This morning at the port in Ushuaia after some adventures in Antarctica. That morning light gets me every damn time #antarcticaordie #nofilter

(at Ushuaia, Argentina)

After 2 expeditions to Antarctica I still haven’t fully been able to process this experience. I do know that I have a newfound appreciation for the polar regions and a desire to keep exploring and learning about our planet. Before I depart for my 3rd and final expedition and close out the Antarctic season, I will leave you with this image (one of my favorites) from the Antarctic mainland of Neko Harbour. The view from this lookout is absolutely spectacular and breathtaking.

All My Best,
Reuben

#antarcticaordie (at Antarctica)

Geometric shapes left by an old whaling station at Whaler’s Bay on Deception Island. The last time we landed at Deception Island, we faced 20 knot winds and relentless snowfall to give you an idea of how quickly things can change down in Antarctica.

#antarcticaordie (at Antarctica)

Ice rules the world down in Antarctica. If you could speak to Shackleton or anyone on his Trans-Antarctic expedition in 1914, he could tell you all about it. I highly recommend the book, Endurance; it is truly one of the most remarkable stories about survival and had me in tears by the end of it.

#antarcticaordie (at Antarctica)

Chasing Ice never gets old down here #antarcticaordie (at Antarctica)

A gentoo penguin mother and chick at the Penguin Post Office in Port Lockroy. Unfortunately, this chick will most likely not survive since it got such a late start and winter is fast approaching.

#antarcticaordie (at Antarctica)

Take flight!! This is my last image before I hit the Drake again for my 2nd Antarctic expedition #antarcticaordie (at Antarctica)

A lonely iceberg #antarcticaordie (at Antarctica)

Golden Antarctic Light

#antarcticaordie (at Antarctica)

I managed to survive my first Drake Passage crossing (the Drake is the most storm torn sea in the world)!

Antarctica is out of this world and truly behind description. No matter how hard I try, I don’t think my images will ever do this place justice.

But I hope my images can at least somehow give you an idea of how wild, raw, dramatic, and wonderful this place is.

I am forever grateful to be able to share these moments with you.

#antarcticaordie

\ NOTHING BUT WHALE \

My first Antarctic expedition was truly one for the books!

This was one of my favorite moments, seeing a humpback whale breach repeatedly for over an hour near the bow of our ship. At one point I actually had to choose between photographing the breaching whale or orcas.

According to one of our naturalists, this was quite a rare sighting so I feel very fortunate to have witnessed it even though my hands froze!

#antarcticaordie

(at Antarctica)

\ I FOUND THE MILKY WAY \

I think these images will be a defining moment in my career, not just because of the images themselves but for the process, determination, tenacity, hard work, patience, courage, and luck it took to make them a reality and bring them to life.

I specifically came to the Atacama Desert with the sole purpose of seeing the Milky Way and capturing these images. Foolishly, I did not research the phases of the moon and arrived at the worst time. It was a hard lesson to learn but an important one. So I was a bit sad after I arrived and felt defeated. I decided to wait around for the new moon, passing the time here with yoga, reading, and mountain biking with friends.

The past 4 nights I’ve woken up (or in some cases didn’t sleep at all) at 3 am, and rode a bike, in true expedition fashion, several kilometers out into the desert alone to capture this image and many others like it. It’s a bit scary riding out into the pitch black desert alone, but it’s absolutely worth it. I learned some constellations and used the southern cross to guide me. I was lucky because the past 4 night have been totally clear, unlike last week. I can’t begin to describe the feeling of lying down beneath the clear, dark, moonless sky of the Atacama Desert with not a single soul or light in sight other than the Milky Way and the stars above me. It is totally peaceful, serene, magical, beyond beautiful, humbling, and absolutely mind blowing/breathtaking. I’ve never felt such a strong feeling of fulfillment and joy seeing the Milky Way bulge rise, and taking in all of the stars surrounding me. Not to mention, the shooting stars (meteors) are so numerous out here and are like none I have ever seen before. We truly live in an extraordinary galaxy and all the stars seem to align perfectly.

I must thank astrophotographers @nicholasbuer and Dr. José Francisco Salgado for guiding me from halfway across the world. These images would not have been possible without their help and guidance.

I hope this image inspires you in one way or another.

All My Best,
Reuben

#antarcticaordie #milkywaygalaxy

(at Atacama Desert, Northern Chile)

Gearing up for another Mars adventure with the Chileans. I can’t wait to share some images of the Milky Way coming soon!! #antarcticaordie

(at Atacama Desert, Northern Chile)

I made some Chilean friends and then we went to the edge of Mars.

On a serious note, I’m learning some hard lessons out here in the desert while I continue to search for the Milky Way…

#antarcticaordie #searchingforthemilkyway

(at San Pedro de Atacama, Chile)

\ BBOYING IN BOLIVIA \

Air baby rainbow freeze at the edge of a cliff. This goes out to my bboy and bgirl community back in NYC!

#antarcticaordie #dontwalkdance (at Bolivia)

I’ve never been surrounded by so many tall mountains before in my entire life. The highest mountain out here is nearly 23,000 ft, and is the highest mountain outside of Asia #antarcticaordie (at Bolivia)

Reflections and the sunrise at sometime between 4 and 5 am on the salt flats

#antarcticaordie (at Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia)

“Bring the pure wine of
love and freedom.
But sir, a tornado is coming.
More wine, we’ll teach this storm
A thing or two about whirling.” ― Rumi

#antarcticaordie (at Bolivia)

Exploring the Train Cemetery #thatslife #antarcticaordie (at Train Cemetery Uyuni)

These mountains make you feel very small #antarcticaordie (at Bolivia)