MOST ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What inspires you about the polar regions?
The polar regions are unlike any other area on our planet and without them we wouldn’t have the moderate temperate zone that we do. They are otherworldly. 

Q: What first made you interested in photographing Icebergs?
I found myself in Antarctica and was drawn to the unique beauty of Icebergs. I love their sculptural aspect and it’s incredible to think that they are made from snowflakes that have piled on top of each other for thousands of years. 

Q: What can I do about climate change?
Climate change is a very personal and moral issue. Each one of us has to figure out how we as individuals should live on this planet. Of course, each and every one of us does make a difference. I always say, pick the one thing that you wouldn’t want to see lost on this planet and stand up for that thing, whether they’re trees, birds or butterflies. Personally, I have reduced the amount of single-use plastic I use and have converted my home to be powered by wind and solar. I always think about where something will end up when I’m buying it, for when we throw something away it doesn’t truly disappear. 

Q: What do you want viewers to take away from your images? 
In my opinion, I don’t think it's effective to tell someone what to think or to believe. My job is to create a space, and if I’ve done my job right it will allow the viewer to formulate their own ideas and emotions about what I’ve shown them. 

Q: On the subject of fear… 
People sometimes remark on my images that they are scary or terrifying, or wonder how I travel the world by myself as a woman. The way that some people deal with fear is that they avoid it. I personally feel more uncomfortable feeling fearful rather than facing and moving through that thing I’m supposed to be afraid of. I cannot say that I’ve ever felt afraid or terrified in any circumstance in any place around the world. Perhaps that’s because I carry with me all of my ancestors and that I understand I am interconnected with everyone and everything in the world. This knowledge gives me a healthy respect for my relatives and when you truly respect someone or something there is no need to fear it (ie. a polar bear or a storm).

Q: Is there any hope for us on this planet?
One of the amazing things about this planet is the ability for it to generate life. Most of the time, humans just need to get out of the way. I think until we as humans truly understand our interconnected and interrelatedness to all beings on earth and have respect for them, then no, we don’t have a chance. 

Q:  What is your role as an artist? Do you consider yourself an activist? 
The role of an artist is to reveal something that was previously unknown and unseen, to help cultivate more compassion and empathy, or to inspire. To breathe life, to give fuel to others to keep going. 

Q: What is the most important thing that you’ve learned about our earth's environment?
That we only get one. The damage we do to our planet we do to ourselves.

Q: Who has inspired you?
Here are my top there photographic inspirations: 

1. Edward Burtynsky

2. Steve McCurry

3. Chris Jordan

Q: What can you tell us about the We Are Still Here project?
I was frustrated with the visual stereotype of Native Americans that still persists and was especially disheartened when I learned that when polled, second graders thought that there were no more Indians. I thought it was time to update that record in a non-colonial way. We Are Still Here is a visual document of indigenous identifying people speaking to their future descendants through the image that I make of them. Also, it means that these images are specifically being made for their relatives, not for market consumption specifically.

Q: Why did you become a photographer and what is the benefit of a photograph as a medium?
A still image is like a really fast painting. I chose to use photography as my way to communicate when I realised that we needed more examples of beauty about this life and this planet. One of the things I like about making a still image is that I can press the shutter and then be back in the present moment, instead of the more consuming process of making a video or drawing.

Q: What is your photography background?
I have an extensive background in fine art and am formally trained (BFA). 

Q: What advice would you give to those interested in pursuing photography?
I always tell young people who ask me advice that there is already a Camille Seaman, and the world doesn’t need to see that you can make an image like me. We need to see how you uniquely see the world. First, figure out what makes the way that you see the world different from everyone else. Second, know your intention. Why do you want to use a camera? What do you want to say? 

Q: What are you working on now?! 
All sorts of things :) 

What camera do I use?

First I want to say its never about the camera! I have friends that use $5 toy cameras and create amazing images. But for those of you who still want to know...

For The Last Iceberg; series I used primarily four different formats, I own many cameras that I consider tools. Different projects require a different set of tools. Until 2009 I used both film and digital cameras. Now I use both Canon DSLRs & Sony Mirrorless cameras.

