A humpback whale can surface, blow and disappear before you’ve even unlocked your phone. Breaches are harder still. By the time you spot the movement and point your camera in the right direction, the whale may already be back in the water.
Taking good whale photographs requires a little patience, but you don’t need expensive equipment. A few adjustments to how you use your phone or camera can make a noticeable difference, especially when you’re photographing from a moving boat.
If you’re joining one of our Coffs Harbour whale watching cruises, these tips will help you get better shots without spending the entire trip looking through a screen.
Start by Watching What the Whale Is Doing
Before concentrating on photographs, spend some time watching how the whales are moving.
A blow is often the first sign that a whale is nearby. If it surfaces several times, you may start to recognise its direction of travel and where it could appear next.
Keep your camera ready, but avoid concentrating on one spot for too long. Whales can change direction underwater, and the next blow may appear somewhere quite different from the last one.
A tail fluke can be another useful clue. When a whale lifts its tail before diving, it may be heading underwater for longer, giving you time to check your camera settings before the next sighting.
The crew can also help by pointing out blows, surfacing patterns and whale movements. Knowing a little about humpback whale behaviour around Coffs Harbour can make it easier to recognise these patterns and anticipate photo opportunities.
Taking Whale Photos With Your Smartphone
Modern smartphones can produce impressive whale photographs, particularly when the animals are active near the surface.
The biggest challenge is usually timing. A whale might only be visible for a few seconds, so having your camera open and ready makes a difference.
Here are a few settings and techniques worth trying:
- Use burst mode for action shots. Taking several photographs in quick succession improves your chances of capturing a breach, tail slap or other sudden movement.
- Avoid excessive digital zoom. Zooming too far can make photographs look soft or pixelated. If your phone has an optical zoom option, use that where possible.
- Tap to focus on the whale. This can also help your phone adjust exposure when bright sunlight is reflecting off the water.
- Try video for unpredictable activity. A short video can be more effective than still photographs when whales are repeatedly breaching or slapping their tails.
It’s also worth cleaning your phone’s camera lens before the cruise. Fingerprints and salt spray can affect image quality, particularly when you’re photographing towards the sun.
Using a Camera With a Zoom Lens
If you’re bringing a dedicated camera, a zoom lens is useful because whales may surface at different distances from the boat.
A lens that lets you move between wider views and closer shots is generally more practical than one with a fixed focal length. Start with a wider view to locate the whale, then zoom in once you have it in the frame.
For photographers comfortable adjusting camera settings, a fast shutter speed can help freeze movement. Around 1/1000 of a second or faster is a useful starting point for action shots, particularly when a whale breaches.
Continuous autofocus and burst shooting can also help when the subject is moving quickly.
Remember that you’ll be photographing from a boat, so keeping the camera steady can be difficult even in relatively calm conditions. Using a fast shutter speed and keeping your stance secure will help reduce blurred shots.
Leave Some Space Around the Whale
It’s tempting to zoom in as far as possible, especially when a large whale appears at the surface.
However, tightly framed photographs can be difficult to get right. If the whale suddenly breaches or changes direction, you may end up cutting off part of its body.
Try leaving some room around the whale, particularly above the waterline and in the direction it’s moving.
Including the surrounding ocean can also make a photograph more interesting. A whale breaching with the coastline in the background gives the image a sense of location and scale that can be lost in a very close crop.
For quieter sightings, look for the shape of the whale’s back, the curve of its tail fluke or the spray from its blow. These details can work well without needing a dramatic breach.
Check the horizon occasionally, too. It’s easy to end up with a crooked photograph when you’re concentrating on a moving animal.
Why the Boat Makes a Difference
Having a clear view of the water is particularly helpful when you’re trying to photograph whales.
On a crowded boat, it can be difficult to change position quickly or get an unobstructed shot. Whales may surface on either side of the vessel, and being able to move around makes it easier to follow them.
Whale Watch Experience operates aboard the Pacific Explorer catamaran, with spacious open decks, 360-degree viewing and a maximum of 23 passengers.
The vessel’s wide hull and low centre of gravity also help reduce excessive movement, which is useful when taking photographs. Of course, conditions at sea still vary, and passengers should always follow the crew’s instructions when moving around the deck.
Different Photo Opportunities Throughout the Season
The humpback migration along the Coffs Coast changes as the season progresses, and this can influence the types of photographs you have an opportunity to take.
If you’re planning July whale watching in Coffs Harbour, many of the humpbacks you encounter will still be heading north. Some travel steadily along the coastline, while others may be more active at the surface.
Later in the season, the humpback whale return migration brings whales heading south along the Coffs Coast. Mothers with calves may be seen during the return journey, providing opportunities to photograph pairs travelling or surfacing together.
These sightings require particular care because vessels must give mothers and calves additional space. A longer zoom lens can be useful for photographing them from a respectful distance.
Respecting the Whales While Taking Photographs
Whale watching takes place in the animals’ natural environment. Getting a photograph should never involve disturbing the whales or encouraging a boat to move too close.
NSW regulations generally require vessels to remain at least 100 metres from whales, increasing to 300 metres when a calf is present. There are also rules about how vessels approach whales and what skippers must do if a whale approaches the boat.
Sometimes whales move closer of their own accord, but the skipper must manage the vessel safely and follow the relevant regulations.
For photographers, the best approach is to work with the opportunities available rather than expecting a particular distance or behaviour.
A good photograph doesn’t necessarily require a close encounter. A whale surfacing against the coastline, a distant breach or a tail fluke disappearing below the water can all make excellent images.
What to Bring for Whale Photography
You don’t need to carry a lot of equipment, but a few simple items can make photography easier.
A wrist strap or camera strap is useful for keeping your equipment secure, especially when the boat is moving. A lens cloth can help remove fingerprints or light salt spray, while a protective case or dry bag can keep your equipment safe when it’s not in use.
Make sure your phone or camera is fully charged before leaving the marina, and check that you have enough storage available for photographs and videos.
It’s also worth bringing a warm layer, sunglasses and a hat, depending on the weather. Secure loose items so they don’t blow away.
Above all, keep your footing secure and follow the crew’s instructions. Don’t lean over railings or move around the deck when conditions make it unsafe.
Don’t Spend the Whole Cruise Behind Your Camera
You’ll probably miss a few photographs, regardless of how well prepared you are.
Whales can appear unexpectedly, and some sightings are simply too quick to capture. If you miss a breach or a tail slap, keep watching the water rather than spending too much time checking what you’ve already photographed.
It’s worth putting the camera away occasionally as well. Seeing a humpback whale from the water is impressive in its own right, and you don’t need a photograph of every sighting.
Book a Coffs Harbour Whale Watching Cruise
Whale Watch Experience runs small-group whale watching cruises from Coffs Harbour International Marina during the annual migration season, generally from June to early November.
With open deck space, 360-degree viewing and a maximum of 23 passengers, Pacific Explorer provides plenty of opportunities to watch and photograph humpback whales as they travel along the Coffs Coast.
If you know someone who enjoys wildlife or photography, whale watching gift certificates are also available through our online booking system.
Book your Coffs Harbour whale watching cruise online and get ready to see the humpback migration from the water.