In this episode, I touch on some recent Travel Photographer of the Year competition news and dive into a really interesting email I received last week from a regular reader and follower of my work, the crux of which is included below:

'Hey Josh, You know I love your photography as this isn't my first email :-). You have a unique minimalist style that really sets your work apart; its truly wonderful that you not only find and create such amazing photographic art in this insane world but that you help others also achieve their photo dreams. But something has been bothering me and its these other workshop leaders who seem to be copying everything you do. I have followed you for years and watched you lead unique first of their kind trips for Arctic Fox, Greenland winter, Pallas Cat in Mongolia and more. I have also watched others copy exactly what you do. I am sure you are aware of it, but I get quite annoyed on your behalf when I see these others market themselves as 'the first', or 'class leading' or whatever term they choose to use. I have no idea if it bothers you, but I hope you continue to look forward and not back. Keep up the incredible work. I know there are many others out there who feel the same as me about your work and how you are being copied. I just wanted you to know you had some support out there and that we have your back."

Firstly, thank you so much to the author for the wonderful words about my own work. Hugely appreciated. After I received this email, I had to think long and hard about how I felt about this topic. I had a subsequent follow-up email discussion with the author, and we both decided that this topic was worthy of a podcast. It's bound to be somewhat divisive, and perhaps that's what is required at this juncture? I am unsure, and I certainly don't want to come across as arrogant, but what I do know is that I have no rear-vision mirror of consequence for those who choose to follow in this field. I have always looked forward, and I believe it's firmly up to the person choosing and booking a workshop, whether they want to go with someone who chooses to lead in their field - or someone who follows the crumbs. Every person can and should decide who they travel with and why.  Just one of the many reasons it's so important to do your homework when booking any trip. As they say, onward, forward and ever upward....

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In this episode, I wrap up both the Pallas Cat and Snow Leopard workshops to the Eastern and Western regions of Mongolia. I also announce an all now scouting trip for Snow Leopard in Mongolia for just three people in mid January, 2026. Full details:  https://jholko.com/workshops/ultimate-snow-leopard-of-mongolia

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I have just published episode 112 of my Wild Nature Photography Podcast. In this episode, we welcome the new 2025 year and season five of the podcast. I also give my thoughts and impressions on shooting Pallas cats with the Canon EOS R1 here in the far eastern Steppe region of Mongolia for the last week in the frigid winter and discuss a workaround for assigning pre-capture to a custom shooting mode.

https://jholko.com/workshops

Canon EOS R1 and EOS R5 MK2 Presets

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 In this episode, I look back at the incredible year 2024, the travel, the countries, experiences, and photographs, and I look forward to travelling and participating in workshops in 2025. 2025 kicks off in just a few days with travel from Australia to Mongolia for back-to-back workshops for Pallas Cat and Snow Leopard in both the far east and west of this amazing country. This will be quickly backed up by two back-to-back Arctic Fox workshops in the far north of Iceland. It's promising to be a huge year, and I am super keen to get underway. 

If I had to sum up 2024 in one word, it would be ‘gratitude.’ I am grateful to have shared my passion for photography with many like-minded individuals. I am likewise grateful for a safe and prosperous year and for the incredible experiences throughout the year. My sincere thanks to all who travelled and participated in one of my trips this year; it was beautiful to have such fantastic shared experiences. It was an incredible year of travel and photography that sometimes left me breathless at the pace and intensity. Don’t forget to check out my twelve favourite photographs for the year HERE.

Last and certainly not least, I wish all of you a very safe and happy New Year, and may 2025 be one of health, happiness and one of travel, amazing light, and experiences for all of you. See you in the New Year!

Trip Reports 2024

Upcoming Workshops 2025

2024 Photographs of the Year

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In this episode, I discuss my experiences with the Canon EOS R1 after photographing Emperor Pens with two of these cameras on the sea ice deep in Antarctica earlier this month. These were the world's first Canon EOS R1s to travel to Antarctica and photograph Emperor Penguins. How did they perform?

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In this episode, I discuss my thoughts on the setup of the Canon EOS R1, including what is new and improved and what is missing (but coming via firmware). I also discuss my experience with a local guide birding around Punta Arenas in South America for half a day—a few short hours just outside of town that proved highly productive.

Canon EOS R1 Lightroom Adaptive ISO Pre-sets

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In this episode, I discuss my first impressions of the new Canon EOS R1 flagship camera and my thoughts on the upcoming Emperor Penguin Antarctica expedition, with departure now just a few days away.

Canon EOS R5 MK2 and Canon EOS R1 Set-Up Guide

Photo of the Month November 2024

BenQ Webinar Nik Post Production

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In this episode, I discuss the Canon camera equipment and accessories I plan to take to Antarctica to photograph the Emperor Penguins in a few weeks. I also review the latest hardcover Volume 9 edition of the Bird Photographer of the Yearbook.

BenQ Webinar Post Production of Arctic and Antarctic Wildlife
Bird Photographer of the Year Shop

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In this episode, I give my thoughts (a short short rant) on YouTube 'Click Bait' titles in relation to the as-yet-unreleased Canon EOS R1 camera.  As of today, the 26th of October, 2024, there are no production Canon EOS R1 cameras in the hands of end users or YouTubers in Australia (according to my reliable source at Canon Australia). Production EOS R1 Cameras are still slated for mid-November delivery, and any EOS R1 cameras currently in the field in Australia are pre-production models. I also discuss a fascinating visit to a wildlife park here in Sweden called Nordens Ark that is doing work with Pallas cat research and preservation.

https://en.nordensark.se/    

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In this podcast episode, I discuss the upcoming webinars for BenQ on the post production of Arctic and Antarctic wildlife and Advanced Post-Production using Nik Software. I also discuss my thoughts on the November delivery date for the new Canon EOS R1 camera, the success of the recently completed East Greenland expedition as well as my experiences with the SKB / Think Tank Roller camera hard case.

Think Tank / SKB Camera Case blog post and the problem of flying with Camera Equipment

October Photograph of the Month

Canon EOS R5MK2 Lightroom Noise Reduction Pre-sets

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