Why You Never Leave Your Camera Behind

Antarctic fieldwork is often defined by instruments, sampling protocols, and long days on the water. But sometimes, it’s an unexpected moment captured by a camera that resonates the most.

In a recent LTER Network story, A lesson on why you never leave your camera behind, PAL graduate student Michael Cappola shared how the photos he collected during his voyages to Antartica led to a deeply personal science‑and‑art collaboration with his sister-in-law Abigail Willis.

One of Michael’s photographs of the R/V Gould, captured during the PAL field season, inspired Abigail to paint her own version. This led to a larger collaboration, where Abigail asked Michael to share more photos and scientific figures from his research that she could create new artworks from. The resulting collection showcases how art can unexpectedly help us communicate the importance and value of research in Antarctica in new ways.

Michael’s story emphasizes how sometimes small choices, like bringing a camera into the field, can lead to new collaborations that allow us to share what we do with others.

Read the full story on the LTER Network website