Photography & Drone Guidelines

Antarctica is one of the most photographed wildernesses on Earth. Getting extraordinary images is entirely possible while respecting wildlife and environmental regulations -- it simply requires knowledge and discipline.

Wildlife Photography Rules

Distance & Flash

• Maintain minimum distances as specified in the Wildlife Interaction Guidelines (5m penguins, 15m fur seals, 30m whales by zodiac)
• No flash photography within 5 meters of any wildlife. Flash can disorient birds, disturb nesting behavior, and cause stampedes in penguin colonies
• Use telephoto lenses rather than moving closer. A 100-400mm zoom covers most wildlife scenarios from compliant distances
• Low profile: Crouch or kneel to reduce your visual impact and get eye-level compositions

Behavioral Ethics

• Do not pursue animals for a photograph. Let them come to you
• Do not use recorded sounds, calls, or bait to attract wildlife
• If an animal shows signs of distress (alarm calls, aggressive posture, attempted flight), stop shooting and back away
• Prioritize the animal's wellbeing over the photograph, always

Drone Regulations

Drones are heavily restricted in Antarctica. The rules vary by national jurisdiction, but the general framework is:

IAATO Guidelines

• Recreational drones are prohibited on all IAATO member expeditions
• Professional/commercial drone use requires specific authorization from the operator's national authority
• Minimum altitude: 100 meters above any wildlife concentration
• Horizontal distance: 200 meters from any wildlife colony, seal haul-out, or seabird nesting site
• No flights over research stations without explicit permission from the station commander

Why Drones Are Restricted

• Penguins panic at overhead drone noise, causing colony stampedes that crush eggs and chicks
• Flying birds (petrels, albatross) can collide with drones
• Lost drones become permanent Antarctic litter
• Radio interference can affect scientific instruments and station communications

Exceptions

Some expedition operators have obtained blanket commercial drone permits and operate their own professional drone teams. The footage they capture is typically made available to passengers. Check with your operator before bringing a drone.

Equipment Care in Antarctic Conditions

Cold Weather Challenges

• Battery life: Expect 40-60% reduction in battery capacity. Carry 3-4x more batteries than you think you need. Keep spares warm inside your jacket
• Condensation: Moving from cold exterior to warm ship interior causes severe condensation. Place camera in a sealed plastic bag before entering the ship and let it acclimatize for 30-60 minutes
• Touchscreens: Most touchscreens fail in extreme cold. Know your camera's button controls
• Tripods: Metal tripod legs conduct cold. Use foam grips or tape exposed metal sections

Recommended Gear

• Weather-sealed camera body
• 24-70mm general zoom for landscapes and zodiac shots
• 100-400mm telephoto for wildlife
• Polarizing filter for ice and water
• Waterproof camera bag (zodiac spray is constant)
• Lens cleaning cloths (salt spray accumulates rapidly)
• Dry bags for zodiac transfers

Zodiac Photography

• Keep camera inside waterproof bag during embarkation/disembarkation
• One hand for the camera, one hand for the boat -- secure yourself before shooting
• Waterproof phone cases for phone photography from zodiacs
• Expect spray -- have a cloth accessible at all times