British Antarctic Expedition
Captain Scott, R.N. CVO, February 1911, Herbert Ponting ©
Scott and his men reached Antarctica on board the Terra Nova on 31 December 1910. The expedition had several aims that were scientific in nature, but the principal goal for Scott was to lead the first team to the South Pole.
Following his earlier polar experience on the Discovery expedition of 1901–4, Scott realised the importance of good photographic images for fund-raising and publicising the achievements of the expedition. Scott employed the photographer Herbert Ponting to accompany him. This was the first time a professional photographer had been included in an Antarctic expedition.
Ponting had previously worked in the United States and Asia. He had a great deal of experience, and during his time in Antarctica, he produced around 2,000 glass plate negatives as well as making films. Ponting also taught photography to Scott and other members of the team so that they could record their assault on the Pole.
In March 1912 Ponting left the Antarctic, according to previously-laid plans. After his return to Britain, Ponting exhibited his work and lectured widely about Scott, thus ensuring that his photographs became inextricably linked with Scott and the heroic age of Antarctic exploration.
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Captain Scott, R.N. CVO
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Self-portrait with cinematographic camera
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Cirrus clouds over the Barne Glacier
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The Terra Nova in McMurdo Sound
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The Castle Berg with dog Sledge
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Tabular iceberg off Cape Royds
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The Stony Stare
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The ramparts of Mount Erebus
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The Terra Nova at the ice foot, Cape Evans
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The Terra Nova icebound in the pack
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The Terra Nova in a gale
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The Glad Eye
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Weddell seal about to dive, Cape Evans
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The hut at Cape Evans
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Grotto in an iceberg
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
A weathered iceberg
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
End of the Barne Glacier
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The freezing of the sea
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Weddell seal on the beach at Cape Evans
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Petty Officer Evans and Snatcher the pony
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Captain Oates and Siberian ponies on board Terra Nova
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The Shore Party
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
The winter journey to Cape Crozier
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Dr Atkinson and Clissold hauling up the fish trap, -40°C
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Captain Scott's last birthday dinner
Henry Robertson 'Birdie' Bowers (1883-1912)
The Polar party and their sledge
Henry Robertson 'Birdie' Bowers (1883-1912)
Forestalled. Amundsen's tent at the South Pole
Tryggve Gran (1889-1980)
The grave on the Great Ice Barrier
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Vida
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Osman, 'our best sledge dog'
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Midnight in the Antarctic summer
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Furrows of frozen spray
National Antarctic Expedition (1901-1904)
National Antarctic Expedition 1901-1904: Album of Photographs and Sketches with a Portfolio of Panoramic Views
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Petty Officer Edgar Evans
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Captain Oates
Apsley Benet Cherry-Garrard (1886-1959)
The South Polar Times. Vol. 3, April to October 1911.
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Captain Scott writing his diary
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Dr Edward Adrian Wilson
Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935)
Lieutenant Henry Robertson Bowers
Robert Falcon Scott (1868-1912)
