Risto Raunio – For the Arctic and Antarctic Nature
Risto Raunio is dedicated to capturing the fragile nature of the Arctic and Antarctic. The cold theme of his images reveals the significance of this surprisingly diverse world. Photo: Jouni Klinga, Suomen Kuvausmatkat Oy
Risto Raunio’s photos have been awarded in competitions around the world. He is best known for his stunning photographs of polar bears and penguins, which he has captured in some of the world’s coldest locations – polar bears in the northern Arctic landscapes and penguins in the southern Antarctic regions, including Antarctica.
“I am in love with cold and harsh conditions,” says Raunio. “When traveling through them, I am always amazed at how wild nature thrives in these harsh yet magnificent landscapes and the conditions into which the new generation is born.”
However, the birth of new generations is no longer a given. The term “climate change” can be associated with Raunio’s pictures. In the sensitive areas south of the Antarctic Circle and north of the Arctic Circle, its effects are clearly visible. According to Raunio, species suffer, and not all can adapt in time. He has focused on capturing the nature and animals of these regions while it is still possible.
Choices behind Raunio’s stunning photographs
When taking photos around the world, the first limitations come from air travel – the allowed weight is easily exceeded. Raunio believes a tripod can be left at home. It wouldn’t keep up anyway in the fast-paced situations. However, compromises should not be made on the camera body and lens selection. Also, a laptop is essential to have on the journey. Raunio’s choice is Sony. For his journeys, he takes along two A1 bodies and multiple lenses: a 12-24 mm for macro, a 24-70 mm and a 70-200 mm for general use, and a 400 mm with a teleconverter for distant action. All lenses have an aperture of f/2.8.
Regarding technical solutions, Raunio mentions that instead of using techniques like ICM, he prefers to capture images in a more traditional manner. He seeks depth in his photos by almost always shooting at the widest aperture possible. The most atmospheric shots are taken in soft light at dawn or sunset. However, the camera’s fast shutter speed allows for using a large aperture even in brighter conditions. Raunio usually shoots with ISO set to automatic but adjusts the maximum value to 16,000.
Raunio often photographs in harsh conditions. For cold weather, he dresses in layers and makes sure to keep his head and feet warm. His equipment usually functions flawlessly in freezing temperatures – he advises keeping spare batteries in a pocket. However, humid conditions may occasionally cause contact issues. A quick fix is to detach the battery and lens, after which the camera usually resumes working. Sandstorms or sea salt can also pose challenges.
Magellanic penguins he has photographed in a sandstorm – after which the equipment was literally gritty with sand. This must be fixed immediately.
“I always carry a dust blower and a small, lightweight brush and cloth for cleaning my gear. I never use compressed air, and all my lenses have UV filters for protection – although they are not available for the largest lenses.”
Some of the challenges can be handled later on. Raunio gives his photos a final touch in Lightroom, where tools like dehaze bring out hidden tones in the sky or delicate snowflakes.
The picture of King penguins in a snowstorm has gained international recognition. The details of the photograph taken in extreme conditions have been brought out in post-processing.
Photographing individuals and groups is different. For example photographing polar bears requires not only skill but also luck, as encounters with these magnificent animals and the situations that arise are unpredictable. Meeting penguins is more predictable, but photographing them presents different challenges. Capturing large numbers of animals is not necessarily easy. According to Raunio, a good trick is to sit quietly and let the penguins come close. They are curious, and close-up shots are successful when one is patient and doesn’t disturb the animals.
“If you want a striking image of an entire emperor penguin colony, using a wide-angle lens is advisable. Then, try to find a group that stands out from other penguins and also from the background. With a clean background, you can also look for individual penguins or small groups of two or three.”
We are proud to present Raunio’s penguin collection. More images can be found on Raunio’s own website and his Instagram.
