Amanda & Canopener
Shot Feb 2016 in Dominica. I spent a week diving with the the resident Sperm whales of this, the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. This whale is named Can...
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Shot Feb 2016 in Dominica. I spent a week diving with the the resident Sperm whales of this, the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. This whale is named Can Opener as the bite mark out of her tail fluke, resembles a can opener. ( large pods of pilot whales often attack & bite at the mother in an attempt to drown & prey on her calf ) She was the most curious, playful & gentle of all the whales we got into the water with. Often times waiting for us to catch up, or stopping & gently side stepping us to avoid a collision with her massive tail fluke. She is extremely intelligent & was alway aware of our positions to her in the water. She also liked to play & its said, that she would often times mimic our guide. He would do spins & twirls underwater while CanOpener watched, then she would mimic, doing her own spins & twirls for everyone to see. Just a Magical time.
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Feb, 2016Views
10806
Likes
Awards
Contest Finalist in Big Mammals Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Ocean Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in One With Nature Photo Contest
NANPA Membership
Contest Finalist in Underwater Games Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Man In Nature Photo Contest
Member Selection Award
Contest Finalist in Large Mammals Photo Contest
Runner Up in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 7
Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 7
Staff Favorite
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Virtuoso
Love it
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
danbug74
March 14, 2016
What an amazing opportunity to be that close to something so majestic and beautiful! Great shot!!
danbug74
March 14, 2016
What an amazing opportunity to be that close to something so majestic and beautiful! Great shot!!
PRO+
PJCard
March 14, 2016
Wow. Just wow. Incredibly beautiful in its simplicity and the recognition of how truly large these whales are compared to how small we humans are. Thank you for the share.
PRO
PRO
Marleigh50
March 15, 2016
I love this shot! Possibly the best souvenier you could have brought home.
Marleigh50
March 15, 2016
I love this shot! Possibly the best souvenier you could have brought home.
Platinum
sachinus2010
March 18, 2016
Wow !!! Such a nice photograph !! And more importantly .. so nice to read the story ... It's all about respect and love for each other. Thanks for sharing this wonderful picture and the story !!
Theapics
March 20, 2016
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
Theapics
March 20, 2016
This would be a dream come true for me. I wanted to be a marine biologist. but things happened,
Platinum
bobbivetter
March 31, 2016
Great shot and a lovely story.What a fantastic memory.Thanks for sharing. :)
Platinum
PRO+
PRO
stevefairburn
January 01, 2017
Wow!! Incredible image... the snorkeler looks so close to that beautiful creature!
PRO+
MaryAnne306
April 09, 2017
Utterly fantastic photo! And truly beautiful. What a wonderful adventure you had.
PRO+
kathyk_abq
September 12, 2017
Just awesome! What an experience that must have been! Congrats on your finalist award!
PRO+
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
Dominica - the most beautiful & unspoiled of all the Caribbean Islands ( not to be confused with Dominican Republic )Time
Shot late Morning, though we had already dove with this whale earlier, we waited for her to re-surface. Sperm whales typically deep dive for approx. 45 minutes to feed on squid, before returning to the surface for a breath of fresh air & a rest.Lighting
Ambient light. As we were snorkelling & free diving only from the surface. Further, the whales are highly protected & scuba and camera strobes are forbidden. Also, it would be pretty tough to light a whale with a couple of Inon strobes, lolEquipment
Olympus OMD Em-1 with a Nauticam underwater housing.Inspiration
Whales ! I specifically went to photograph whales & my friend Amanda just happened into the frame at the right moment.Editing
Yes, did some post. Mostly lighting though, with some debris - particle removal. Being close to the surface there was so much sunlight through the water, that causes dappling, ( a kind of reverse reflection of waves & water onto the subject) I really had to play with the light in post to make the shot the most pleasing to my eye.In my camera bag
Olympus camera & 12 -35 constant 2.8 & 7-14 wide angle for underwater.Feedback
Shooting animals underwater or in water is like fishing, you need a lot of patience .
