Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/593532
dennis fast, andrew penner (truck) W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 | G O I N G P L A C E S 25 your gear outside so it can adjust, rather than taking it in and out of a lodge or a vehicle. It's the significant temperature f luctuations and the associated condensation that is the most problematic." Of course, problematic is just one way to describe dealing with a wind chill factor of -74 C, which is what Fast and a group of Japanese photographers encountered at Dymond Lake Lodge (a short flight from Churchill) a number of years ago. "That was the worst blizzard I've ever had to deal with," recalls Fast. "It lasted three days. I had three pairs of thermal underwear on and a snow- mobile suit overtop, plus three toques and three layers of gloves, including massive snowmobile mitts, and you couldn't last for more than a few minutes outside. The wind was so br utal a tr ipod was completely useless. We got a few images handholding our cameras when the storm eased; however, the weather won on that occasion. The goal was to shoot the northern lights with igloos in the foreground. Unfortunately, we just couldn't really survive in the foreground." For wildlife photographers, enduring extreme winter temperatures is even more challenging given the stationary nature of the work. "It's one thing if you are active and moving around in those temperatures, [but] when you're standing still the cold is that much more intense," says Fast. "Unfortu- nately, stomping your feet, clapping your hands or screaming how ridiculously cold you are isn't likely going to work in your favour when you're trying to photograph a skittish animal or a polar bear that might be out looking for a meal. ey have been known to settle for a human when a seal isn't readily available. Obviously, safety is always a para- mount concern." (It's common for photogra- phers in bear country to be accompanied by an armed guard with a high-powered rifle or shotgun in case an animal charges.) "In order to get the money shots, you've got to be standing by your camera ready for the action," says Fast. "If you're in the vehicle waiting by the heater you'll often miss out. I remember photographing a female bear with a couple of cubs a few years back. The cubs were active for just 15 minutes a day. e tem- perature was -50 C. at definitely took some perseverance, but those of us who withstood that were definitely rewarded." Over the course of his 35-year career as a photographer, Fast has been rewarded countless times, coming away with breathtak- ing imagery from his shoots. His best shots – A rusty truck catches the author's eye.