In 1976, Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott abandoned the usual expectations of Western culture to live with a group of Umingmaktormiut Inuit people in the Canadian Arctic. It was with the Inuit that they learned to live a life where time seldom mattered and did away with things not essential to survival.
This adventure in the Canadian Arctic led to the first of eight articles Momatiuk and Eastcott contributed to National Geographic magazine. The two have explored the world's cultures and wild sanctuaries for 35 years -- traveling from the Pribilof Archipelago to the Australian Outback, from the Louisiana swamps to the grasslands of Wyoming and from Patagonia to Northern Labrador.
Their talk will focus on the several months spent exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia Island on a small sailboat. Their photos will showcase their passion for the extreme landscape and abundant wildlife of the Polar South. "You cannot believe places like this exist," said Chris Johns, editor of National Geographic magazine.
Find out what's happening in Brentwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Momatiuk and Eastcott believe in documenting environmental concerns in an effort to protect what they love. This has led them to work with the Audubon Society, Wildlife Conservation Society, Smithsonian Institution, Defenders of Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy. Their images have earned awards in many competitions, including Pictures of the Year International, National Wildlife Federation competitions and BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
They fund photography workshops at a school for autistic children near their home in the Catskills, NY.