your sketches and thought process. You already have one main focus: bears. If you take only one change of clothes, you will smell just right to get in there with the bears.
Looking forward to your images!!
Most of all: Have Fun!!
Changes of clothing are over rated, just need spare underwear and socks and a good rain coat… ;^) I can’t wait to see what you come back with! No matter what you want to achieve up there… Alaska will come up with something that you never knew you wanted but once you have it you can’t live without. Happy hunting!
Do you have room in your luggage for a two hundred pound addition, I promise you won’t even know I am there !!
Have a wonderful trip !!
I LOVE the sketch! haha….What a great idea though to compose your shots by drawing sketches. Well I sure wish you a wonderful trip. I can’t wait to see what images you come back with, and the stories too!
Have a WONDERFUL, safe journey, Mark. I’m sure you’ll return with images you could not have possibly dreamt of. I look forward to them.
What a marvelous treat for you to look forward to. I join the large group who will eagerly await your posts sharing the adventure with us.
I am delighted to hear that you sometimes “dream” elements of a photo session. I agree whole-heartedly with Paul’s philosophy of staying open, but it helps me to imagine what might be possible. I hope someday you might have some time to talk about that process and how it works for you.
This indeed will be a great trip for you. Anyone who feels compelled to be attached to the environment eventually winds up in Alaska. I’m jealous! Have a great trip 🙂
Mark, it sounds like a fantastic trip. Just be open to what you’ll see. I think that if you start to pre-visualize, you’ll miss some wonderful opportunities! It will be really cool to see what you come back with! Enjoy it!
Mark, I’m happy for you and envious of your trip. 🙂 We were in Alaska last year and I was ready to return even before getting back home. There will be no shortage of photo opportunities and I know you’ll fully take advantage of them. I look forward to viewing your results…have a wonderful time!!
Have a great time! Looking forward to your future posts!
Thanks for the well wishes.
@ Bill – I am hoping for some fall color!
@ Ron – I know – I was hoping to either meet you or Carl while I was all the way up there. May be a chance to meet Carl on the last day I am in Anchorage.
@ Reza – still waiting to see some pictures – I don’t think you really went! 🙂
Hi Mark,
I am sure you’ll never forget your trip. I had the best trip while I was there. Wish, I could come with you guys. Tell, Chuck, I still have my jacket that Eagles left some foot prints… Chuck will tell you the story 🙂
I’m sorry I’m going to miss you while you are up here, but I look forward to seeing your photos! Have a great trip!
I just got back from Alaska a couple weeks ago. Amazing place. They said they were expecting an early fall, so hopefully you’ll get there just in time. Best of luck!
Mark…congrats on the trip…must have been incredible will power not to mention it here before. I have never been to Alaska and really looking forward to seeing some of your images posted when you return. I am sure they will be fantastic. Have a great trip!!