Humpback whale swimming around
I had the chance to swim a few times with this great animals. It is very astounding, and they are very curious and carefull. Sometimes you don't know who i...
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I had the chance to swim a few times with this great animals. It is very astounding, and they are very curious and carefull. Sometimes you don't know who is looking the other.
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Feb, 2016Views
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Awards
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 21
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in All About Water Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Wildlife On The Move Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Big Mammals Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Once Upon A Time Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Wildlife Photo Contest 2017
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Contest Finalist in The Battle Of Advanced Photo Contest
Spring Selection Award
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jessicamyscofski
February 21, 2016
Such a beautiful image, and what an amazing experience!! Half of me hopes to do this one day, and half would be scared to death! Where was this taken?
woeckdnis
February 22, 2016
Hi, Thanks. It was taken where I live, in Reunion island (near Mauricius). And your describing is true, it is beautiful but we must respect these animals, and take care because they are huge. But they are really intelligent and rarely touch you.
RavenHawk58
July 22, 2016
OUTSTANDING. What a great honor to swim with these precious beings. Great composition
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I Took this photo on Reunion island, a small island near Mauritius in the indian ocean. The humpback whales come there for mating and giving birth. 2012 and 2013 was 2 great years, now, it seems that they are not as much whales as before, maybe they choose another place.Time
During the mating season, it is a big job to look for the right whale. We rent a boat between friends and we left the harbour at 6.00 am when the sun rise in the austral winter season. Then the search begin, before 7.00 am the sun is not powerful enough to take underwater picture like I want. And the best time is between 7 ans 8 am before the others touristic operator. This photo was taken in 2013, huge year with a lot of whales, but only a few of them accept ou presence near the calf. But that day we made THE encounter. A great mum that has already give birth here a few years ago, and also allowing human to swim alongside her, so a well known whale. This picture as been taken at 9.00 am after 1 hour of swimming with this guy.Lighting
Everything is made with natural lightning. It is not as easy as it seems. The whales are in their environment, they are huge and swim really really fast. This one was very nice, are curious like all mammals. The problem is that is weight not like a dog. If it touch you at the wrong place at the wrong time, it can be disastrous. So, for this kind of picture, you must have the sun in your back, but this whale was turning around you and the others swimmers, getting away and coming back very fast and avoiding the group at the very las time. Its pectoral almost touch me once as I was trying to move away, and I wasn't proud ! Moreover, You have to look il the camera for composing your photo. In very wide angle, you have to take care about not being too close and get in a dangerous zone in case of contact with the whale. AND, Mum is waiting 10m deep under your feet !!! It feels like an autobus is looking to you, and she can emerge to breath any moment. You have to keep your eyes everywhere. Even on your friends, I was in charge of their security, and I had to choose if you want them in the photo or not. And they are on this photo, but just on the background, did you see them ?Equipment
I have an underwater housing, the low cost one (Ikelite). I have a nikon D7000 inside, and I used the Nikkor 12-24 at that time, at 12mm. The live view is possible underwater. it is a raw file, and in manual mode. So setting are also very important. It makes a lot of parameters to take care when shooting living animals.Inspiration
A lot of thins. Usually, whales are taken in front. I have some. But this one make an unexpecting movement and turn, and it separate our groupe in twho swimming peacefully. Very curious and peaceful whale. When I saw him passing by, I wanting to focus on its "tail" because it is not usual and It is wonderful and very impressive. And I wanted my friends to have a picture of them behind the giant.Editing
Yes, In underwater photography, we have a lot of work in post processing. Because the hot colors are absorbe by the water, beginning by the red. And the color of the skin of the whale is grey, but it get more blue with this red color absorption. Underwater mask are treated with a small orange filter, but not our housing, so we work a lot on the white balance. And a on the particules in the water, but there wasn't a lot of them on this picture. The raw file is already very beautiful.In my camera bag
I am not a professional, my bag is very small ! And my camera is in an housing, I only opening it and closing it in my desk, taking care of dust and hair because I also dive with between 0 and 60 meters deep ! So, I have a leash, if I drop my housing, it stay attach to my hand, and my snorkeling equipment keeps my floating. But I always have a wide angle (Unfortunately, the Nikkor 12-24 suffered a drowning and is dead, I now have the Sigma 10-20), and some fixe optic like the nikkor 35 and 60mm. Fixed optic are great to work on composition.Feedback
For this kind of picture, you should be patient and wait the animals to give you what you are looking for. You just have to help them and always be ready. The moment might come any time. A camera with a good processor allowing to take a lot of pics in the second, it is very important. You should never be in a hurry, or never make something that will be negative for the animals. This whales is for exemple feed in milk by his mother. If you disturb this not allowing the calf to eat enough, it will be hard for him to come back to the pole to grow. Always wait the nature to give you what you deserve. (I hope my english is not that bad !)
