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Dolphin Photography Without Getting Wet!
by Charlie Phillips
www.charliephillipsimages.co.uk
Many people think that to photograph aquatic animals like dolphins you have to use boats or, god forbid – go to places that have these beautiful animals in captivity. Not so, especially in the UK where there are some great places to get good photos without getting you or your camera equipment covered in salt spray. Where I live in the Highlands of Scotland, there is a beach on a peninsula where bottlenose dolphins can be watched and photographed only a few metres from shore called Chanonry Point. This is a very special habitat and is almost unique in Europe. I am a consultant for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society who contract me to photograph these wild dolphins. I use my skills to get the best dynamic shots of these amazing animals but actually the important bit for me is simple shots of the dorsal fins on their backs as these carry natural marks and shapes that are as unique as a human fingerprint. With these fin photographs we build a catalogue of individual dolphins and even give them names.
I have used Canon equipment for a long time and don’t see any reason to change, I basically upgrade when I can afford it and now use the 1D MK11 coupled to an EF400 F2.8 Image Stabilized lens. You can get good shots of these dolphins with much less exotic equipment, I just need the toughness, reliability and weatherproofing that the Pro kit gives you. I would advise that 300 mm should be the minimum focal length for this specific location, anything bigger is a bonus as long as it can autofocus quickly then you have a good chance. When dolphins are breaching out the water it can be all over in a matter of a second, so I have the camera set at maximum frames per second (8) to give the best chance of getting at least two or three frames with the dolphin in the centre, hopefully in focus and very important – well lit. Timing is important and I learned by using my old 10D for two years – the 1D just gives me a better chance of getting something good.
Water can be a difficult subject to expose for at the best of times and it can take a while to get things just right but it all depends on the sea conditions, ambient light available and the direction of the sun. The camera might want to turn everything grey so you have to add a touch of exposure compensation, I normally use + 1/3rd for dull conditions but for bright sunny weather when the sea is blue, I find that the camera does okay set to “0”. It’s all a matter of practise and trail and error. At least these days I am not using up thousands of pounds worth of slide film every year only to have to throw out the missed shots/ out of focus/ dolphins out of the frame etc. These are challenging animals to photograph well. Come and see and try for yourself!
Best Wishes
Charlie Phillips
Wildlife Photographer
Inverness
Scotland
by Charlie Phillips
www.charliephillipsimages.co.uk
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