100% of all sales goes to a reputable non-profit organization that helps to protect the Arctic. The Arctic plays a key role in safeguarding Earth’s unique atmosphere. It is presently threatened by accelerated climate degradation, increased road construction, shipping traffic, oil and gas exploration, ocean pollution, and mining. Scientists project that the Arctic Ocean will be completely ice-free by the summer of 2030. When combined with Arctic land ice loss, this will result in massive extinctions and population disruptions, irreversibly changing life on Earth as we know it. We all depend on the Arctic to keep the global climate stable, to keep methane and carbon dioxide below its surface from escaping into the atmosphere, and to keep sea levels from rising.


Mark Rivera Recommended Gear

Recommended Gear


CAMERAS

My go-to cameras in the field are the Nikon D750 and the Nikon D810. Around the early 2000’s digital photography began to surpass film in terms of popularity, quality, and proficiency. Although film has seen a new era recently as some still compare the differences in film and digital to the comparisons between disco and digital music, I find the ability and flexibility to shoot continuously with no added cost and with instant gratification of having a built in monitor to review captures to be invaluable over shooting film. I find being able to evaluate the zoom for focus, the histogram, for exposure, and being able to review captures on the built in monitor are the main reasons I use these powerful DSLR cameras.


LENSES & FILTERS

Nikon 200-500 f/5.6 and Nikon 20mm 1/.8 are my prime workhorse lenses and are with me at all times during my travels.


EQUIPMENT & TRAVEL

With longer lenses, camera shake will become more likely to become inevitable. A study tripod can reduce this exponentially and is a must to have. A quality ball head like the Kirk BH-1  I use, and a cable release for your camera will also contribute to ensuring maximum stability. I use a Nikon shutter release cable. I pack the majority of my gear in my Tilopa with an extra large ICU for ease while backpacking.


COMPUTERS & ACCESSORIES

I do all of my editing on a powerful MacBook Pro. The Retina Display technology displays unmatched high quality images with unparalleled depth wherever I am in the world. You’ll also need a powerful software program for that such as the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan which gives you access to the best, unmatched, most indispensable tools in your arsenal – Lightroom and Photoshop. I use photoshop and camera raw as my main workhorse workflow. For massive storage I use G-Technology portable SSD drives and G-DRIVE PRO with Thunderbolt that will easily transfer today’s large file sizes quickly and efficiently. For videography, I use Final Cut Pro as its high speeds can process editing, audio, and motion graphics is an immersive and responsive way.  


My Iceland Experience

My Recent Photographic Expeditions