Arctic models: @ 30 below ZERO !

[Majik_Imaje]

From the TOP OF THE WORLD !! Seven miles out on the frozen ocean ice pack - yes it is 30 below zero !! I spent 1/2 hour with this child and only exposed one frame.



This child was sitting on the seat of a snowmobile (snowmachine). I walked up to her and asked her if I could create a portrait of her, she smiled and said yes! As I raised the camera, she began to smile, I stopped, brought the camera down and said NO! DO NOT DO THAT, I want you to look right past me, look through me, I am not here, I raised the camera again, and again she began to smile. I stopped again. ( I already knew in advance exactly what I wanted) I could see it before I approached her.

Again I brought the camera up - and waited - then I saw that look. YES YES YES !! -=[click]=-

[shmelly]

Excellent portrait Majik, so much feeling and oh so cold.

[Majik_Imaje]

Thanks for your input shmelly - but 30 below zero is NOT COLD !! Not here in Alaska in the upper regions of the Arctic, 30 below is a nice day !!

now 50 below with 30 mph winds - is a completly different story all together!!

Let me show you children playing outside for days non -stop! They appear to be on the beach - instead of in sub zero weather !!



In Fact: When walking I could hear children giggling behind a huge wall of ice I was passing, when I came into view - the girl on the left said - Wanna see me eat snow ?? !

[shmelly]

How gorgeous, they do look like they are playing at the beach, I guess they are just so happy to be outside.

[Majik_Imaje]

Even though it is 40 below zero and windy - these children will stay out and play out all day long !!

As I was walking through the village Easter Sunday morning @ 9:00 a.m. - I could hear children yelling behind a house I was passing. They were speaking Inupiaq (eskimo language). Killamaq - (hurry up) Killamaq (hurry up) samma (look I show you) Agviq Agviq (whale whale) !!



They copy their parents !! Chasing the mighty bowhead whale !!

Notice the sled under their 'boat'.

They copy their parents in every detail !!

Believe it or not - We live out on the ocean ice for two months, the hunters sleep outside with no tents !


We are seven miles out on the frozen ocean ice pack. We have to chop ice, by hand to make a road. This takes one month with no pay, the only reward, is you get to eat !!

[Majik_Imaje]

Happy people ! They never complain - about anything !

[shmelly]

Wow Majik, I've been sitting here complaining about the heat and the dry that we have at the moment but I think I would take that over living in ice. I don't know how anyone could live their life in the ice. The children all look so happy and healthy, I guess it's a totally different life style.
And welcome to DPS.

[Ella1267]

AMAZING.....I would be freezing my butt off. Excellent shots. I can't believe everyone looks like it is not cold and they just go about their daily lives.....excellent shots.

[Tenzin'sMom]

Majik, what wonderful photos -- I loved them all! Such beautiful, happy children, and you've captured them so very well. (They are delightful reminders of the years I taught school in Glennallen, Alaska, in the late 1970's -- my students taught me that 20 below wasn't really cold! Although as I recall, school was cancelled at 50 below as that was considered the point at which the cold would be unsafe for little ones if the school bus broke down!) Anyhow, every one of your photos here is a beauty, and the child's expression just tugs on my heart. And beautiful lighting and textures of the parka and the fur ruff. Thanks so much for sharing these with us.

[architkataria]

Simply amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed watching each and every picture here. Thank you!