In the Eyes of Giants

Up close and personal with the Earth's largest creatures

For most of us, the size of a whale is only understood through textbook image comparisons, the exhibit at your local museum, or anything you can find on Discovery Channel. But a few folks out there have a firsthand experience of how it feels to be in the presence of something almost larger than life itself — whales. And as we humans have started to unveil more and more about these gargantuan creatures, we have learned they are a lot more complex than we ever could have imagined. In majesty and intelligence, being in the presence of these leviathans can alter your perspective. To get a closer vantage point on whales in the wild, we asked our friend Karim Iliya — photographer and filmmaker dedicated to preserving the Earth, who spends most of his time submerged underwater — to ask some fellow photographers who have been lucky enough to come face to face with whales about how their interaction affected their lives above the surface. Here’s what he asked before diving in: 

“Throughout history, whales have been hunted, or revered as spirits and gods. People travel vast distances across the world to swim with them, see them, or simply be near them. How does being in the presence of such a large creature make you feel? How does it give you perspective on yourself, your place in nature, and the rest of the world? Provide an image that portrays this experience.”

 

Rachel Moore

In the presence of a whale, I feel incredibly small and yet deeply connected to something vast and ancient. Being in the water beside an animal so powerful yet so gentle strips away ego — it’s humbling, almost sacred. Their eyes hold a kind of wisdom that feels older than time. In those quiet moments, I’m reminded that I’m not separate from nature, but part of it. Every encounter leaves me with the same truth: We’re guests in their world, and protecting it is both a privilege and a responsibility.

@moore_rachel | rachelmoorephotos.com

 

Allegra Hutton

Have you ever had to avoid being hit by a humpback calf? I have — and it was as thrilling and wonderful as it sounds.

I couldn’t help but think how lucky I was to even be in their presence as a human, the very species that almost drove humpbacks to extinction. But the humpbacks showed no animosity — just curiosity, love, and forgiveness.

As a conservation photographer, it’s only taken me a short time to realize that love is at the heart of it all. There is no room for anger or grudges.That’s not what will drive change. Love, forgiveness, kindness, acceptance, and the thirst to just connect — that’s what will change the world.

@allegrahutton | allegrahutton.com

 

Karim Iliya 

There is a beauty in the fact that whales, the largest filter feeders in the world, have communities of barnacles, some of the smallest filter feeders, living on them. I sometimes wonder if the barnacles are aware that they are living on the body of a giant. We often overlook them, treating them as a burden when they are attached to the bottom of a boat or dock. But inside the shell is a living creature, filtering little particles of food, hitching a ride on a long journey from Antarctica all the way to the warm waters of Tonga.

This gentle whale rolled onto his back under me and stayed there for a minute or so while I photographed the barnacles.

@karimiliya | karimiliya.com

 

Kelsey Williamson 

Seven years ago, I moved to a small island in French Polynesia to chase a dream: to swim with humpback whales. Since then, I’ve entered the water with them over 500 times, and each encounter still leaves me in awe. Their presence is ancient, deliberate, and humbling. When they swim past and look you in the eye, it’s a feeling beyond words, like a silent exchange of wisdom. It puts everything into perspective — the rush, the noise, the pressure to prove ourselves. Out there with them, all of that quiets down. You remember what actually matters. In their presence, I find respect and a deeper connection to the wildness of this planet.

@kelsealoha | kelseywilliamson.com

 

Kaushiik Subramaniam

Being in the presence of whales is profoundly humbling. Their sheer size and grace evoke awe, reminding me of how small we are in the grand scale of nature. It’s a moment of quiet reverence — being before a living relic of Earth’s history. Sharing the water with such a sentient giant shifts perspective, grounding me in how interconnected all of life is. It’s a powerful reminder that we are not separate from nature, but a part of it. And we must act as its guardians.

@kaushman | kaush.net

 

Jono Allen 

In the presence of sperm whales, I feel the boundaries between myself and the wild begin to dissolve. These beings, so ancient and immense, carry wisdom in their stillness and joy in their expressions. Watching them interact, I see flashes of emotion I know intimately, from playfulness and curiosity to protectiveness and even mischief. Despite the vast differences between us — species, habitats, lives — we share a mutual curiosity about one another. It is a powerful reminder that complexity, connection, and shared experiences are what connect us all on this planet.

@jonoallenphotography | jonoallen.com

 

Karim Iliya 

I slid under the water, my heart pounding and lungs filled with a single breath of air, and swam silently in the direction the captain had pointed. They appeared like ghosts from the deep blue, the most intimidating animal on Earth, a top predator, capable of taking down great white sharks and hunting humpback whales for their tongue as a delicacy. Though I'd seen photos and read about them in books, I did not know how big they really were. I stopped in my tracks, feeling their incredible power, knowing that this was their ocean and I was at their whim. Orcas are almost god-like in the ocean. They go where they want and are feared by many. But with humans, they are very gentle and often curious, despite their reputation. We are not their food. It's moments like these that make me realize I am just a small part of this planet, connected to all life, from the mighty cedar tree to the tiny plankton drifting in the ocean. In the presence of these animals, I'm reminded what a privilege it is to be from planet Earth.

@karimiliya | karimiliya.com

 

Feature image by Karim Iliya