chucksphotos914

I'm headed off to Iceland Next week. Have a whale watching trips cheduled. I would appreciate any advice that anyone has regarding how to get the best shots. I have a Canon 80D and a Canon 5D Mark IV. Several lenses, including a Tamron f2.8 70-200 and a Tamron 18-270.

Dsrapa Loc: Outside of nyc

Dress warm!!!!

GlenBose Loc: NE Florida, formerly Limerick, PA

I just returned (3 days ago) and used my 80D with my kit lens 18-135. It happens fast, be on the front deck, the high speed boats are rocking too much, the slower/larger boats (needed a longer lens), be prepared to wait in readiness for minutes on end before one shows up in motion for about 5 to 8 seconds. You're usually fitted with full body wet weather gear which means your camera is exposed and in your hand most of the time. Set the camera for multiple shooting on camera with spot shooting if in AF, or if in manual know how to focus quickly, shutter speed above 800. Not every shot will count but you'll usually see 5 to 8 on the 3 hour trip (dock to dock). Also be prepared to shoot the sea birds that will flutter close to the boat, BIF galore.
Good luck with sunshine, my days were heavy with clouds and colors didn't pop. You only get to see about (at best) 1/3 of the whale at any time. Take care that the sky's reflection off the water can be a challenge as well.
Luck to you and have fun,
Larry

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Warm clothes. Take your longest lens with you. Have your camera/lens vibration inhibitor set for both vertical and horizontal. You may find using a fast shutter speed will be helpful.

And have a GREAT time.

TBPJr Loc: South Carolina

Use your longest and fastest lens; do your best to get a good viewing position where you can lean against a rail, a wall, or something else sturdy (a monopod is not a good idea); set your camera for focus and exposure on the center point (while this means you have to get that point on one of the whales, it will also help you get a reliable exposure and focus--it is really hard to get good focus when you have multiple points chosen, because there is either a flat water scene or land in the background--either way, you have to control the focus and exposure point well); and be ready. One tip: the last time I took pictures of whales, the sea birds clustered over and started hitting the water where the whales breached several seconds before the whales arrived (the birds were after the fish the whales were chasing from below). You might like using your continuous shooting setting, too--a burst will sometimes capture things you can't catch with evaluation and the inherent delay.

thomseninc

If the boat you're on has two levels, go to the highest level as soon as you board and stay there. Shots from above avoid the distraction (and exposure confusion) of having the horizon/sky in the picture. Unlike the whales I've seen in Alaska, the whales I saw in Iceland didn't broach. I don't know why. The best shots, therefore, became the shots of the flukes. The 70-200 will be perfect. Shoot a lot and sort them out later!

jak86094

I've been lucky enough to see numerous species of whales over the years and the one thing I wished I had for taking better photos was more knowledge about the species' behaviors. Will they breach? Is there a way to tell when they are diving deep? Are there special feeding behaviors? Maybe this extra knowledge will help you get that "keeper" you're after.

twowindsbear

Take your motion sickness meds!

chucksphotos914

Thank all of you for the input. Hopefully, I'll have some good shots to post. I'm excited about the opportunity.

Stasiu

Several inputs have already mentioned using a fast telephoto lens. That is right on advice. I believe using a long lens is an absolute necessity as the boats are not allowed to come closer than--as I recall--200 feet from a whale. I also use a polarizing filter, to enhance the contrast of the shot and make the whale stand out from the water more clearly. For what it is worth, I think the advice you have received thus far is very good. Oh, and also bring rain gear as cold weather clothing by itself can get soaked pretty fast.

chucksphotos914

I have a polarizing filter and will be sure to use it. Thank you all for your input.