Views
7793
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Contest Finalist in Wildlife Wanderlust Photo Contest
Honorable Mention in Majestic Species Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Picturing Other Species Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Wildlife On The Move Photo Contest
Manfrotto Tripod
Contest Finalist in Colossal Wildlife Photo Contest
Runner Up in Wildlife And Water Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Wildlife And Water Photo Contest
Runner Up in Our Natural Planet Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Our Natural Planet Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Animals And Water Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Genius
Top Ranks
Categories
Katnott
January 17, 2018
Wow what an amazing capture and experience I'm sure! well done ... LOve it!
sigmundkatz
January 17, 2018
It's a magnificent image , my dream to be underwater in the presence of this gentle giants
glenedwardlachance
March 05, 2018
What an amazing experience!! I am sure you had a ball taking this one. Love it! Jealous!!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in the crystal clear tropical water of Vavau Tonga on a week long trip that was organised by ocean videographer Jon Shaw.Time
This photo was taken about mid morning and was the first dive of the trip. We had seen plenty of whales around but we were struggling to find any to stop and have a swim with.Lighting
It was a super nice even light. The clarity of the water also helped disperse the light evenly over the whales making the appear super contrasted in the super blue water.Equipment
The camera I was using was my trusty canon 5dmarkiii. I have loved this camera since I got it and love the sharp images it constantly produces. To accompany the 5d body I was using a canon 16-35mm f2.8 L series ii lens which I had to buy for the trip as I needed something super wide to accomodate for the size of these magnificent creatures. This was all then put inside an aquatech 5d elite underwater housing with an 8inch dome on the front.Inspiration
I have always had a love for the ocean and been lucky enough to have swam with a number of the worlds large animals but one day I saw a short clip on YouTube it was a GoPro hero video call Whale Fantasia. It was a 6min short clip and it had theses 3 women diving with the whales and I was just thinking the whole time man I have to go swim with these gigantic animals. A year later I made that dream come true and will hopefully be back there this year. (Fingers crossed)Editing
Yes I used both Lightroom and photoshop. In Lightroom I did some contrast, light and colour correction. And I’m photoshop I used the spot removal tool as I find it better than Lightroom just to remove some big ugly particles from the water.In my camera bag
In my bag I will have. Canon 5d markiii Canon 24-70Lii f2.8 Canon 16-35Lii f2.8 Canon 100mm L series macro Sigma 150-600 f5.6-6.3 Canon 600 flash Nisi Filter kit Manfrotto tripod Spare batteriesFeedback
If you have the passion for something make it happen! You will look back one day and regret the chances you didn’t take to go and do these amazing things. I understand it’s difficult as well as some of these big adventures and trips like the whales are quite costly but instead of a one year plan make it a 2,3 or 4 year plan. Just keep that passion alive for discovery and adventure and you will achieve what you set out for