Interview: Neha Paranjape - Photographing Whales (+ New Zealand)
Photographer: Neha Paranjape
Based: Sydney, Australia
Instagram: @postcardsbyneha
Quick-Fire Questions
Favorite lens? M Zuiko 40-150mm f2.8 pro
Presets or manual editing? Manual editing. I enjoy re-living the moments in the editing process and bringing out the emotions I felt while shooting through my editing.
Sunrise or sunset? Tough one! Seascapes and historic cities (Rome, Florence, etc. at sunrise; whales at sunset.)
Favorite snack while shooting/travelling? Mandarins, nuts, coffee!
The #1 photo location you’ll always recommend or return to: West Coast, South Island – New Zealand. There is so much diversity in the landscape.
Photographic Journey
1. How did you first get into photography? What sparked your interest in travel photography specifically?
My journey with photography goes back a long way. My parents gifted me a film camera when I was 9yrs old and I still remember the excitement of capturing pictures on holiday and then getting them developed. Years later, while going through a difficult phase in life, I turned to my phone camera to capture the beauty around me and was encouraged by how therapeutic I found it. Then during COVID, I was in NZ between lockdowns and managed to travel around the South Island with a brand new camera. It was my way of dealing with the strange times. Photography has always been a hobby I have turned to, particularly during difficult times.
2. When/where did you first photograph whales and what was it about the experience that’s made you go out again and again?
I first photographed whales off Sydney Harbour in 2022, a year after I’d moved to Sydney. I have always felt a connection with whales and when I realised the east coast migration route is through Sydney, it was a no-brainer that I had to get on a boat. On my very first trip, we cruised south and I saw a big juvenile whale breach right off Bondi beach. I couldn’t quite believe what unfolded before my eyes. I was teary and ecstatic and I knew this hobby would stick. I felt like I’d struck gold when later, I realised I managed to capture my first ever breach on camera – in focus. The adrenaline and emotion was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.
“Our brilliant captain followed his instinct and we decided to venture quite a way east off the coast only to be greeted by a large female and a juvenile performing a perfectly choreographed double breach sequence. The memory of this experience still gives me goosebumps – it was unheard of and we saw it unfold twice!”
3. What camera(s) and lens(es) do you usually pack for whale watching? Are there any accessories you always take on the boat with you
I’m an Olympus girl and I use the OMD-EM1 MK III camera with the M Zuiko 40-150mm f2.8 pro lens. I love that the camera and lenses are super lightweight and weatherproof! This is especially important when you’re braving the elements on a boat! When I’m out photographing whales, I always also carry a lens cloth, microfibre cloth to wipe down the camera and crystallised ginger to help with the swell!
4. How do you approach settings: Do you watch and wait, or adjust to the conditions and hope for the best?
When you’re out photographing whales, you’re in their habitat and conditions are ever changing plus any action you see happens very quickly. Given this context, I find it easiest to shoot in Aperture mode. During the day and golden hour, I shoot on f7.1 with ISO 200-400 (depending on how cloudy it is, adjusting as the light drops). I then let the camera decide the shutter speed.
I also use the continuous auto focus and low sequential mode to shoot whales so that no matter the action / how big a breach is, I usually have my images in focus and don’t miss anything because it is all over within 2-3 seconds!
5. How do you balance exposure when the sun is setting behind the whale?
Great question! Honestly, when you’re on the boat photographing whales, your eyes are on the whale. The camera is set to capture the whale – a nice sunset/city backdrop is a bonus. So I balance the light/exposure during the editing process – drop highlights, exposure and bring up brightness to adjust. .
6. How do you know where a whale will breach, are there any signs or do you shoot wide and cross your fingers?
Cruising alongside whales makes you realise they are creatures of habit. When you observe them keenly, you can pick up on patterns. Some whales start and continue in cruise mode throughout the trip. Some whales are inquisitive and curious and play hide and seek games with the boat. Some whales really respond to the noise around Sydney harbour and adjust their behaviour accordingly. It’s not uncommon to see a change in behaviour as whales cross the Sydney Harbour Heads – they either go from cruise to breach mode or vice versa. Most times though, you shoot and keep your fingers crossed you captured the whale in focus 😊
7. What’s been the behaviour you enjoy photographing most?
As much as I enjoy photographing breaching whales, there is something incredibly special about whale tails. The elegance of a perfectly orchestrated fluke dive, the brute power of a big tail throw, the intrigue of a tail slap. They are all such unique and interesting behaviours.
