7 Tips for Photographing Icebergs

I wrote this blog article for NLPhotographers.com a little while ago. The site was offline for a few days and I thought it was gone for good (and I hadn't saved this article). So I thought I would share it here as well.

7 Tips for Photographing Icebergs

Iceberg season is upon us and you’ll want to capture the many icebergs that float by our shores. Here are a few tips for getting the best photos you can get.

1) Include something in the foreground.
Including something in the foreground will show the scale of the iceberg. Without it, it’s almost impossible to tell how big the iceberg is. Something like a boat, house or person will give scale to the photo and make it more interesting too.

2) Use zoom.
Using a zoom lens will compress the distances and alter the perspective. In this case, it’s a good thing because it will make the iceberg look closer and bigger than it is. Of course this will only work if there is something in the foreground, as mentioned above. Using zoom can make it look like the iceberg is towering over homes and you’ll end up with an impressive photo.

3) Make it interesting.
Try to photograph the iceberg in an interesting way. If there are trails along the shoreline, go for a hike and explore different angles. You might be able to photograph an iceberg from above. This will allow you to look down and see the area below the water’s surface as well, and this tends to be a beautiful colour. Another idea is to zoom in and only photograph part of the berg. You don’t need to get the whole iceberg in the shot. Photograph the textures, angles and different colours that are in the ice. Maybe you can get a shot of a seagull perched on the iceberg. Some larger icebergs may have small streams of water running off them or icicles. These would all make for interesting and unique iceberg photos. Don’t be afraid to experiment and take lots of photos.

4) Watch your exposure.
Photographing a bright white iceberg against a deep blue ocean or sky can be tricky. You don’t want the whites of the berg to be blown out or the ocean to become black and lose detail. Try exposing for something neutral (like the sky or ground). Experiment with different exposures and pick the one that looks best. A polarizing filter might help cut down some of the glare off the berg if it is a bright sunny day.

5) Find out where the icebergs are.
If you’re lucky you will find icebergs from Labrador to St. Anthony to Cape Race. But finding some that are close enough to shore to photograph can be a challenge. Find out where the icebergs are by using a site like Iceberg Finder, newsgroups or local websites. Ask your friends and relatives who live in another part of the province. Check the news. Icebergs tend to be well talked about, so when they show up you’ll probably find out quickly from any of those sources.

6) Check the weather.
Check the weather and weather cams before heading out to photograph icebergs. It may be sunny where you are but foggy a few kilometres away. If the weather forecast doesn't seem to be accurate, call ahead. I've called Cape Spear in the past to check on the weather, the people who work at tourist attractions are happy to answer your questions.

7) Be careful.
Make sure you are careful when walking along the cliffs. Our shoreline can be treacherous, especially in windy, foggy and wet conditions. If you are going alone, let someone else know where you are going. Don’t get too close to the edge and be sure to wear proper footwear for the terrain.