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Whale watching trip ?
Jan 21, 2013 08:09:54 #
Have read some articles about taking photos from a boat, but wondered if anyone has done this and has "expert" expertise. I have a bridge camera. Going to Baja Mexico to San Ignacio grey whale migration site. Will probably be up close and distance shots.
Jan 21, 2013 08:17:49 #
Only comment is to protect your camera from exposure to salt.
Get a medium sized plastic zip lock and put your camera in it. Cut a hole for the lens and secure the hole with rubber banks to prevent sea spray from coating your camera.
I did a Whale Watch off New England and it was fantastic, seeing over 100 whales feeding. We got covered with sea salt from spray and back on shore my zip lock and exposed portion of lens were white with salt. Very easy to use a moistened sponge and cloth to clean lens and dispose of zip lock bag.
Or buy rain protector bags for your camera.
Sarge69
Get a medium sized plastic zip lock and put your camera in it. Cut a hole for the lens and secure the hole with rubber banks to prevent sea spray from coating your camera.
I did a Whale Watch off New England and it was fantastic, seeing over 100 whales feeding. We got covered with sea salt from spray and back on shore my zip lock and exposed portion of lens were white with salt. Very easy to use a moistened sponge and cloth to clean lens and dispose of zip lock bag.
Or buy rain protector bags for your camera.
Sarge69
Jan 21, 2013 08:30:38 #
Shouldn't be a lot of spray,as in a lagoon, but never know. thanks for.tip on rubber band for zip lock. Will do.
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Jan 21, 2013 09:06:25 #
Mdsmith wrote:
Shouldn't be a lot of spray,as in a lagoon, but never know. thanks for.tip on rubber band for zip lock. Will do.
Whales in a lagoon ? Neat. Family was 25 to 35 miles off the New England Coastline in an area known for migrating sperm whales feeding.
Sarge69
Jan 21, 2013 09:09:00 #
This lagoon is where the grey whales migrate from Alaska to raise their babies, and then start back up the west coast for the summer, something like 6,000 miles. I am really excited.
Jan 21, 2013 09:29:22 #
Mdsmith wrote:
Shouldn't be a lot of spray,as in a lagoon, but never know. thanks for.tip on rubber band for zip lock. Will do.
When a whale breaches there can be a lot of spray...
and you never know when or where they are going to breach.
EstherP
Jan 21, 2013 09:34:21 #
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Jan 21, 2013 09:42:10 #
Mdsmith wrote:
So much to think about. Thanks. Bet you have seen some up near you.
Yes. If you ever take the ferry from Vancouver to Vancouver Island, it is almost mandatory to have your camera ready to shoot, for the whales, but also for the scenery, especially if you go the southern route to Victoria.
We've also seen many whales on the west coast of Vancouver Island - from the beach!
EstherP
Jan 21, 2013 09:45:54 #
Vancouver is lovely. I stopped there on the way back from my Alaska cruise.
Jan 22, 2013 00:12:01 #
Rolenz
Loc: Tripping around Oz
I went whale watching off Frazier Island Qld.Aus. One mother had her fin chewed by a large shark. Tiger, which had been spotted by plane. The point is keep looking for the 'extras' that occur, hoping that doesn't occur in front of you. But the camera needs to be ready to go at all times, there is no flag to say I'm coming up. I hope you get close enough to see the whale's watching you as well. Look for it. Good luck, it is a very memorable experience.
Jan 22, 2013 08:28:24 #
The Gray whales come right up to the panga and when they exhale there is spray. It is a wonderful experience. Just wait until you touch a whale.
You will need a wide angle to a short telephoto lens
You will need a wide angle to a short telephoto lens
Touching
Up close and Blow
Mother and Calf
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Jan 22, 2013 09:03:48 #
mborn wrote:
The Gray whales come right up to the panga and when they exhale there is spray. It is a wonderful experience. Just wait until you touch a whale.
You will need a wide angle to a short telephoto lens
You will need a wide angle to a short telephoto lens
WOW, just hope this happens. Curious if you used fast shutter speed for these, etc. Think I'm a little concerned about out of focus pictures because of the movement of the boat. .? Assume you were in a lagoon. Did you experience any rough water? I have motion sickness and prefer not to take anything if possible.
Getting excited!
Jan 22, 2013 09:28:28 #
My shutter speed were between 1/500-1/1000 sec f/5.6-8, ISO 400
How are you getting down there? I would have medication available for motion sickness either pills or scop patch As they chase over to where the whales are the Panga movement can get rough
How are you getting down there? I would have medication available for motion sickness either pills or scop patch As they chase over to where the whales are the Panga movement can get rough
Jan 22, 2013 11:04:28 #
Mdsmith wrote:
quote=mborn The Gray whales come right up to the ... (show quote)
Here's a trick for motion sickness. Take along Instant Quaker Oatmeal in the individual packets. Any flavor. Eat this before going out and when making it, make it a little on the dry side. This absorbs some of the liquid in you, thus reducing motion sickness. No meds and healthy. Pills and patches need a day or two to start working, but have along just in case. Also look at the horizon to reduce the urges.
Jan 22, 2013 11:06:38 #
A number of years ago I was in Loreto, Mexico and went on a whale spotting expedition to a protected bay where the whales gave birth. The bay was on the Pacific side of the Baja and the water was very calm. We were in 20' dinghys and we were able to get very close to both parent and babies. Great trip and well worth the dollars I spent to go on it. Great photo ops as well and got a 16x20 of mother and baby for the wall. Hope you have as much luck and fun as I did. By the way, dress warm-you will be in the water for hours and the air is very cool.
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