Capturer de belles images de baleines est l’une des expériences photographiques les plus gratifiantes pour un photographe sous-marin. Ces créatures majestueuses et charismatiques suscitent l’émerveillement, et le temps passé avec elles reste inoubliable. Cependant, leur environnement, leur taille impressionnante et leur nature fuyante présentent certains défis.
The two key elements to successfully photographing cetaceansare research and preparation. You might be an excellent photographer, but you won’t get any good pictures if you can’t get near a whale or you’re not ready for the moment once you do. To maximize your chances of good encounters and images, consider these basics: where, when, with whom, and how.
Où
Il est possible de nager avec les baleines dans plusieurs régions du monde, mais les réglementations et les conditions varient selon l’endroit. La Dominique est réputée pour ses groupes résidents de cachalots, et sa réglementation est en constante évolution.
Several countries offer swimming with humpbacks. Tonga allows four people and one guide to get in the water with a whale, and you can approach as close as 16 feet (5 meters) and have great photo opportunities when the whales cooperate. The Silver Bank in the Dominican Republic and Moʻorea in French Polynesia allow more people in the water at once, but that can mean more fins, arms, and bubbles in your pictures and more pressure on the whale encounter. Other places, such as the Revillagigedo Islands, may have opportunistic encounters but often depend on the season.
Lorsque vous vous renseignez sur les destinations possibles pour observer les baleines, demandez combien de bateaux opèrent dans la même zone, combien de temps est accordé pour observer les animaux et combien de personnes sont autorisées dans l'eau.
Quand
Nager avec les baleines est souvent une activité saisonnière, car de nombreuses espèces de migrent. Le moment varie en fonction du lieu et de l'espèce. Il est généralement plus fiable de prévoir de nager au milieu de la haute saison.
Whales typically arrive in Tonga in mid to late June, and most will stay for three to four months. Humpbacks usually arrive in Moʻorea by July and stay through November, while January through May is the most productive time on the Silver Bank. The sperm whale population in Dominica swells for mating and birthing from November through March.
Avec qui
It is essential to book your whale swimming tours with licensed operators. Their crews are trained on the regulations and best practices and know how to approach the whales. You may also want to book with a photographer who has experience with your desired whale species, as that person will be able to read the animal’s behavior and anticipate its likely movements, which will be invaluable for the encounter.
Informez le photographe si vous avez une photo rêvée en tête. S’il voit que les animaux se déplacent d’une manière qui correspond à votre vision, il pourra vous en informer et vous aider à vous positionner.
Unfortunately, it is not unusual to find people unwilling to follow the guide’s directives about a benign approach to the whale, which can distract from the overall harmony of the experience. Likewise, it is important that the in-water guide does not compete with guests for the best shot, which can also create conflict. The tour operator will carefully explain how you are allowed to swim toward a whale, if at all, and an overly aggressive approach from anyone can ruin an encounter for everyone.
It’s essential to understand that there is no way to know at what time you will see the whales or how many you will see and for how long. There is no guarantee you will swim with them at all. Any operator who tells you otherwise is probably not following ethical practices.
Some places have untrained operators who offer illegal swimming with whales, which often results in the whales being crowded and harassed. These operators’ boats might not be suitable for open-ocean activities and lack appropriate safety equipment, which is potentially dangerous when at sea. There is also the risk of being arrested when working with unlicensed operators.
The real bottom line is that no image is worth compromising the whale’s welfare. Make sure you work with a licensed, experienced operation and that all required permits are in place.
Comment
Comme mentionné précédemment, le nombre de personnes autorisées dans l’eau est un point crucial à considérer. En outre, essayez de réserver plusieurs jours en mer afin de maximiser vos chances de bonnes nages et d’opportunités d’observer différents comportements. Chaque jour et chaque rencontre seront probablement différents, même avec le même animal. Les activités de nage avec les baleines ont souvent lieu pendant les mois d’hiver, lorsque les vents dominants sont plus forts ; disposer de quelques jours supplémentaires comme tampon en cas de mauvais temps est donc utile. Cela vous donnera également l’occasion de vous entraîner et de vous habituer à la présence des baleines. Réservez autant de jours que votre budget et votre emploi du temps le permettent.
Most whale swimming activities are done while snorkeling, so it’s paramount to feel comfortable in the open ocean, where there is often swell and you can’t see the seafloor below. One of the main challenges of photographing whales underwater is getting in the right position for the shot. I recommend anyone joining me be fit enough to start their in-water approach from quite a distance so the animals get used to them.
Being comfortable and physically prepared will get you where you need to be and allow you to enjoy the experience longer. Getting fit is also helpful if you are lucky enough to meet a curious youngster. Some can be very inquisitive toward people and will come in for a close look. They can be clumsy or pushy at that age, so it’s handy to be able to move fast.
