3 days ago
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Forget your standard nature docs; Martin Gregus is out here playing for keeps. Imagine swapping your morning brew for a sub-zero stare-down with the planet’s apex predators. Born in Bratislava and now holding it down in Canada, Martin isn’t just snapping pics—he’s embedding himself in the ice. We’re talking a wild 33-day stint living among polar bears that turned the photography world upside down.
Growing up in a house full of artists and National Geographic mags, Martin learned the hustle from his dad before taking his lens to all seven continents. But the Arctic? That’s his true playground. Whether he’s pulling duty as a high-stakes drone pilot for Disney and Netflix or giving TEDx talks, Martin’s vibe is all about the deep dive.
By sticking it out in the frost for over a month, he captured the kind of raw, intimate moments that make you forget these bears could literally flatten a car. It’s not just photography; it’s a masterclass in patience and pure, unadulterated grit.
You can find Martin Gregus on the web:
1. Golden Hour in the Bloom: A Polar Bear’s Summer Sanctuary
"This frame is a masterclass in breaking wildlife stereotypes. Martin Gregus brilliantly juxtaposes the raw power of an apex predator with the delicate, vibrant purple of a blooming Arctic summer. The low-angle perspective and warm, back-lit "golden hour" glow create an intimate, dreamlike atmosphere that feels more like a fine-art portrait than a standard nature documentary shot."
2. The Arctic Trio: A Bird’s Eye View of Giants
"This aerial perspective is absolutely breathtaking, showcasing Martin Gregus’s elite skill as a drone pilot. By shooting straight down into the crystal-clear water, he creates a surreal, minimalist composition that highlights the bears’ powerful forms against the dark, textured riverbed. It’s a rare, intimate look at social behavior from a truly unique vantage point."
Photographer’s Note: "One of my favourite aerial shots from 2025 of these three beauties!"
3. The Long Shadow: An Arctic Giant in the Snow
"This top-down aerial composition is a masterclass in scale and contrast. Martin Gregus utilizes the low Arctic sun to cast a towering, dramatic shadow that dwarfs the bear itself, transforming a simple trek across the tundra into a powerful, cinematic statement on the magnitude of these creatures."
Photographer’s Note: "Filming in the Canadian Arctic looks a lot different than my bears in flowers. Five days of snowy bears coming up as we count down to Christmas!"
4. Arctic Snuggles: A Mother’s Winter Embrace
"This image is pure emotional gold. Martin Gregus captures a rare, tender moment of vulnerability that cuts through the harsh Arctic chill. The tight framing and soft, high-key lighting emphasize the family’s bond, turning a survival story into a heartwarming portrait of motherhood."
Photographer’s Note: "All bundled up for the holidays. A polar bear mom and her two cubs in the Canadian Arctic, where cubs are born during winter and rely entirely on their mother for warmth, protection, and survival during their first months."
5. Neon Ice: A Winter Solstice Trek
"Martin Gregus hits us with a total visual fever dream here. By timing the shot during a vibrant Arctic twilight, he turns a frozen wasteland into a glowing palette of deep purples and electric pinks. The reflection of the mother and cub on the glassy ice creates a cinematic symmetry that feels more like a painting than a photograph."
Photographer’s Note: "After a few days of rest, I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a very happy holiday season. I hope this time brings you moments of joy and time spent with the people who matter most. Wishing you all a beautiful end to the year and a wonderful start to the next."
6. The Social Giant: A Glimpse into Polar Bear Companionship
" Martin Gregus masterfully shatters the "solitary hunter" myth with this stunning group portrait. The vibrant purple fireweed creates a lush, unexpected backdrop that pops against the bears’ white fur. By capturing all three subjects looking directly into the lens, he establishes a rare, soulful connection between the viewer and these Arctic icons."
Photographer’s Note: "Although polar bears are often portrayed as strictly solitary animals, this is more misconception than reality. They spend much of their time alone because they roam enormous distances in search of food, not because they prefer isolation."
7. Tender Teeth: An Arctic Lesson in Play
"This shot is all about high-speed intimacy. Martin Gregus freezes a split-second interaction that looks fierce but feels incredibly gentle. The crystal-clear blue water provides a clean, minimalist background, forcing the viewer to focus entirely on the fascinating facial expressions and the tactile connection between the adult and cub."
