The Lost Photographs of Captain Scott: Unseen Images from the Legendary Antarctic Expedition [Hardcover]

I really, but really enjoyed "The lost photographs of Captain Scott". The book made me see Scott in a different light.
I always doubted that Scott interest in science was motivated exclusively by his Pole seeking aspirations. Science for him was what would assure greatness in case he fell short of the Pole.

The lost photographs shattered the bias I had. He clearly, and wholeheartedly embraced photography, leaving us with a monumental legacy. Tutored by the great Herbert Ponting, Scott in dismal conditions with less than ideal photographic equipment, learned his trade. On the Polar Journey, even after horrendous and brutal sledging days, when he no doubt set up camp completely exhausted, he draw what little energy was left, march some more with heavy and cumbersome equipment and took pictures that will stand forever in Antarctica's great exploration's history.

Here is some pictures he took:

Page 68: Birdie Bowers and Anton Omelchenko chasing the pony Victor gone on a joyride!
Page 88: Breath-taking shot of the Ferrar Glacier with camp in foreground.
Page 115-116-117: Pony camp. Those pictures clearly show us what was the work involved in building the ice-wall erected to protect the ponies from the chilling winds.
Page 125-126-127: Ponies on the march. Those shots features the white, dull surroudings in which Scott's team traveled. The loneliness explodes from the book.
Page 151: On the Beardmore, Bower, Cherry-Garrard, Keohane and Crean trying with all their might to move a heavily packed sledge stuck in deep snow while Uncle Bill Wilson pushed. 1 000 000 words would not describe this image.

Those are only a small sample of what Scott's photographic testament is all about.

The photographic testament is almost as great as his dairy, and that's saying a lot.

Bottom line, anybody interested in the Terra Nova expedition MUST get this book.

At first glance, the book appears as a catalog of Captain Scott's long lost photographs detailing his scientific mission in Antarctica, and the arduous trek to the south pole from which he and his small band of men never returned. But the book is much more than that. It is written by David Wilson, the great nephew of of Edward Wilson, who was Scott's close friend, and who perished with him on the return trip from the pole. David's great uncle Edward was, first and foremost, a scientist and a gifted artist whose sketches of the Antarctic terrain were, in the early 20th century, the principle means by which explorers and scientists visually recorded for others what they themselves had seen. But a new technological age was dawning, and photography was one of the advances that was being slowly adopted by hobbyists, first, then by scientists who used cameras in their field work. David Wilson therefore has a very special point of view which enables him not merely to produce a book of pictures and captions, but also a tell us a story, and give us a faithful record, of the polar mission.

Scott, Wilson and Evans are three of the most well remembered explorers who sought to learn about Antarctica and to plant the British flag at the pole. But David Wilson's narrative introduces us to Herbert Ponting, without whom there would scarcely be any photographic evidence of the expedition whatsoever. Ponting was among the eminent photographers of his day. And Scott, as an innovator, quickly understood how he might contribute to the scientific undertaking of the expedition. Herbert Ponting was persuaded by Scott -without too much effort- to join the party. This gives us a glimpse of Scott's character and nature. He understood the scientific purpose of his trip, and he appreciated the technical assets and technical talent which would advance and support their mission. If Ponting was eager to become part of the quest, then Scott was just as enthusiastic about leaning how to take photographs. In that day, it was not mere "point and shoot." Equipment was awkward, large, and heavy; hardly suited to a trek where the weight of equipment and goods must be carefully calculated to be borne over a barren terrain which only sapped the strength of man and beast. Likewise, technique was essential; the equipment was no more forgiving of error then was the environment in which it was deployed.

David Wilson tells us that composition was important to making a good photographic record; objects in the foreground must serve to mirror the subject matter in the distance, and guide the viewer's eye into the over-all scene, as if you were there. And so it is with Wilson's story. The photographs and narrative are a kind of metaphor for the larger purposes at hand; the scientific investigations, the trip to the pole. And all of this falls within the context of human endeavor, struggle and heroism; the character of people, personalities; the almost unbelievable challenges of a climate which is alternately sub-zero, then unexpectedly balmy, and deadly in either case. The story, and the way the story is written, is compelling and it is balanced. You come away knowing what happened and how it happened and why it happened. And, yes, you see, literally see, the evidence.

And let this work put an end to the arguments about whether Scott was primarily interested in a "race" to the pole for the honor of his country, or was most dedicated to a mission of discovery and scientific inquiry. The sheer bulk of equipment and talents of the people argue strongly that a spirit of inquiry and a drive to broaden knowledge was the essential purpose. But perhaps more convincing are the many diary entries and personal notes which more clearly than anything else reveal motive and inspiration.

You may place this book on your coffee-table, but don't start to read it until you are prepared to settle in for hours at a time. I suggest you keep a sweater nearby, because, no matter what the temperature, you'll feel the cold. In the end, the book is a brilliant exposition which reveals the historical context of the undertaking, the broad strokes of the quest, and the details of the efforts to record the endeavor. Wilson's work is a welcome addition on the shelves of historians, scientists, serious photographers, and those who simply want to know, "what happened?"

Highly recommended.

As an avid reader of Polar exploration books, this was not new information in most ways about the expedition - but it was very interesting to see the artistic side of Scott and his men - and to be able to "experience" the wonders and horrors of that fatal expedition through the photos. A picture is truly worth a thousand words, but it was invaluable to have the commentary of a descendant of one who gave his life on that mission. Whatever one thinks of Scott - and how can he be judged fairly by a time that is so different from his own - he showed courage and daring in the service of a scientific and romantic dream . . .and he and his men and animals deserve remembrance. Indeed, I was glad to see that the larger role the animals were given in this photojournal - they gave their all and were much appreciated and mourned by the men who had hoped they might be able to make the journey. I recommend this to others like myself who will never make this trek, but who never tire of learning about those who have.

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