Fluke off Maui
This fluke was pretty from the top!
This fluke was pretty from the top!
Read less
Read less
Mar, 2018Views
1463
Likes
Awards
Featured
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Virtuoso
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo off the Island of Maui, Hawaii in 2013. I love humpback whales and this fluke was so colorful.Time
Oh goodness! I can't remember that far back but I am sure it was morning. One of my favorite times to shoot.Lighting
I try to use sunlight or shadows when I can. Midday is boring because you have neither. I didn't in this photo either. But it often has to do with the angle at which you shoot. Always move. Don't stand in the same place. Crouch down.Equipment
This would have been my Nikon D600 with my 150-600 Tamron lens. Hard to stay still on a boat.Inspiration
Whales. I adore them. I like to get all facets of their bodies. Most people will take the underside of the fluke which is like a fingerprint. Each one is unique and it's how scientists identify them. But this fluke angle was beautiful and different.Editing
Normally, I just use the basic panel in Lightroom for daylight photos. It's all subjective, really. I have to laugh when other photographers look at a photo and say "I would have bumped contrast or the blacks up more." Do what feels right to you.In my camera bag
These days I've gone totally Sony. I love their G lenses and their mirrorless bodies. I have a 7riii which I used in Africa. I found the exposure compensation dial annoying because I would hit it and ruin shots when I grabbed my camera. I have decided that this will be my underwater camera from now on. Researching which housing I want to purchase since I only snorkel. I will be using the 7riv this summer in Alaska. They exposure compensation dial has a lock on it so they fixed the issue from the 7riii. I also have a Sony Bridge camera that I adore. The Sony RX-10iv. It is very versatile. I use it along with the 7r bodies so I always have both. It's my backup because inevitably on a big trip something breaks and you don't want to be caught without a backup. The lens goes from 24-600mm.Feedback
Patience! I spend a month on Molokai every winter and I go out whale watching every day I can. The channel is rough and we can only usually go out once but you need a high speed. At least 1/1000 or faster. Burst mode is needed since a single photo can be ruined with the bump of a wave. They are a pain to go through but when you find 'the one', it's worth it.
