Arctic explorer Martin Hartley to capture moments in history with LEICA MP
1 March 2010: Arctic explorer and photographer, Martin Hartley, left the UK last week equipped with a specially-tested LEICA MP camera with LEICA ELMARIT-M 24mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens as part of his expedition equipment – vital for capturing the historic photos during his latest journey to the North Pole for the Catlin Arctic Survey. Martin is one of three explorers on the 2010 Catlin Arctic Survey, which is focused on capturing scientific data on how CO2 affects marine life in the Arctic.
One of the world’s leading expedition photographers, Martin Hartley has documented 19 unique polar assignments and is one of the only professional photographers to have crossed the Arctic Ocean on foot and with dogs: Adventure Ecology Top of the World Trans-Arctic Expedition 2006, and Catlin Arctic Survey 2009 – an international collaboration between polar explorers and some of the world’s foremost scientific bodies to help determine how long the Arctic Ocean sea ice cover will remain a permanent feature of our planet.
Martin Hartley commented, “Despite 19 polar photographic assignments over the last 12 years, there are still ‘impossible’ images to capture. At the start of every expedition on the Arctic Ocean in late February/March, it is difficult to survive let alone operate a camera due to the severe conditions. Below minus 40 degrees Celsius, electronic circuits slow down and become unreliable. The mechanical LEICA MP will give me the best chance of capturing those elusive, extremely cold photographs this time, which may be our last opportunity to do so.”
The expedition will take three months from start to finish. The progress of the expedition, which commenced on 25 February 2010 starting from Canada, will be documented at www.catlinarcticsurvey.com and on a special micro-site at www.martinhartleypolar.com. Updates will also be communicated regularly via Twitter @ArcticSurvey.
During his trip, Martin will regularly send back film for developing, and images from the expedition will be posted regularly on his web site.
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