I started an ice carving secrets group on Facebook with the idea that it would be even more interactive than this site. Within a few days of starting it, I’ve already found out something I didn’t know, thanks to Jim Ottens. He posted links to Patrick Endres’ photography blog, as well as a link to new Ice Alaska photos. I hadn’t seen the blog, which I guess has been there for over a year. (oops) Even better than that, for me, I found a couple photos of “beautiful chemistry” in the ice art collection that I didn’t know Patrick had taken. In case you didn’t know, Patrick Endres is widely regarded (among top level ice sculptors, at least) as the best ice art photographer in the world.

    Just before I had to fly out of Fairbanks this year, I was out at the ice park taking last minute pictures, many of which I’ve posted. While I was out there, I ran into Patrick and his assistant Andrew. They were busy shooting various pieces and I asked Patrick if he would consider adding another client at the last minute (me). As is often the case, I’d made a lot of this trip’s plans rather hastily and I’d neglected to look into whether or not Patrick would be available this year (he wasn’t last year).

    At any rate, he said he would try and get some shots and here they are. I’m sure I would have seen them eventually; Patrick wrote me today that he hadn’t had a chance to email me about them yet since the Championships just concluded. But finding out about them sooner rather than later pretty much made my day! Thanks to Patrick for fitting me in at the last minute and to Jim for pointing me in the right direction!

    For lots more fantastic ice art shots, as well as thousands of fantastic Alaska photos, including shots of the aurora, visit www.alaskaphotograhics.com.

a different look at "beautiful chemistry" © 2009 Patrick J. Endres