Aerial Pictures Reveal a Wild Arctic Wonderland
Florian Ledoux wants his photography to tell the story of the region, and help to save it in the process.
Wild and bracingly beautiful, the Arctic captured photographer Florian Ledoux’s heart at age ten. “The scale of the landscape and the incredible species that live there draw me to the Arctic. I was deeply touched when I took my first journey above the Arctic Circle and that feeling continues to intensify as I explore further,” says Ledoux.
These days, Ledoux finds himself traversing land and sky in Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and beyond, with a focus on capturing footage of the landscape and wildlife. While working as photojournalist in the French Navy, Ledoux honed his skills on a personal project where he photographed Greenland’s Inuit culture and their relationship with the land. He has entered a number of his photos into the 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest.
In 2017, Ledoux sailed off in search of polar bears near Canada’s Tremblay Sound. After an unsuccessful night of searching, Ledoux and his team encountered a large piece of ice the next day that held promise—the ice was ideal for polar bears to hunt prey. As they approached the area, the group found what they were looking for—four polar bears hopping from ice sheet to ice sheet, scouting for seals. To find a new perspective of the scene, Ledoux captured the bears wandering the ice from above: “I used a drone to capture aerials because drones bring a new perspective to traditional wildlife photography.” On top of the challenges the Arctic poses for drones—from extreme cold to the magnetic poles impacting devices and even compass errors—Ledoux operated his drone from the moving sailboat to create his images.
Ledoux approaches all habitats with care, researching animal behavior and spending time learning about wildlife before he is in the field. He seeks to photograph the larger story of the Arctic and the animals that live there against the odds. “For me there is no better feeling than being close to them and sharing space. I will always remember my first polar bear encounter—I cried during the three hours we stayed near them.”
The Arctic has become the photographer’s home away from home and drives his photographic passion. “Those moments are incredible to me, something happens within me—it is a deep vibe that consumes all my body and soul. It’s what I live for. When I photograph, I’m somewhere else.”
What’s next for Ledoux? He plans to work on his long-term Arctic project, capturing aerial footage at different times of the year. In the meantime, he’s guiding Arctic tours with his partner to help educate visitors and share his photographic passion.
See more of Florian Ledoux's photography at florian-ledoux.com and on Instagram at @florian_ledoux_photographer.
Think you have the winning photo? Enter your best nature photography for a chance to be named the 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year. Submissions end November 17th.
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest