Every photographer has at least one favourite photo location – a place that never fails to inspire them. In this new series we talk to eight photographers about their favourite locations and ask them to explain what makes them such special places to shoot. In part one Joshua Holko discusses two locations that are quite literally poles apart.
Iceland and Antarctica
When I was asked to write about my favourite place in the world to photograph my thoughts immediately jumped to Iceland. Probably nowhere else in the world is there such a diversity of subject matter in such a relatively small area: glaciers and geothermal areas, waterfalls, lush green valleys, arctic tundra, majestic mountains, icebergs and black volcanic beaches. All that with ever changing micro-climate weather and spectacular midnight-sun light conditions. Iceland is geologically a very young country and very much a work in progress. It's a photographer's dream come true.
Iceland has something to offer everyone and while most photographers are drawn to its surreal otherworldly landscapes it also has much to offer wildlife photographers, with arctic foxes and an abundance of bird life. In addition there are many sites of historical significance: ancient churches and buildings and incredible Viking history to explore. Indeed, even the street photographer will find the quaint fairytale streets of Reykajvík to contain a veritable treasure trove of subject matter. 
Godafoss, also known as 'The Waterfall of the Gods,' in Northern Iceland. Canon EOS 1DX, 17mm F4L tilt-shift lens, 8s @ f5.6, ISO 100. Lee 3-stop and 10-stop graduated ND filters. Photo by Joshua Holko.
I first came to photograph in Iceland in 2008 and it was this visit that sparked an all-consuming passion for what I now term polar and sub-polar photography. I have subsequently returned to Iceland many times and I now lead dedicated photography workshops three times a year to this incredible country, in both summer and winter.
However, it would be remiss of me to single out Iceland as the only leading place in the world for landscape photography as my heart is very much torn between Iceland and Antarctica.
Antarctica is the coldest place on earth and is a continent of miraculous beauty and stark desolation. I first travelled to Antarctica five years ago and I’ve subsequently returned as often as possible. I have led photographic expeditions to this incredible continent as recently as November last year and I’ll be leading two more expeditions to South Georgia Island and Antarctica in November and December 2014. 
Petermann Island, Antarctica: A penguin rookery under a rising moon at midnight at Petermann Island. Canon EOS1DX with Canon 24-70mm F2.8L MKII lens. Photo by Joshua Holko.
There are no superlatives descriptive enough to capture the feeling and essence of Antarctica and no one photograph can ever do this great white continent justice. The wildlife in Antarctica is abundant and the photographic opportunities to capture the many amazing animals are limitless. There is an endless range of colour, texture and shape in the numerous icebergs found in Antarctica; many of which defy belief! Mother Nature is a mad scientist and Antarctica is surely her greatest creation.
Both Iceland and Antarctica offer incredible photographic opportunities in pristine wilderness environments. Each has something incredibly unique to offer the intrepid photographer and each stands in its own right as a place of incredibly surreal beauty with limitless photographic opportunities.
So there you have it. My two favourite locations in the world to photograph; and they are quite literally poles apart!
Joshua Holko is one of Australia’s leading landscape photographers. He has won numerous awards, exhibited internationally and his work has been published in magazines and journals around the world. More info: www.jholko.com
Landmannalaugar Atmospherics: Dramatic midnight sun light bathes the alien landscape of Landmannalaugar in Iceland. Flood plains and ancient lava flows covered in green moss are visible from the top of one of the highest peaks in the interior of Iceland. Canon EOS 1DS MKIII with Canon 70-200mm F2.8L IS lens. Photo by Joshua Holko.
Melt: Crystal clear Antarctic water reveals the incredible shape and colour of the underside of an iceberg near Neko Harbor in Antarctica.
Canon EOS1DX with Canon 17mm TSE lens. Photo by Joshua Holko.
Excerpt from a story first published in Australian Photography + digital magazine.