Astonishing Underwater Footage Shows Sheer Size Of Whales As They Dwarf Brave Photographer (VIDEO)

Astonishing underwater footage shows sheer size of whales as they dwarf brave photographer.

Coming face to face with some of the world’s largest mammals is a “religious experience” underwater photographer Göran Ehlmé.

Not many of us can get up close and personal with some of the sea’s most majestic creatures.

But for Göran Ehlmé, swimming with shoals of fish, or going underwater with whales , is all in a day’s work.

The 51-year-old photographer has won awards for his below-the-surface snapshots, but even though he’s been diving for 23 years, he’s still not seen everything.

Growing up on the west coast of Sweden, Göran spent his childhood days snorkeling in the sea. He trained as a carpenter before pursing his passion for the open sea and what lies beneath.

He says that coming up close and personal with the creatures he captures on camera is a “religious experience”, but admits it wasn’t always this easy.

Göran Ehlmé speaking after being discovered by San Miguel as one of 20 ‘life-rich’ individuals from across the globe.

His first snapping attempt in the 1980s saw him throw his camera forgotten on a shelf, after he spent hours snapping merrily underwater and not one shot was usable.

But going back to it has paid off, as he’s been celebrated for his work, winning the Wildlife Photographer of the Year gong and working on documentaries for the BBC and Discovery Channel including the iconic Blue Planet.

The incredible experiences he has had with walrus, emperor penguins and leopard seals sound like stories from a nature documentary.

He has filmed beluga, narwhal, seals, walrus and other mammals in the Canadian Arctic, Greenland and Svalbard.

“I feel so happy and lucky in the water with all of these beautiful creatures all around me, that’s why I do it.”

His talent for capturing animals in their natural surroundings close to the surface means he is in demand for images which help to reveal more about the mysterious creatures of the deep.

“If you work with mammals, most of them are really friendly, they can see that you’re not a threat to them. If you’re gentle and not pushy or disturbing them, you will get something good.

“Most of the time, if you just hang in there they will eventually decide that it’s time to socialise and relax.

“We think we’re out whale watching but it’s totally the other way around.”

In Antarctica, Göran filmed humpback and minke whales and all members of the seal family including the leopard.

He has also captured most penguin species, including emperors, and many invertebrates on film.

In the Azores – Faial and San Miguel – he spent four seasons diving with sperm whales, and since 1985 he has been diving with orcas in Norway and became experienced with the whales.

“That is when there is a danger, because they simply don’t know that you are there.

“If they’re feeding and you’re on top of a herring school, they have no idea you’re there.

“I’ve been down once with humpbacks when it’s been a real frenzy and I’ve had to swim out to get away to the edge of the school.

“Another problem has been with the leopard seals in the Antarctic.

“They do not eat people – they eat penguins and crill. But anything that walks onto the ice edge is in their minds a penguin.

“They don’t see you, they just hear something above them and think it’s time for them to grab their next meal.”

But more important even than the shooting time in the deep blue sea is the administrative element, Göran says.

“The most important part of everything is the logistics, and what you do before you go. The camera is preset, my equipment and my drysuit are all ready to go.

“It means when you get down there, you’re able to look at the animal and the best options for the pictures.

“You need a place where there are hopefully a lot of animals and you have a lot of encounters, giving you the best opportunities for good shots and good visibility.”

Thanks to his expertise in the ‘field’, Göran is head-designer of drysuits and wetsuits for his company, Waterproof International.

Göran Ehlmé is the first individual to be discovered by San Miguel as part of its search for the San Miguel Rich List, a list of 20 ‘life-rich’ individuals from across the globe who have unique, compelling, aspirational human stories.

Visit their website to find out more about the campaign, and discover other life-rich individuals.

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/astonishing-underwater-footage-shows-sheer-8497258