What’s In My Bag: A Whale-Watching Kit For Topside & Underwater Photography

Reading Time 2 min.

Author Jérémy Gonçalves

Date 2024.03.07

Photographer and underwater adventurer Jérémy Gonçalves (@jeresssss) first got into underwater photography when he was gifted a Sony RX100 VII paired with a Nauticam housing. “I started to take photos only underwater,” he says. “After several journeys that have nurtured and grown this passion, I decided to immerse myself fully among these large marine animals, to discover and capture them through the lens of my camera. In 2020 I decided to leave everything else behind to follow whales. I've loved them since I was a young child, especially orcas. Nowadays, I spend my time between Norway for orcas, Mauritius for sperm whales, Reunion island for humpbacks and dolphins, and French Polynesia for sharks and rays.” Gonçalves says he has fallen in love with the Sony system that he uses as he travels the world to fulfill his photography passion. In addition to the RX100 VII that he started with, he now uses an Alpha 9 and a pair of Sony G Master zooms. We caught up with him to learn more about the cameras and lenses you’ll find in his kit. Keep reading as he shares what’s in his bag and some of the imagery he’s created with it.

Product Preview – In This Article You’ll Find:
–Sony Alpha 9
–Sony RX100 VII
–Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master
–Sony 24-70mm f/4

Jérémy Gonçalves' underwater kit

Cameras

(2) Sony Alpha 9: I love my Sony RX100 VII, but needed something to keep up with the difficulties I face in my photography. Taking photos of orcas underwater in Norway is challenging because of the dark waters combined with their fast movement. I settled on the Sony Alpha 9 because its speed is perfect for what I need. I actually ended up getting a second Sony Alpha 9 so that I can also have it onboard to take photos of whales from the boat. It also serves as a backup should my Sony Alpha 9 for underwater run into any issues. Underwater photos will always be my priority.

Photo by Jérémy Gonçalves. Sony Alpha 9. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/800-sec., f/2.8, ISO 250

Photo by Jérémy Gonçalves. Sony Alpha 9. Sony 24-70mm f/4. 1/400-sec., f/4, ISO 250

Sony RX100 VII: This was my first Sony camera, and while I mostly use my Sony Alpha 9 cameras, I still bring this one along with me. It’s my lucky charm.

Lenses

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master: I bought this lens along with my second Sony Alpha 9 camera to take photos of whales from the boat. The range the lens gives me allows me to get some incredible whale images above water.

Photo by Jérémy Gonçalves. Sony Alpha 9. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/3200-sec., f/5, ISO 250

Photo by Jérémy Gonçalves. Sony Alpha 9. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/4000-sec., f/6.3, ISO 1600

Sony 24-70mm f/4: I use this lens for underwater photography, but only when there is clear water. It doesn’t give quite enough light for the dark waters of Norway but it’s a great lens that I use quite a bit.

Photo by Jérémy Gonçalves. Sony Alpha 9. Sony 24-70mm f/4. 1/400-sec., f/22, ISO 2500

Photo by Jérémy Gonçalves. Sony Alpha 9. Sony 24-70mm f/4. 1/400-sec., f/4.5, ISO 400

Accessories

Two Nauticam Housings: These keep my Sony cameras safe when I'm shooting underwater images.

See more of Jérémy Gonçalves’ work on Instagram @jeresssss.

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