During our adventure, I confirmed that underwater whale photography is one of the most challenging of all wildlife photography. Some reasons include:
1. Unlike most terrestrial subjects where long telephoto lens can bridge the gap to a reluctant subject, whales have to accept the interaction for successful images to be obtained. The obligatory wide-angle lens and limited visibility under water compared to on land necessitates getting close ..... really close. We were routinely between 5 - 20 feet from these massive (and sometimes intimidating) creatures. As the event on Day 11 demonstrated, it actually can be quite dangerous.
2. Whales are usually on the move and our feeble fins are hopelessly inadequate to keep up -- even for short distances. Our skilled captain would frequently drop us off directly in front of the moving whales to provide a brief encounter as they dove beneath us. The resultant images of such encounters, however, are often poor quality. The uncommon opportunities with whales resting near the surface are essential for many of the classic images.
3. In absence of flash, one is totally dependent on strong ambient light and good visibility to obtain satisfactory images. Unfortunately, during much of our visit, we had significant cloud cover, rough seas, and rain (with resultant plant debris run-off littering the shallow waters).
4. Finally, very few locations in the world permit close underwater encounters with cetaceans. Reaching these locales can be a true adventure in and of itself. Once there, it still may seem as one is hunting for "a needle in a haystack" -- even with a creature as large as a whale.
Photographic equipment employed on this trip included:
Canon 7D bodies, Aquatech CO-7 underwater sport housings, Canon 10 - 20 mm lens with LP-ADWZ lens port, Canon 15 mm Fisheye lens with 8" LP-3 dome port, Canon 17 - 40 mm lens, and Canon Powershot (D10).
I found the Aquatech housing to work extremely well. The company offers a variety of housings each made specifically for many Canon and Nikon modeIs. It is ruggedly built and provides easy access to controls of the Canon 7D. Don't forget to turn the camera on before securing it in the housing -- there is no external means to switch on. Live View mode can often help with composition -- may require some repositioning of the clear rear plate -- test it before locking the hinges. Note that although this housing fits comfortably in my large hands, it might seem be too wide for some photographers to access the shutter button.
Other new gear with favorable performance on this trip:
Scuba Pro Seawing Nova Fins: Excellent. Significant reduction in leg fatigue.
Aqualung Favola Mask: Low volume with reasonable peripheral vision. Nice fit with wide skirt - no leaks.
Aeris Cuda Dry Snorkel and Aqualung Impulse Dry Snorkel: Both worked very well in the rough surf -- strange sensation when the "dry" snorkel occludes but better than mouthful of salt water. Favored the Aqualung version.
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Here is the link to our Blurb Humpback book -- can flip through the e-version to see some more images from the trip:
http://www.blurb.com/books/2909710-humpbacks-of-tonga-deluxe-edition
YouTube link to new IMAX film about Humpbacks in Tonga:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uvHdWFWJ-4
Now, we will commence the stair-climbing training to prepare for our adventure in February trekking for the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Until next year, take care.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uvHdWFWJ-4
Now, we will commence the stair-climbing training to prepare for our adventure in February trekking for the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Until next year, take care.