8. Sunset Siesta: A Golden Hour Family Portrait
"This shot is a masterful blend of wildlife intimacy and landscape grandeur. Martin Gregus utilizes the expansive field of purple fireweed to create a vibrant, textured foreground that leads the eye directly to the serene polar bear, perfectly framed by the glowing Arctic sun."
Photographer’s Note:"As we move through the heart of winter in Canada, my excitement for the summer grows by the day. One of my favorite days last year was spent watching this bear family sunbathe all the way through sunset."
9. Arctic Oasis: A Bed of Blooms and Resilience
"This top-down aerial captures a rare, serene side of the Arctic. Martin Gregus utilizes the vibrant, textured pattern of the purple fireweed to frame a mother and cub, creating a striking contrast between the bears’ massive forms and the delicate ecosystem that supports them."
Photographer’s Note: "Here’s a place I’d personally choose to relax, a soft, fluffy bed of plants. These flowers thrive in recently disturbed soils, attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and their young shoots are edible and were historically used as a nutritious food source by Indigenous peoples."
10. Face to Face: A Curiosity at Sea
"This perspective is incredibly rare and visceral. By using a pre-placed, water-level camera, Martin Gregus removes the distance between the viewer and the predator. The splashing water and the bear’s direct eye contact create an intense, heartbeat-skipping moment of intimacy."
Photographer’s Note: "A shot that truly speaks for itself. To be clear, no one is in the water with these bears. We pre-placed cameras and after thinking it might never work, this big guy finally showed up and made our day."
11. Breakfast on the Tundra: A Tender Arctic Morning
" This shot captures a remarkably rare, grounded intimacy. Martin Gregus utilizes a clean horizon and sharp midday light to emphasize the mother bear’s protective presence. The composition beautifully highlights the cubs’ complete dependence, turning a survival-driven ritual into a peaceful, heartwarming portrait."
Photographer’s Note: "Happy Sunday from the Arctic. A mama polar bear and her two cubs, sticking close and starting the day the best way possible!"
12. The Grey Area: A Lesson in Arctic Independence
" This composition beautifully captures the inquisitive nature of youth. By positioning the cub slightly ahead in the field of vibrant fireweed, Martin Gregus highlights the shift from dependence to exploration. The soft lighting and shallow depth of field keep the focus squarely on this generational exchange of knowledge."
Photographer’s Note: "Cubs stay with their moms for about two years, and during that time they soak up as much knowledge as possible. They’re born around Christmas, and by March they leave the winter den and spend the summer with mum. They will return to the den one more time before heading off on their own the following summer. After that, they may cross paths with their mother in the wild, but we still haven’t fully figured out whether they truly recognize each other. This is what I call the grey area. Based on what we know, it seems unlikely they maintain that bond, but it is difficult to say with absolute certainty."
13. The Arctic’s True Colors: Behind the Ivory Coat
" Martin Gregus creates a striking visual irony here. By capturing the bear’s head tilted back against the vibrant purple fireweed, he highlights the creamy, textured reality of the fur. The sharp focus on the eye and the play of light on the "hollow" hairs perfectly illustrates the biological storytelling mentioned in his notes."
Photographer’s Note: "Most people are surprised to learn that polar bears do not actually have white skin, it is black. Beneath their thick coat of fur, a polar bear’s skin is jet black, which helps them absorb and retain heat from the sun in the chilly Arctic environment. Their fur only appears white because it is made of hollow, transparent hairs that scatter light, creating their well known snowy look. However, if you talk to any guide while out searching for bears on the ice, they will not actually tell you to look for something bright white. In the wild, polar bears often appear creamy or even yellowish. That is because their fur can stain and age over time from oils, algae, and the environments they move through. Like a favorite white T-shirt after many adventures, their coats tell the story of where they have been."
14. Arctic Slumber: The Post-Holiday Vibe
"This intimate close-up is a masterclass in texture and tranquility. Martin Gregus utilizes a shallow depth of field to isolate the sleeping bear, allowing the soft purple fireweed in the foreground to create a dreamlike frame. The detail in the damp fur and the peaceful expression perfectly capture a rare moment of absolute Arctic stillness."
Photographer’s Note: "Our first real post-holiday Saturday, and this pretty much sums up how most of us are feeling."
