Audun Rikardsen

A love of the Arctic led Norwegian marine biologist and Canon Ambassador Audun Rikardsen to blaze a trail that combined both his passions.

It's fair to say there aren't many photographers like Audun. Not only is he a professional wildlife photographer, but he is also a science professor at UiT, The Arctic University of Norway. He possesses talent, knowledge and resources that have allowed him to capture spectacular scenes above and below the water and, just as often, in-between the two with equipment adapted for split-level photography.

Audun's close-up yet wide-angle images typically feature whales, caribou, eagles and other birds, as well as many species of fish and invertebrates. Expect to see an Arctic creature basking in the icy seas below the low-lit backdrop of snow-clad landscapes, or enigmatic night skies illuminated by the Northern Lights. "I often get ideas for 'impossible' pictures that have not been taken before," he explains.

The result is a unique perspective, leading to some truly incredible images that have been greeted with international acclaim and an impressive collection of accolades, including a Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio award and the Fritz Pölking Prize. Audun has also been named the overall winner of the Siena International Photo Awards, the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the Arctic Photographer of the Year (two times), the Nordic Photographer of the Year (three times) and the Norwegian Nature Photographer of the Year.

Growing up in the small fishing community of Steigen, in Northern Norway, inspired Audun's two loves, biology and photography; but it was as a science professor completing Arctic fieldwork on Bear Island in 2009 that his photographic ambitions became reality. Two years later he won his first major international award and his photography career took off.

Audun admits that it's a challenge to have two jobs and to be a father to his young daughter. However, being able to combine his photography and his science work can save him time and give him opportunities that he otherwise might not have had. "It is a great advantage to have the scientific knowledge of the ecosystem I photograph," he says. "This helps me to take better pictures, and also to tell the full story behind them. I often use my pictures to publicise my scientific work, and I've seen what a powerful tool pictures can be in this regard. It is often the pictures that sell the stories to the media. Therefore, combining my photography and science is a win-win situation."

Audun's unique skill set has led to him becoming a highly sought-after speaker, competition judge and tutor, and his images have frequently appeared in the Norwegian and international press, including National Geographic, GEO, BBC Wildlife Magazine and others. He has also made frequent appearances on television programmes and documentaries, talking about both his photography and his scientific research. In 2016, he became Tromsø's citizen of the year, and in 2019 he won the Research Council of Norway's Award for Excellence in Communication of Science.

What focus type do you use?

"Usually Single Point AF; I place the focus towards the edge of the image in order to compose the picture as much as possible in camera. Many photographers prefer to use a centre focus and then compose the picture by cropping it in post, but they will lose pixels. However, the new 'intelligent focus' of the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R6 is just amazing. I am now starting to use the full field of focus points because these cameras are just so good at following and locking the focus on your target without switching to other objects."


Do you use a tripod or do you prefer shooting handheld?

"With the exception of most of my night shots and when I'm using camera traps, I rarely use tripods. I find I'm much more flexible without one – and I often like to get down for a very low perspective."


What do you do in post-production?

"Adjustments such as colour temperature, exposure, sharpness and contrast. My split-level shots are obviously high contrast, so I adjust the highlights and shadows to make the final image appear closer to the way our eyes would see it."


What's been the toughest Arctic species to shoot?

"The white-tailed eagle. I wanted images that had never been taken before: a wide close-up of the eagle grabbing a fish from the water, and one from a fish's perspective underwater. It took years to develop the right system and find the right eagles, light, wind and current conditions to make it finally happen. But it was worth it!"


What's the best way for a new wildlife photographer to develop their skills?

"Practise as a 'couch photographer'. Play with your camera on your sofa and learn all of its possibilities and functions. That way you know exactly what to do when a possibility appears in the field, increasing your chances of a successful and unique picture."

"Many photographers overlook their own backyard. It's a myth that you need to travel on long, organised trips to remote areas to take unique wildlife pictures. This has become even more relevant since the Covid-19 situation began. Going on organised trips may give you great experiences, but you'll probably just get the same shots as all the other participants. Explore your own surroundings, even if it is just your garden, city park or local riverbank. Then you can take your time and be in the right place at the right time. With some planning and creativity, you'll create unique, self-made images that are hopefully different from other pictures."

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Website: www.audunrikardsen.com