Dry gloves can be frustrating, expensive, and difficult to manage without assistance. In this video, I explain a simple method the keeps me cozy.
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Under Thin Ice In the fall of 2018, I was shooting a film called Under Thin Ice for the Nature of Things on CBC. My colleague and fellow filmmaker Mario Cyr, suggested that we work together to get a shot of a polar bear swimming in the open water. As the icons of climate change, these amazing animals normally hunt on top of the ice, but climate change has forced them into the water to find food – a sevenfold increase of time in the water over the ice. Polar bears can swim 10 kph for 10 days without stopping…
Dive into the remarkable underwater vistas of Canada through this series on Scuba Diving Magazine. From the Arctic to the Pacific, Atlantic, and Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway, Canada has the longest coastline in the world. Eight percent of the landscape is covered by lakes, greater than any other country. I’ll never be able to experience more than a drop in the bucket of diving opportunities, but last year, I completed my goal to take a plunge in every province and territory. This five-part web series offers a peek into what gets Canadian divers excited about their home waters. PART ONE…
Reliable drysuits are critical for survival and comfort in cold water. Without proper exposure protection, one could expect to survive for less than 45 minutes in water that is near freezing. In less than 15 minutes, unconsciousness would be likely. The best drysuits are custom-tailored and manufactured with custom features. When wearing heavy layers, you still need good range of motion. A drysuit should be light and soft but also durable and flexible. A cold-water hood should be made with supple, stretchy neoprene that seals well on the face. Undergarments must be of a technical variety that will retain insulation…
Scuba regulators are life-support devices. When you use these under ice and in extreme temperatures, it is important to have confidence in their operation. Regulator free-flows are one of the most significant hazards when diving under ice or in very cold water (less than 4°C). The sudden drop in pressure causes the condition as air passes from the cylinder through the first stage. When high-pressure air passes through the first-stage, it hyper-cools the metal moving parts. In a piston reg, small ice crystals can block the piston open, causing more airflow and trapping the piston open, creating a vicious feedback…
Shooting the dancing colors of the northern lights is often a part of a trip of a lifetime. It is critical to have the right gear and settings to capture the stunning visuals to share with your friends. Bring a high-quality tripod capable of stabilization for a 10-20 second exposure. Carbon fiber is lighter and easier to handle than metal. Your camera should be capable of working in Manual Mode so that you can control aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Check the aurora forecast for your area to determine if and when they might peak. The aurora activity is described…
Jill shares her experience diving in extreme Arctic conditions while documenting the effects of climate change on the people, land, and wild life of the High North. Watch Online: CBC...
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Shooting in the polar regions offers some incredible opportunities for capturing rare wildlife sightings and natural phenomena such as the northern lights. To make the best of your trip, be prepared for the cold. The following tips will help you protect your camera, batteries, and body from the chill. Store extra batteries fully charged and warm inside your parka. I use the inside chest pocket, so they are close to my body. Bring at least three camera batteries so that you have two spares ready to go. You don’t want to miss a shot when the low temperatures shorten the…
CANADIANS - Free movie stream here (English) CANADIANS - Free movie streaming from Decouverte (French) EUROPE - Free movie streaming here (France) To download the application on iOS, click here...
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