The Foreign Citizen

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Friday, August 27, 2010 | 5 photos

There are few places left in the world where humans can interact with the raw, uninhibited nature. Australia is one of those. Another, lesser known, is Ecuador. Although the Galapogos islands are world renouned, continental Ecuador holds treasures untold, one of which is the ballenas.

Ballenas is the spanish word for whales. Once a year heards of humbacks come off the central coast of Ecuador to feed and mate. This part of the country has yet to establish a major tourist infrastructure- those traveling through can simply hire a day aboard a local fisherboat to go in search of whale activity.

June through August, visitors are almost guaranteed to see surface whale activity. That is, whales swimming to the top and breathing out big watery puffs. The lucky people get to see them jump. I was one of those people.

It had been a beautiful day photographing surfacing whales- I was content with my shots of mom and pup swimming side by side. Then as we were almost heading in for the day- a shout came from our lookout. "Ballenas saltando!" (Whales jumping!)

We were off with a flash, across the ocean and into the distance. And there they were. A lone fishing boat holding a few local tourists was the only thing on the horizon other than these magnificent creatures.

I'm an amatear photographer with a love for travel, penchant for story telling, and a dedication to capture beauty on film. I chose this series because it tells a story and gives the viewer feelings of a energy charged moment in time. I shot it on my recent 6 month trek across South America.

I have room to improve my photography skills and I'm currently limited by my equipment. But I have an eye for composition and I take direction well. Working with Jason would be an honour. I am ready to take on Bhutan.