15. The Morning After: A Tundra Huddle
"This candid frame captures the "unfiltered" side of Arctic life. Martin Gregus utilizes a wide, rocky shore as a minimalist stage to showcase this family’s morning routine. The juxtaposition of the sleeping bears against the one rubbing its eyes creates a relatable, human-like narrative that is both humorous and profoundly intimate."
16. Rim of Gold: The Shadow Walker
" This silhouette is a masterclass in high-contrast minimalism. By exposing for the highlights, Martin Gregus transforms a massive predator into a delicate, glowing outline. The rim lighting creates a stunning "halo" effect against the dark, textured landscape, elevating a standard wildlife sighting into a sophisticated piece of fine-art photography."
Photographer’s Note: "Summer sunsets often give me some of my favorite shots, like this glowing bear. While most people rush to the other side for the perfect light, I’m drawn to the shadows. That’s where a literal moment starts to feel more artistic for me, if that makes sense. Playing with shadows has always been a favorite style of mine and when working with wildlife, the opportunity to move quickly is rarely an option if you want to remain respectful. Often, I have to decide whether to go for the unpredictable shadow shot or the perfect lighting shot long before I know what conditions I’ll be shooting in. Sometimes it pays off, like it did here. Other times it doesn’t, for example when a cloud rolls in making the light disappears, or the animal moves out of the frame and many more. The never ending unpredictable factors are what keep this line of work so exciting."
17. Icy Reflections: A Curious Cub at Sea
"This shot is all about the gaze. Martin Gregus uses a tight, water-level composition to pull us directly into the bear’s world. The cool blue ripples perfectly contrast the warm, backlit fur of the cub, creating a moment that feels both incredibly vulnerable and undeniably wild."
Photographer’s Note: "It never ceases to amaze me how much these bears remind me of my dog—equally cute and equally unpredictable. It’s a funny reminder of how closely connected we are to the wild, even when the scale and stakes are completely different."
18. Seaweed Sanctuary: A Shoreline Siesta
" This wide-angle shot is a fascinating study in environmental texture. By contrasting the bear’s clean, white fur against the dark, matted bed of seaweed and rugged shoreline, Martin Gregus emphasizes the species’ incredible adaptability. The moody, overcast sky adds a cinematic depth to this grounded, naturalistic portrait."
Photographer’s Note: "Polar bears show up in some surprising spots. Sometimes lounging comfortably on a damp shoreline at low tide, amid a vast bed of seaweed which is not exactly what I’d choose but for polar bears it seems perfectly normal."
19. The Arctic’s New Reality: A Toy or a Threat?
" This composition is heartbreakingly effective. By capturing the cub in a playful, dynamic trot with a colorful piece of plastic in its mouth, Martin Gregus creates a sharp, jarring contrast against the pristine, frozen tundra. It is a powerful visual indictment."
Photographer’s Note: "A quiet reminder of our impact, even at the edge of the Arctic. Unfortunately, pollution is appearing more and more in the wild and affecting the animals themselves. It’s becoming increasingly common to see wildlife interacting with our waste, with our garbage, trying to figure out if it’s food or, like this bear, if it might be a new favorite toy. While there’s no simple solution, being more mindful of our waste is a free and meaningful first step for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the scale of consumption in today’s world."
20. The Perfect Pillow: Fueling Future Giants
"The vibrant green moss provides a lush, unexpected backdrop that breaks traditional Arctic tropes. By capturing the cub nestled perfectly into its mother’s back, Martin Gregus emphasizes the sanctuary of maternal care. The brilliant blue horizon adds a clean, peaceful depth."
Photographer’s Note: "Not only are mama bears great pillows for a mid-day snooze but they can produce milk that’s up to 30% fat—enough to help her cubs more than double their weight before spring arrives."
121Clicks Editor’s Take
The crew at 121Clicks is honestly obsessed with how Martin Gregus bridges the gap between high-octane adventure and fine-art soul. It’s one thing to survive 33 days in the Arctic; it’s another to come back with frames that feel this poetic.
Martin doesn’t just document the bears; he honors their rhythm. His work through MatkoPictures proves that the best wildlife shots aren’t caught—they’re earned through radical patience. We’re blown away by his ability to use cutting-edge drone tech to make the vast, terrifying Arctic feel like an intimate, living home. This is world-class storytelling at its peak.
English (US) ·