Between Art and Documentation 

Matt Draper is currently documenting the ocean giants with a Leica M11-P and an M11 Monochrom, as well as 28mm and 35mm lenses. He built the necessary underwater housing himself. Labelled Sub13, he also sells it to interested Leica photographers. In addition to protection for the M, the Australian-born photographer offers underwater housing for the Leica Q. 

Draper's body of work clearly proves that documentary pictures can also have both artistic and aesthetic appeal. His pictures not only serve the observation and documentation of these majestic creatures, they are also works of art that anyone might want to hang on their wall.

Despite all the romanticising of his work, Draper describes daily life while working on the documentary as exhausting and meticulously planned. His day begins in the early hours, when he puts on his Neoprene suit and controls the camera and underwater casings that he had put together the evening before. Once the sun comes up, his boat leaves the harbour, looking out for the blow of whales. On board, the lighting is constantly adapted to the changing light conditions, which is the only way to be prepared for the decisive moment. He goes into the water together with his safety diver, gets close to the giants and takes the pictures. They are often out there for ten hours. After that, it is time to save and view the images, and prepare the equipment for the next day.