It is also good to practice kicking without splashing, as the in-water approach needs to be as quiet and smooth as possible. Having a buoyant housing reduces the drag and makes it easier to swim. It also gives me peace of mind to know that it’s not going to sink if I accidentally let it go. Most housings, however, are negatively buoyant by design.
Carefully consider what you wear based on the conditions. Ask your tour leader what the water temperature will be and assess what that means for you. Some people will wear a dive skin in 75°F (24°C) water, while others will be in a 5 mm wetsuit. The 5 mm wetsuit will be warmer, but you’ll need more weight to overcome the suit’s buoyancy. If you are lucky to encounter a relaxed whale, you could be in the water for a while, so it pays to be well-prepared with your gear so you don’t have to go back to the boat because you are cold. I always use layers that I can add or remove as needed. Remember to have protective clothing for wind, rain, or sun if you want to take surface pictures from the boat.
Considérations techniques
It’s essential to know your equipment. Refamiliarize yourself with your camera and housing before the trip. Whales can quickly change position, and you don’t want to miss the shot because you were busy changing the settings. Establishing your settings before entering the water is a good idea, especially since the first few times seeing a whale can be quite overwhelming.
Réglages: je préfère généralement utiliser l'automatisme avec priorité à la vitesse d'obturation et régler l'ISO avant d'entrer dans l'eau en fonction des conditions de luminosité à la surface (les flashs sont généralement interdits avec les baleines). Une vitesse d'obturation comprise entre 1/200e de seconde et 1/400e de seconde me convient bien avec des baleines détendues. Mon ISO sera généralement de 200 ou 320 par temps clair, ou je le pousserai à 800 par temps sombre et couvert.
Je sélectionne le mode de prise de vue en rafale rapide ; si votre appareil photo dispose de cette option, utilisez le mode pour photographier des sujets en mouvement (par exemple, le mode Al Servo sur les appareils Canon ou AF-C sur les appareils Nikon). Les écrans LCD peuvent être trompeurs, alors vérifiez votre histogramme pour vous assurer que votre exposition est correcte.
I use autofocus target with nine focus points and place them left or right of the center of the display, depending on the direction in which the whales are swimming. That way I’m likely to be in focus where the head of the whale will be.
Prenez des photos au format RAW si vous le pouvez, pour disposer de plus d’options lors de l’édition.
Préférence d’objectif: I typically use a 16-35mm lens on my full-frame camera for versatility. Try to get as close as you can while respecting the animals and keeping a safe distance. Being close is key to getting good, clear shots. If I have to zoom more than 20mm, I’m probably too far away, and the amount of water between me and the subject will reduce the level of detail.
Pour les grandes baleines, comme les baleines franches australes, ou celles vivant en groupes sociaux, comme les cachalots, un objectif fisheye zoom 8-15 mm est pratique.
Caméras d’action It’s also nice to have great video captures of your time with whales. You may want to attach a small GoPro or DJI action camera to your housing. If you can mount it so it has about the same field of view as your still camera lens, you can let it run and then edit the footage later. This allows you to concentrate on stills while also having a video record of the encounter.
Considérations écologiques
I like to shoot from the side, as that angle allows me to capture the whole animal and the eye, and it means that I’m in a safe position and not crossing the animal’s path. Front-on shots are nice, but don’t attempt it if the animal is on the move.
If the animal is resting and relaxed, confirm with your guide that it is OK to approach from the front. Approach slowly — being patient and predictable in the water will make the animal comfortable with your presence, which is conducive to a better, longer encounter.
If you have a second camera body available, it’s well worth bringing it with a telephoto lens for topside photography. Surface activity can be phenomenal, especially if you come across a playful humpback calf learning how to breach. A 100-400mm zoom lens works well for many whales, except for Southern right whales and gray whales, which can be quite curious and approach near the boat. You will need a fast shutter speed to capture a sharp breach, especially when on a moving boat, so I often use 1/1500 second to 1/2000 second.
En ce qui concerne l’équipement et la préparation, assurez-vous que votre matériel est en bon état avant de partir. Apportez des joints toriques et des piles de rechange, car les activités de nage avec les baleines ont souvent lieu depuis des bateaux de croisière ou des régions isolées.
Please remember that the pictures you see online and in magazines are among the photographers’ best work and often have been taken over many days, weeks, or even months. For each great picture, there are many average ones.
As a tour leader, I occasionally have guests with high expectations because of what they see online. They sometimes don’t fully enjoy the experience because they are so focused on getting the shot. Remember to be patient. Following these tips will maximize your chances of good encounters and pictures, but there is no way to guarantee any outcomes with wildlife, especially megafauna.
Profitez de l’instant, et détournez parfois le regard de votre appareil. Passer du temps avec ces doux géants est une expérience merveilleuse, parfois bouleversante. Même si vous ne prenez pas de photo primée, les images gravées dans votre mémoire resteront pour toujours.
© Alert Diver – Q4 2024