By Gary Fong

Photographer: Dave Bartruff, www.davebartruff.com

Click Photo to Enlarge

 

 

 

There’s something serene about a sleeping Antarctic baby seal…but only the seal appreciates the peacefulness, not the photographer. 

 

Dave Bartruff, travels the world in search of images that cause viewers to dream about where he’s been.  However, getting the serene seal photos….one must first get there.

 

 

 

Most people know where the North or South Pole are…but not everyone is solid on where Antarctica might be.  Wherever it is….it’s just as cold…like ice age cold. Fortunately, Dave didn’t have to establish a full-fledged Antarctic expedition complete with sled dog teams. He was part of a more luxurious passage on a special cold weather cruise ship with a number of casual Antarctic explorers.

 

His Antarctic coverage is wonderful for travel stories, especially the baby seal image. It’s like a B&W image shot in color.  Shooting monochromatic subjects with color film always surprises the viewer with the nuance of “color” that defines the monotones.

 

The flipper in its mouth is reminiscent of a baby sucking his/her thumb.  It’s simply a warm moment in a cold climate.  The vertical format could accommodate a cover layout, where the logo of the magazine could appear.  It could also fit nicely for a lead page start a story spread.

 

All in all, it’s a very nice image that could be used for a number of stories. It’s by no accident the image could accommodate multiple usage…Dave always shoots with that in mind….not to mention pleasing viewers with delightful moments too cold for the armchair adventures.