Tag Archives: oceans

First Friday Ventura- June 3rd Exhibit- “Oceans Alive”

In honor of World Oceans Day, on June 8th, we are highlighting some of our favorite marine life images, to bring awareness to these fantastic creatures. Sea Lions, Sea Stars, Pelicans, Dolphins, Orcas, Gray and Humpback whales are just a few of the diverse animals that live right off our Ventura County shores. We will also be featuring our underwater sound and video footage. The “Oceans Alive” featured exhibit will start on First Friday, June 3, and be on display all month long.

First Friday Ventura Exhibit
Opening Reception
Friday, June 3, 2016 from 6pm-9pm.

Latitudes Fine Art Gallery
401 E. Main St.
Ventura, CA 93001
805-642-5257
www.LatitudesFineArt.comOceansAliveExhibit035A0377-Edit
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Photographs of Humpback Whales at Santa Cruz Island

Got to spend the day at Santa Cruz Island with my older brother Mike, I had asked him to put his wood carving talents to work and to carve a series of Humpback Whale pieces to display at upcoming shows we are participating in and what better way to gain perspective of your subject than quietly observing these giants at times just a few feet away.

The display included fin slapping, tail slapping, surface lunge feeding and an interesting obsession with floating kelp paddies. It was quite an experience and education in Humpback behavior. Looking forward to seeing what he can come up with.

Humback whale fin near the coast of Santa Cruz Island.

Humback whale fin near the coast of Santa Cruz Island.

Humback whale fin slapping

Humback whale fin slapping

Photography Shooting Tips:
The day was overcast with not much contrast. The whale would appear for only seconds and then be gone.

  • #1 I set my ISO to 800
  • #2 I set my shutter speed to 1/1000 on TV mode (shutter priority)
  • #3 I set my exposure compensation to + 1

The ISO is high to ensure that I can use a fast shutter speed to allow for the quick change of direction the camera and lens have to make to follow the action, it also with give a more useful aperture f/8-f/11.
The +1 compensation will help with the expected flat dull light.
Shutter priority (TV MODE) are a must in this situation where the camera in constantly on the move, it also gives great sharpness to the drops of water on the tail and fins.

-Steve Munch

Hampback Whale

Hampback Whale

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