8. Is there a moment that stands out amongst the many hours you’ve spent at sea?
I’ve probably done approx. 70 trips in the last 3 years and each trip has been special in its own way. However, in addition to my very first trip in May 2022, there are 3 other trips that are etched in my memory – all from June of the last 3 years!
The first was June 2022 when we witnessed 2 sets of double breaches on a cold winter’s morning 5 miles off Sydney harbour. We’d spent the morning looking for whales and we spotted a couple on the horizon far away. Our brilliant captain followed his instinct and we decided to venture quite a way east off the coast only to be greeted by a large female and a juvenile performing a perfectly choreographed double breach sequence. The memory of this experience still gives me goosebumps – it was unheard of and we saw it unfold twice!
The second trip that remains an absolute favourite was in June 2023. We were out at sunset following a female cruising along making most the southerly swell. It was cloudy, the sun was trying to peek through and out of nowhere, the sun broke through the cloud at Sydney harbour heads and this whale launched itself out of the water to soak in the sun’s rays. It was one of the most surreal moments – it was almost like the whale carried a message from the universe to let go of fears. To take a leap of faith, learn to trust again. To soak up the sunshine and be free. I was struggling with my mental health and needed some magic on the water and this beautiful whale delivered!
The third trip that is a standout is one from June 2024. After 2 seasons for photographing whales in Sydney, I dreamed of capturing a breaching whale with the Sydney city skyline in the background. Last year in June, we found a little (!) lost juvenile whale, cruising in the wrong direction. The juvenile treated us to around 40 breaches in a short space of time. My theory is, it was cruising south and breaching as a way of communicating to its mother that it was lost. While it was breaching though, I managed to capture an image I have wanted for over 2 years. And a few minutes after this, the juvenile also managed to find its mother and changed it course to join its mother northbound to the barrier reef.
These are just some of the many memorable moments on the boat. The more trips I do, the more I’m treated to moments I’ll always remember!
9. Based on your time photographing whales, what advice would you give to someone venturing out for their first trip?
My biggest tip is to put your phone (and other distractions away) and keep your eyes and cameras on the water, unless of course, you are using your phone camera. Everything happens very quickly on the water – you get a mere 2-3 seconds, if that, when a whale breaches or comes up for air. If you can keep it simple with your settings and just enjoy the whale behaviour, you’ll walk away with amazing memories and hopefully some beautiful imagery! Oh and don’t forget to cheer on your whales – they respond to noise. The more woohoos they get, the more playful they’re likely to be!
10. What do you enjoy most about being a member of The Travel Photography Club?
The richness of content in the Travel Photography Club is incredible and such an inspiration. I also enjoy the diverse community that has come together as a result of the club.
11. Have you pursued any study for photography (university/technical courses), or have you taken part in a course with The Wandering Lens before?
I have completed the Creative Photography course during covid which was incredibly helpful. I learned so many cool techniques and tips through the course – it really gave my photography a different lens. I’m also about to start building my print store with resources from The Travel Photography Club and The Wandering Lens – watch this space!
12. What are some challenges you’ve encountered as a travel photographer, and how do you overcome them?
Imposter syndrome is real. It’s why it’s taken me so long to finally embark on designing my print store. There is already so much amazing art out there, I am not sure anyone will want to buy mine 😊
13. What one piece of advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in photography, or may have just purchased their first camera?
Keep it simple. It’s really easy to go down the rabbit hole of getting super technical with settings but can often be overwhelming. Sometimes, the best thing to do is start shooting and the settings will gradually come to you.
14. Do you have any exciting trips or photography projects planned? What are you looking forward to capturing next?
The 2025 whale migration has just started so I am super excited to be back on the boat capturing the gentle giants of the ocean. And simultaneously also working on my print store.
A little note from Neha + how to get in contact…
I’d really like to give a shout-out to the crew and photographers on board Bubbles with Go Whale Watching. Everything I know about whale watching and whale photography, I have learned on the boat with an epic crew!
Follow Neha’s adventures during this year’s whale watching season via Instagram at @postcardsbyneha - hopefully there are many whale tails ahead!
