RUNNER-UP CATEGORY ANIMAL PORTRAITS
Craig Parry | Contact with the Dwarf Minke

Name: Craig Parry
Picture title: Contact with the Dwarf Minke
Category: Animal portraits
Nationality: Australia
Occupation: Full-time Nature and Adventure Photographer. Gallery owner and Commercial drone operator 

Technical information
Camera: Sony A7RIII 
Lens: Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM
EXIF: ISO 640, f6.3, 1/1250 sec
Other info: Using the 24-70mm f2.8 underwater is challenging due its focal length. It requires very clear water and a lot of light but I knew this lens would allow me to capture a portrait that was in intimite, engaging and unique.
Accessories: Aquatech water housing 

Craig says:

Capturing that moment when the dominant Dwarf Minke makes eye contact with you is truly humbling and an overwhelming experience. It took over 2 hours to develop trust with this particular Minke, he would swim past at a distance over and over and finally came so close to me at a slow pace that he almost completely stopped in the water column to check me out. This allowed me to capture this captivating portrait and I am extremely proud of this image.

The image was captured on the Ribbon Reefs which are a part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. I documented the Dwarf Minke migration the previous year and this helped me understand their behaviour and temperament allowing me to visualise this picture. Visualisaton has always been a big part of my success as a nature photographer allowing me to capture unique and abstract images.