• The first panoramic camera that I took with me to Antarctica was a Fuji TX-1 otherwise known as a Hasselblad Xpan, This versatile friendly rangefinder type camera produced lovely negatives, but I was eager to create larger prints and after 2005 decided I needed a larger negative. I used both the 45mm and 90mm lenses for that camera with Kodak Portra 160NC & 400NC Negative film.

• The second Panoramic camera I used was in 2006 in East Greenland, I rented a Linhof 617 III which produced amazing negatives but was a solid metal camera and was unfriendly to load and use in cold weather. I almost lost my fingertips to frostbite using this camera. So in 2006 when I returned to Antarctica I purchased a second hand Fuji GX617 with three lenses. They are the 105mm, 180mm and 300mm lenses. This camera is friendly to use in the hostile cold and creates lovely negatives, again I used only Kodak Portra 160NC film.

• The Epson RD-1 6.1 MP digital rangefinder body with Leica 28mm Summicron and Leica 35mm Summilux lenses. This stealthy little camera allows me to hand hold up to a half second (I dont drink coffee) with no movement or blur in dark huts and interiors. I do not like flash light and have not used any light other than what is provided by the more than adequate ball of Hydrogen in the sky. The excellent quality of Leica lenses allows me to make nice sized prints from the meager file size.

• The Canon 5D 12.8MP digital camera body with the following Canon Eos L Lenses; 24mm 1.4, 35mm 1.4,50mm 1.2, 70-300mm 4. I use prime lenses as fast as I can afford. The canon performs well in cold weather conditions is not too big or heavy and creates superb image files. 

• My old trusty Rolleiflex  2.8F TLR. This 45 year old camera needs no batteries, is solidly built and creates wonderful square medium format images. I used this camera in 2003 when I first traveled to the Arctic Region of Svalbard.

• Leica MP with the following lenses; 28mm Summicron, 35mm Titanium Summilux, 50mm Summilux, 90mm Elmarit. When you want to use a superb tool and create amazing stealthy images or just need to hand hold at slow shutter speeds this is the ticket. My all time favorite camera. A true joy to use.

How Do You Get To The Arctic & Antarctica?

The first time I traveled on an Icebreaker it was in the Arctic in 2003, the ship, M/V Polar Star is a lovely small boat that is very comfortable (as icebreakers go) and was run by a company in Halifax called Polar Star Expeditions. I took this same ship in 2005 to the Antarctic Peninsula and in 2006 back again to the Arctic this time to East Greenland. I was very happy on this ship especially when Jørn Hendriksen was the Expedition Leader they are were safe and knowledgeable. Scientists, Historians and Researchers give lectures onboard and in the field. Unfortunately they no longer exist as a company.

In December 2006 I traveled on Quark Expeditions Russian icebreaker the I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov to the Ross Sea of Antarctica, this ship grows on you and having helicopters on board ensures that you will get places that you otherwise would have no chance to go. If you are looking for extreme tourism this is the ship. In fact it is the only passenger ship with such capabilities.

Since 2011 I worked exclusively as Expedition Photographer for a Norwegian company called Hurtigruten. If you are looking for a trip pf a lifetime check them out at Hurtigruten.com

I also am on National Geographic Expeditions as their Photography Expert, If you’d like to travel with me on those voyages you can find more information here.

What Advice Do You Have For Aspiring Photographers?

Again I would say its not about the camera! If you are serious about photography make images often, practice seeing and look at as much photography as possible, both work you like and do not like. Begin an internal dialogue that help develops your own unique way of seeing and making images. Know what you like and why you like it. Most importantly photograph something that you are passionate about, there is not much money or glory in what I do, all I have in the end is my love and respect for the subjects I choose. Do this because you love it. I have been working on the Last Iceberg project since 1999. You must be patient and passionate. For me personally I must honor my subject, be faithful to the quality of light and work hard.

Can I Be Your Assistant?

I do not use assistants; I enjoy the solitude of working alone. But thank you for asking.

Do You Manipulate Your Images? Is That Color Real?

I do very little to my images. In fact not much at all beyond Burning and Dodging (making areas darker or lighter). I adjust contrast and thats about it. I sometimes desaturate to be as true to what I felt I saw as possible. I have my digital cameras set to Neutral as well. That neon blue that the icebergs have really only happens in overcast situations. It’s then that I work, because when the sun comes out the Icebergs just go white and lose their personality.