I give lectures while on board Polar Adventure Cruises and also to clubs and societies on Antarctica, the Arctic, Polar History and Global Warming.
Topics
I also give lectures on a series of topics ranging from the Expeditions to the Himalaya. Nepal and Pakistan, to photography and wildlife especially penguins and polar bears. These digital projector presentations are based on my posters and books. If you would like me to give a presentation to a club or group, please contact me at +1 5103815088 or email me at JChester@extremeimages.com. Some of my presentations are:
The Nature of Penguins
Penguins are some of the most incredible creatures on the planet. Various species have adapted to the widest climatic range of any birds or animals. In his fully illustrated lecture Jonathan explores the evolving relationship between penguins and humans. This encompasses many dimensions ranging from penguins cultural appeal and value to science and finally man’s affect on their populations levels and habitats.
Penguins were first view as a source of supplementary food by the early sailors who at first could not decide whether penguins were fish with feathers or birds that swam. For polar explorers wintering over on the Antarctic coast penguins and their eggs were an integral part of their diet. Penguins gradually moved from the dinner table into the public spotlight as images and accounts of their antics began to filter back from these expeditions of the “Heroic Era”.
Penguins have today found their way into all walks of contemporary life. They are top tourist attractions in zoos and aquariums around the world and one of the main attractions of expedition cruises to the Antarctic.
The Nature of Penguins looks at how scientists today use penguins as an indicator species of the health of the Southern Oceans. Several species are also endangered as a result of the encroachment of civilization.
We are increasingly removed from the natural world in our daily lives. This lecture reinforces why we need to connect with the elemental qualities that penguins personify – an insouciance and wildness that is a the heart of the penguin’s existence.
Adventure Antarctic The Loneliest Mountain: The First Ascent of Mount Minto
This exciting slide presentation recounts the first ascent of the Mount Minto by the Australian Bicentennial Antarctic Expedition. Eleven modern day adventurers sailed from Australia in January 1988 bound for the for the Antarctic in a 21m steel hulled schooner. On the journey south they braved storms, a fire in the engine room and were beset in the pack ice for 36 hours. After finally making landfall at Cape Hallett on the frozen shores of Antarctica’s vast Admiralty Mountains the six mountaineers began a 100 mile trek inland to reach the base of the highest mountain in North Victoria Land Mount Minto. Shortly after leaving the coast two of the party were caught in a sudden breakout when returning to the coast to collect more fuel. Narrowly avoiding an icy end the pair were rescued by the ship’s crew. The following day revealed the party’s skidoo had also been lost in the breakout forcing them to man haul their equipment and supplies all the way to the mountain. The climbers finally achieved their goal with only days to spare, but they had to battle wind chill conditions of of minus 60 degrees C, frostbite and exhaustion. Once the mountain was conquered they still faced sledging back to the coast in blizzard conditions and weeks of force 11 gales sailing north to civilization in their now crippled ship.
This expedition was a resounding success against seemingly impossible odds. This dramatic story was the subject of the Loneliest Mountain Book and a National Geographic Explorer TV program.
“Jonathan’s dramatic retelling of this story which is now regarded as a modern classic polar expedition is great entertainment”.
“Extreme Digital Photography”
Leading polar photographer, filmmaker and author Jonathan Chester has been at the advent of digital adventure photography. In this slide’ lecture, Jonathan will demonstrate the versatility of ‘going digital’, as he shares images from his digital assignments all over the globe. Join Jonathan as he covers the first descent of the Tekeze River in Ethiopia, the first ascent of Everest by blind climber Erik Weihenmayer, and wildlife assignments in the Antarctic and Galapagos. Using examples from his latest book, “Extreme Digital Photography” (Thompson Course Technology), Jonathan will give you tips for shooting successfully in wild places or in extreme conditions, then discuss practical ways to store and share images while on the road.