When I was just starting out my career, an opportunity came up to live and work in Tonga for three years. I signed up for the opportunity knowing next to nothing about the country and soon discovered the wonder of Tonga's whale season.
After my first underwater camera, a trusty Olympus TG-4 wore out, I took the plunge and upgraded to an Ikelite setup with a Canon EOS R5 inside and never looked back.
Since ending my time in Tonga in 2018, I've been making annual pilgrimages to Tonga to catch up with my friends on land and at sea.
The whales in Tonga are there to give birth and a swim with a baby whale is a fun encounter. Much like human toddlers, these little guys have no sense of self-preservation and only have playing on their mind. Some of the closest interactions are with curious babies under the watchful eye of the mum. © James Deane
The moment of eye contact with a humpback whale is accompanied by a deep sense of intelligent awareness and mutual curiosity. This humpback seemed to be enjoying a moment of idleness, playing with seaweed and meandering back and forth, when we caught its attention. © James Deane
Whale photography is so unpredictable and dynamic. The animals are massive and whale behaviour so varied that before you even take into account the weather and the sea state so variable, you never know what you'll get. The endless variety is what keeps me coming back year after year. © James Deane
A curious humpback whale closing the distance off Tongatapu island. This shot was taken at 10mm and uncropped. Finally getting to put the full range of canon's widest rectilinear lens to good use. © James Deane
Over under shots of the humpbacks offer so many photographic options. Snell's windows, gentle blurred out water lines, I love being able to experiment. The 8" dome goes a long way to ensuring you get more keepers. © James Deane
While I mostly shoot below the water, one of the joys of being a whale photographer is being able to experience the joy and the experience for first timers. Tears, uncontrollable laughter, deep contemplation, you never know how someone is going to react to the experience and it's a great feeling to be able to give someone a snapshot of their experience. © James Deane
James' Gear
Additional Viewing
My Micronesian Ikelite System for Canon R5 // David Fleetham's Underwater Photography Gear [VIDEO]
Featured Customers | Russell Rockwell In Pursuit of Tonga
Photographing Fiji Underwater with the Canon R5 II: An In-Depth Review
Whale Photography 101: Sperm, Humpback, and Southern Right Whales
Gray Whales, Blue Water | Photographing Humpback Whales in Moorea
James Deane is a Brisbaine-based underwater photographer. After working in Tonga photographing whales for years, James returned home but his heart has remained in Tonga. That's why, each year, he makes his annual pilgrimage back to Tonga to dive with these gentle giants. James started shooting underwater with the compact OM System Tough Series cameras, and now shoots with the powerful Canon R5 inside an Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing. To see more of James' whale photography, follow him on Instagram @jamesalexdeanephotography.
