DANNY LEE
“If these interactions are going to happen, it’s going to be on the whale’s terms”
Danny Lee first started shooting underwater soon after he moved to Tasmania's east coast in 2005 after getting his SCUBA certification.
“I got tired of explaining to people the incredible sights and creatures I was seeing, and I thought that showing them via photographs would be easier.”
Danny is well known for his photographs of Southern Right Whales in Tasmania.
Experience of a lifetime
Danny and his freediving buddy Quinton Schlieben found out some Southern Right Whales were spotted in the waters off The Bay of Fires on Tasmania’s East Coast. They headed out in the cool water nearby the whale and waited.
“The bond that I witnessed between this huge Southern Right Whale and her calf was beautiful to watch. Check out the calf peering out from behind it's mother's pectoral fin.
I was trying so hard to get my fin out the frame as I took this shot, but I clearly failed! The Whale looked at me as if he was saying: "That's not a fin! This is is a fin!"
Curious creatures
“The whales could have left after 5 minutes if they wanted to. 45 minutes later they kept coming back, cruising around us.. they were not phased at all.”
To learn more about Danny’s incredible experiences with Southern Right Whales in Tasmania, tune into his episode on Matt Testoni’s Seacreatures Podcast.
Exploring the island
Danny loves exploring the many reefs and dive sites around Tasmania.
“Governor's Island in Bicheno for the large rock structure and fish diversity. The Tamar River blows my mind with its sponge gardens and seahorses. Off the North east coast, Papanui Rocks is mind blowing for its water clarity and sandy gullies bordered with spectacular reef mounts.”
“The Bay of Fires holds a special place because I called it home for 16 years and had some incredible Whale, Dolphin, and Albatross encounters in the region.”
“And I have barely scratched the surface of the places I want to explore on the GSR.”
Atlantis
One of the my most special things Danny experienced on the GSR recently was to visit a spot he remembers snorkelling in his early teens.
“To go back 30 years later and have those memories all come flooding back is amazing. This little reef is so unique in its topography and structure and I have not seen anything remotely similar to it anywhere in Tasmania.”
He calls it 'Atlantis', due to its miniture ruined city vibes. Hundreds of pillar-like stones bathed in sunshine, rise up out of the shallow reef.
“It is one of the most relaxing and beautiful spots to unleash your imagination.”
Appreciating the beauty
“Some people never get the chance to put their face in the sea, or wouldn't choose to for various reasons.”
Through Danny’s images he likes to think that people may get the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of what we have around us, and understanding that what lies beneath the oceans surface holds wonders that are worth looking after and respecting.
Creative vision
For Danny his photography has now turned into a small business that excites him every day.
“I love finding new angles and playing with lighting and editing to give my photos a unique style that hopefully gets people excited about Tasmania's underwater world.”
Learn about more passionate photographers and artists inspired by the Great Southern Reef.
