Photography
Interview: Photographer Jem Cresswell Speaks to the Intimacy and Humility of Documenting Humpback Whales
All images © Jem Cresswell, shared with permission
For years, Sydney-based photographer Jem Cresswell (previously) has been diving into the ocean to document the otherwise unseen lives of humpback whales, a humbling experience he recounts in the latest interview supported by Colossal Members. He discusses what drew him to the mammalian subject matter and how collaborating with them during a long period has offered insight into their complex natures.
There is very little you can control underwater—you are at the mercy of the elements—and of the wildlife. You can’t force a natural interaction with a wild animal, which makes it all the more rewarding when everything comes together.
In this conversation, contributor Anna Marks speaks with Cresswell about the pressures of working underwater, capturing the unique personalities of individual animals, and building relationships between species.
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