Art and Photography Blog

Paul Nicklen’s Polar Obsession - Great Photo Book from National Geographic

I have always been interested in the Arctic since my trips to Alaska, the Yukon, and Newfoundland in the early 70s so I was very interested in receiving a review copy of the Polar Obsession book by National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen. It is another great one from National Geographic and the book exceeded my already high expectations.  First it is a very beautiful large format book. Second, Paul goes both underwater and across the ice to deliver unique, close-up documentation of wildlife in the Arctic and Antarctic. The book also presents timely insights into animal behavior, the fragile polar environment and the climate change that threatens the ice and those who live over and under it.

Paul grew up in a small Inuit community in the Canadian Arctic so he is at home with this effort.  He now lives in Whitehorse, Yukon, a town I have visited. There are 150 images from the polar reaches that include elephant seals, leopard seals, whales, walruses, narwhals and polar bears, penguins, albatrosses, petrels, arctic cod and tiny krill. The cover has dual image of a polar bear underwater and its reflection on the surface above it.

The books often have a photographer and a writer. Paul covers both roles here. He starts each chapter with an essay detailing the life conveyed in the images. The title page has a great shot of a sleeping seals riding the waves taken at water level. The next shot is a group of narwhals with their unicorn horns raised like spears. There is wonderful two-page sot of a group of walruses in Norway.  The narwhals get extensive coverage with some great group shots and close-ups of their horns.

The creatures of the Arctic and Antarctic are quite spectacular and Paul covers both ends of the earth.  There is a great contrast. For example, on two-page spread you see a lone polar bear in the distant framed against the blue ice glacier and cold cliffs off Norway. You turn the page to see another two page spread of a warm tone image of hundreds of Elephant Seals and King Penguins on a beach in South Georgia in the very South Atlantic.   Turn again and you are faced with a close up of a baby Elephant seal staring at you underwater.

There are many close-ups of Polar Bears that make you wonder how he took the shots. One shows a close head shot of a Polar bear shaking off waters as it comes up from a dive. Another has a bear shining red in the sunset as it hunts. The landscapes, both above and below the water are also well covered.  This is a book that I will return to many times. I highly recommend it. You can order the book at the National Geographic site.

Color Sketch of Coffee and Roll

Here is a 12" x 12" painting of a coffee and roll. I forgot my still life components and improvised with two helpings of a snack. The other was the same but I ate and drank it.

Painting of Peppers: Red Orange, and Yellow, on a White Cloth

Here is a 18" x 24" acrylic painting of peppers on a white cloth. I was looking at the multi-colored shadows generated by the peppers and the folds in the cloth. Also, the white reflections off the napkin on the peppers caught my attention. This painting and all others on this blog are for sale. See the links in the right side bar. Let me know if you are interested.

Photos of Stonington Connecticut

Stonington is located on a small peninsula the sea coast near the Rhode Island border. Here is what it looked like this past summer on a warm August day. Water Street, the main commercial street, has a lot of flowers.

Photos of Chester Connecticut

Chester Connecticut is a river town located near Essex, the subject of last weekend's photos. It is has a long past and some great bars and cafes.

Photos of Essex Connecticut

Essex is an old river front town is located near the foot of the Connecticut. The steamers used to dock there on the way from Hartford to New York. Here are some scenes from this August.

Sumner Painting of Mt. Jefferson from Mt. Washington

This is an 18" x 24" acrylic painting of Mt. Jefferson in New Hampshire's White Mountains. The painting was started on the shoulder of Mt. Washington looking over at Mt. Jefferson, both part of the Presidential range. This was done in August.

Painting of Red, Yellow, White Onions and Garlic

Here is an 18" x 24" acrylic painting of red onions, yellow onions, white onions, and garlic. Like many others, I was focusing on light, shadows, and color. All paintings are for sale.

Photos of Onset Bay and Point Independence Summer 2009

This is post the last post in the series on photos of Onset Bay. The last two have focused on the changing light around the bay. Here are more views from the Point Independence Inn looking out on Onset Bay taken in August. These focus more on the what is happening in the bay. They start with a view form the porch at the inn.

Photos of Onset Bay Light Part Two

These are more photos of views from the Point Independence Inn looking out on Onset Bay taken in August. Here are more photos of the changing light and a reminder of the summer.