Amateur photographer Glenn Fenwick is determined to get that ‘perfect shot’ of the ocean’s most majestic creature.
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He hasn’t nailed it yet but he hopes this October will be the year.
Mr Fenwick spends all his free time during migration season trying to capture photos of whales playing off the Shellharbour coast.
Humpback whales are travelling back down south towards Antarctica and Illawarra residents get some of the best seats to watch.
Mr Fenwick, with his camera in hand, loves the thrill of trying to capture shots of whales from land.
“I love the challenge of trying to anticipate where the whales will breach,” he said.
“I guess I am a naturist and I love seeing animals in their natural habitat.
“I am often out along the coast of Shellharbour as much as possible to try and get the perfect shot.”
The best vantage points to catch a glimpse of humpback whales from land are at Wollongong Lighthouse, Port Kembla Hill 60 Lookout, Barrack Point, Bass Point and Kiama Lighthouse.
“Illawarra residents are lucky because the whales come so close to the cliff or into the bays to have a play and put on a show,” Mr Fenwick said.
The photographer said he started taking photos of whales and doing ocean photography regularly in 2010.
He said over the past seven years it had been “great” to see the increase in the number of whales migrating each year.
Mr Fenwick shares his photos on the Shellharbour Whale and Dolphin Sightings Facebook page, which has more than 1300 members.
The photographer said he enjoyed the social aspect of whale watching.
“There is a regular community of whale watchers who meet down at the different vantage points,” Mr Fenwick said.
“We share tips, advice and equipment. I think we all love to get together out in nature to see whales put on a spectacular show.
“People go whale watching with their mobile phones, point-and-shoot cameras and then there the enthusiast who use the proper equipment.
“Someone people have been coming for a couple of years and have slowly bought better camera gear and we help them to use it.
“Then there are others who just come with their binoculars and are happy to watch.”
Mr Fenwick said he wished ocean photography was his full time job but it kept him “sane” in his full time job as a security supervisor.
“It is a very expensive hobby but one that I love,” he said. “I’m lucky my wife Michelle is as a mad as me about whale photography.”
Mr Fenwick encouraged those who went out on boats or jetskis to avoid going too close to the whales and their calves and reminded people to abide by the law.
To see more images from Mr Fenwick, visit his Facebook page Glennfen Imagery or Glennfen on Instagram.
