Patience and respect.
Photographer Kurt Arrigo tells me this was his methodology and his mantra, when he embarked on this shoot in the waters off Tonga, in the South Pacific Ocean.
Kurt has been an ocean photographer for over 30 years. Famed in the yachting world for his yacht racing and regatta images, he is also widely acclaimed for his sports photography and dramatic, geographic landscapes. Merging his spirit of adventure with his passion for sailing and scuba diving, he quickly gained a reputation as a distinguished underwater and marine photographer.
This photograph was the result of a personal photographic mission for Kurt, who sought to highlight the fragility of life in our oceans. Images from the series have since been used for various NGO environmental projects and initiatives, as well as being the images of choice for various high-profile venues such as the Rolex Oscars Green Room, where they were used in 2019.
“The ocean is a sensitive environment and, in this instance, being sensitive to the temperament of the whale and knowing how to interpret her movements were key,” tells Kurt. “I grew up at the water’s edge and I have always been intrigued by the sea and nature – I feel a deep connection with it, and I feel privileged to share my love for it in any way that will help people understand how fragile it is.”
