Photographing the red sailboats in Icefjord, Ilulissat
In Ilulissat, the red sailboats drifting among the icebergs create a scene that feels almost unreal, especially at sunset. As the day winds down the sky slowly shifts from golden hues to deep, dusky purples. This is when the sailboats come alive against the backdrop of the Icefjord, their rich red sails glowing in the fading light.
Tips for photographing the red sailboats at Ilulissat
Photographing the red sailboats in Ilulissat from another boat presents a unique challenge, but with the right approach, you can capture stunning, dynamic images of these vibrant vessels against the Arctic landscape. Here are 12 tips to help you make the most of your photography experience.
1. Use a Fast Shutter Speed
When photographing from a moving boat, both your platform and the subject (the sailboats) will be in motion. To avoid motion blur, use a fast shutter speed—around 1/500s or faster. This will help freeze the movement of the water and the boat while keeping the sailboats sharp in the frame, especially in shifting light conditions as the boats move between icebergs.
2. Take Advantage of Changing Light
The light around sunset in Ilulissat can change dramatically in a short time. Be prepared to adjust your camera settings quickly as the light fades. Start by shooting in the golden hour with softer light, and continue through sunset for deeper, more dramatic colours. Shoot in RAW to retain as much detail as possible, giving you flexibility when editing to adjust exposure and contrast without losing quality.
3. Look for Reflections in the Water
Calm Arctic waters can provide stunning reflections, especially of the sailboats’ bright red sails. Keep an eye out for moments when the water is still enough to capture these reflections. This will add symmetry and an extra layer of interest to your compositions. Aim to include both the sailboat and its reflection in the same frame, balancing the image to emphasize the contrast between the vibrant red and the cool tones of the water and ice.
4. Use a Zoom Lens to Isolate the Boats
A zoom lens, such as a 70-200mm or 100-400mm, will allow you to focus on the sailboats while still keeping some of the dramatic iceberg scenery in the background. This gives you the flexibility to capture a variety of compositions, from wider shots of the boats surrounded by icebergs to close-ups of the sails catching the light. The zoom will help you adjust to varying distances, especially as your boat will move unpredictably.
5. Compose with the Icebergs and Sky
To create a sense of scale and drama, include the towering icebergs and expansive Arctic sky in your compositions. Try to frame the red sailboats against the icebergs, using the stark contrast of colour and texture to create dynamic images. Alternatively, you can photograph the sailboats with the colourful sky behind them during sunset, allowing the soft hues of the sky to contrast with the bold red sails and the cool tones of the surrounding ice.
6. Stabilise Your Camera
Since you’re shooting from a moving boat, camera shake can be a real issue, even with a fast shutter speed. If possible, use image stabilisation (available in some lenses and cameras) to help reduce the impact of small movements.
7. Shoot in Burst Mode
To account for the unpredictable movement of both your boat and the sailboats, set your camera to burst or continuous shooting mode. This will allow you to capture a series of shots quickly, increasing your chances of getting a sharp, well-composed image even as the boats move. It’s especially useful for capturing those fleeting moments when the light hits just right or when the boat’s sails billow in the wind.
8. Play with Angles and Perspectives
Try shooting from a lower angle by crouching or sitting to capture the sailboats from a more dramatic perspective. This can make the sailboats appear larger and more imposing against the icebergs. Experimenting with different angles from the boat will add variety to your images and help you find creative compositions. Don’t be afraid to move around your boat to get the best vantage points.
9. Watch the Wind and Sails
The wind is key to how the sails move and catch the light. Pay attention to how the wind fills the sails and how the boats are angled. Wait for moments when the sails are fully extended and catch the sunset light for a more dynamic shot. Timing your shot to coincide with gusts of wind can create beautiful, flowing shapes in the sails, adding energy and movement to the image.
10. Consider Using a Polarising Filter
A polarising filter can help reduce glare from the water and make the colours in the sky and the red sails more vivid. It can also help increase the contrast between the sailboats and the icebergs, making the boats stand out more clearly. Just be cautious when using it in low light, as it can reduce the amount of light entering your lens, so ensure your exposure settings can compensate.
11. Include Human Elements for Scale
If there are people aboard the sailboats, try to include them in your composition to emphasize the scale of the boats and the surrounding environment. A tiny figure in the frame can add a sense of adventure and perspective, making the vastness of the icebergs and the open fjord feel even more awe-inspiring.
12. Don’t be afraid of changing weather
Don’t shy away from photographing the red sailboats in changing weather conditions; heavy skies or mist rolling across the fjord can add a layer of mystique to your images. The interplay of light and shadow during overcast days can create dramatic atmospheres, with the sails standing out vividly against the moody or hazy backdrop.
When to see the sailboats on Icefjord
The red sailboats sail across the Icefjord close to Ilulissat most evenings in the summer. They are run for photographers and sailing enthusiasts but can be enjoyed on the daily cruises across the fjord. The boats will spend time around the large icebergs as their passengers photograph each other and fly their drones giving you plenty of time to admire them.
The first moments of sunset are warm and golden, casting long shadows across the water. The red sails catch the last rays of the sun, creating a vibrant contrast against the cool whites and blues of the icebergs. As the boats move slowly through the fjord, they seem to dance with the ice—small but bold splashes of colour in a world dominated by towering ice formations. The light reflects off the water, doubling the scene, and giving the sailboats a floating, weightless quality.
As the sun sinks lower, the mood changes. The landscape takes on a softer, more muted tone, with the reds of the sails deepening to rich, almost crimson shades. The sky transitions from gold to soft pinks and purples, creating a magical, otherworldly glow. At this point, the sailboats become silhouetted against the darkening sky, their shapes sharp against the icebergs, that now loom larger and more imposing in the twilight. There’s a peacefulness here, a kind of stillness that only comes with the Arctic sunset, where time feels like it slows down and every detail becomes more vivid.
The icebergs take on different forms in the fading light, their sharp edges softened by the sunset’s glow. The red sailboats weave between them, their movements deliberate and calm, as if they too are savouring the moment. As the light continues to fade, the contrast between the boats and their surroundings becomes even more pronounced. The red sails, still catching the last remnants of daylight, stand starkly against the shadows gathering over the ice and water. This is when the scene feels most dramatic—where the boats and icebergs together create a silhouette that seems to stretch into the horizon.
One of the most striking aspects of seeing the red sailboats at sunset is how the changing light affects the scene. Just minutes earlier, the boats were glowing in the golden light of the setting sun, but as dusk takes over, the reds have turned darker, almost blending into the shadows. Yet they still stand out, bold against the ice, which has taken on soft pastel tones from the lingering light. The interplay between the boats, icebergs, and sky is mesmerising, the reds, whites and blues swirling together in a palette that constantly shifts as the sun disappears behind the horizon.
Then comes the quiet afterglow, when the sky holds onto its last bit of light before darkness takes over. The boats, still moving through the fjord, are now dark silhouettes against the ice. The water, reflecting the colours of the sky, mirrors this quiet transformation. There’s a peacefulness in this moment, as if the boats are part of a timeless rhythm, a slow, deliberate journey through one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Sunset in Ilulissat is more than just an ending to the day, it’s a reminder of the ever-changing nature of the Arctic. And for those red sailboats, it’s the perfect stage to drift quietly between the icebergs, casting bold shadows and rich colours into the cool evening air, creating memories that last long after the light has faded.
