Featured Image Credit: David Edgar via Daily Mail
By Laura O’Brien
Amateur photographer David Edgar began working on underwater photography after being inspired by photographs his partner found on Instagram. In addition to learning a whole new type of photography, Edgar also had to learn how to free dive; which is much less obtrusive for both the photographer and the marine life than scuba equipment.
After three years of honing his diving skills and practicing his art, Edgar struck gold. The self described “serious amateur” photographer traveled from his home in Sydney, Australia to Indonesia and Tonga, where he captured breathtaking interactions with humpback whales and manta rays.
Edgar and his partner walked away from the adventure with far more than their beautiful shots, a sense of awe struck the couple throughout their experience interacting with the giant marine animals. They were amazed at how comfortable the creatures were around humans, allowing the two to approach them and be so close. Edgar was especially moved by the curiosity of baby humpbacks and even the manta rays.
After such an unbelievable experience, Edgar already has his next project in mind. Edgar intends to travel to Norway, where he will photograph orcas in the dead of winter. There will be new challenges that face him for this mission; the climate will be far less hospitable than the warm waters around Indonesia and Tonga, and the subjects of his photography are quite different.
Although orcas are extremely inquisitive like the baby humpbacks and manta rays, they are more dangerous; so Edgar will have to learn how to safely photograph the mammals. Edgar is ecstatic looking forward to his trip; and for now he intends to capture the diverse marine life near his home at least once a week. Maybe Edgar will quit his day-job in finance now that he’s shown the merit of his work with these outstanding shots!