In 2003, I had the chance to embark upon the trip of a lifetime - a three week trip to Antarctica aboard the research vessel, MS Explorer. It was the tail-end of summer for the southern hemisphere. With only 75 guest passengers, the ship set sail from Ushuia, Chile stopping at various points on the continent of Antarctica, the South Georgia Islands, and ending at the Falkland Islands. In addition to the captain and crew, onboard were geologists, ornithologists and marine biologists who offered daily lectures about the land and marine life of Antarctica.
This adventure changed my life. It was the first time I fully realized how small and absolutely dependent human beings are. There was nothing about the landscape that could provide a natural safe harbor. Seeing the thriving majestic sea life - whales, leopard seals, walrus, penguins, and albatross, to name just a few - filled me with awe, a sobering and humbling sense of belonging and connection, albeit a tiny participant, to the grandeur of life on our planet.
For the trip, I took 100 rolls of film. The images offered here are scanned images of the prints I made. I hope you will enjoy them, and find yourself drawn to explore the expanse of planet Earth in any way you can - be it through books, movies, photography, or one day again soon, travel.
It is important to note that the MS Explorer shipwrecked late November 2007 off the South Shetland Islands. All passengers, crew and captain were rescued to safety aboard the Norwegian liner, Nordnorge...just one more reason I feel so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel aboard such a wonderful ship.
I share these with you to purchase or simply gaze upon here on my website.
In joy,
Michelle
PS. The watermark you see on these images does not appear on the prints. If you would like a signed print, please contact me directly. Signed prints are limited to 8 x 10 and 11 x14 size prints. They will become limited editions and are priced at $125 and $200 respectively. Sent via Fed Ex to the U.S and Canada, shipping and insurance are based on delivery address and will be added for the order. Thank you for your interest.
