The right look

Richard Robinson's Image

Richard Robinson (New Zealand) becomes the object of fascination for a young whale.

With this curious whale calf investigating him, Richard's main challenge was to swim far enough away from the youngster to photograph it. The encounter lasted an incredible 30 minutes, with the calf circling Richard, swimming off and then returning for another look.

New Zealand's population of southern right whales, known as tohorā in Māori, were hunted to near extinction by European whalers in the 1800s and then again by Soviet whalers in the 1900s. Now protected, the population has bounced back from a small group, including just 13 breeding females, to more than 2,000 individuals.


Behind the lens

Richard Robinson

Richard Robinson

New Zealand

Richard is an underwater photojournalist based in New Zealand. Following in his grandfather's footsteps he started out as a press photographer in his hometown before moving to the country's largest newspaper. Fifteen years ago, his focus shifted, and he now concentrates full time on telling environmental wildlife stories from New Zealand and across the South Pacific. He is a Resident Photographer for New Zealand Geographic and often works closely with scientists to document animal behaviours rarely seen.

Image details

  • Canon EOS 5DS R
  • 8–15mm f4 lens at 15mm
  • 1/500 sec at f4.5  •   ISO 640  •   Aquatica housing
  • Port Ross, Auckland Island, New Zealand
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