Nikon Experience: Whale Watching with Nikon Ambassador Matty Smith

Join Nikon Australia Ambassador Matty Smith for an exclusive whale-watching photography experience.
About this Event

Join Nikon Australia Ambassador Matty Smith for an exclusive 2-hr whale-watching photography experience.

Step aboard the vessel, The Osprey from Ocean Extreme and immerse yourself in an unforgettable hands-on experience. As the action unfolds before your eyes, Matty Smith will be by your side, sharing both the theoretical and practical photographic fundamentals. Benefit from the insights of one of the finest oceanic-wildlife photographers, gaining valuable knowledge about various whale behaviours. From mid-air breaches to the iconic silhouette of a tail slap, this is the ultimate excursion into the world of whale photography.

Please note, this is a 2-hour class. The event has been allocated 3 hours to account for boarding and disembarking times.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate.

Images by Matty Smith and Ross Hooper

Topics Covered:

• Settings and tips to capturing the action

• Exposure control

• Framing and composition

• Focus techniques

• Whale behaviour & pre-empting their activity

What to Bring:

• Mirrorless Camera or DSLR

• Telephoto lens (24-70mm, 70-200mm, 300mm)

• Spare batteries (make sure they are fully charged)

• Spare Memory Cards

• Polarising Filter (Recommended but not required)

• Identification

• Wind/Rain resistant poncho - wet weather clothing & shoes

• Rain covers for cameras.

• Lens Clothes.

• Drinking Water & snacks

• Seasickness Medic*tion (if necessary)

Course Inclusions:

• 30 min pre-onshore brief with Matty at 7:30 am before boarding at 8 am

• 2-hour charter, Ocean Extreme, Whale Watching experience with Matty Smith

Nikon Gear Loan

There will be a range of Nikon cameras and telephoto lenses for attendees to try out on the day. There will be a limited number of cameras and lenses available and gear loans will be given out on a first come first served basis. Please make sure to bring your memory cards.

PLEASE READ - General Tour Conditions from Ocean Extreme
• All passengers must be at least 12 years old.
• An adult must accompany children under 18 years of age.
• Passengers must arrive at meeting point at the wharf 30 minutes prior to departure for pre boarding brief.
• Ocean Extreme operates in an outdoor marine environment. Conditions vary and passengers may get wet.
• All passengers ride at their own risk and are required to sign an ‘Assumption of Risk’ form prior to boarding.
• Passengers with back, neck, shoulder or heart conditions, or those who are pregnant or who have injuries/conditions that may cause a risk to their health are not permitted to travel with Ocean Extreme and if do so, travel at their own risk.
• Ocean Extreme and the event organiser will not be held responsible for any personal injuries, equipment loss or damage sustained whilst travelling, embarking or disembarking the Ocean Extreme vessel.
• Ocean Extreme and event organiser take no responsibility for safety or loss/damage of valuables.
• Passengers may be filmed/photographed during the tour. Ocean Extreme reserves the right to reproduce such film/photos for any purpose whatsoever without notification, compensation or payment.
• Ocean Extreme reserves the right to alter the departure time and departure point as and when required.
• Ocean Extreme reserves the right to add, withdraw, substitute and/or vary advertised routes, prices and departure times at any time.
• No smoking or alcohol is permitted on the vessel at any time.
• Ocean Extreme reserves the right to refuse service to those who are believed to be affected by alcohol or drugs and no refund will be provided.
• Ocean Extreme reserves the right to refuse passengers for any reason.
• If whales are not spotted on a whale watching tour, each passenger will be issued with a credit for another Whale Watching tour during the same whale watching season. Reride credits are non-refundable and non-transferable. I.e. you cannot give your reride credit to another person, it can only be used by the person who went on the initial tour.

Note: If your Nikon camera is SnapBridge compatible, please bring along your mobile device with the SnapBridge application already installed.

For more course information or inquiries phone: 1300 851 435 (Mon-Fri 9-4 PM AEDT)