Mammal field guide · Oceanic Dolphins

Photographing the Orca

How to photograph the Orca (Orcinus orca): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (June, July and August).

150–900 cm1/2000–1/3200 s

150–900 cm

Typical length (family range)

1/1000 s

Shutter: perched / still

1/2000–1/3200 s

Shutter: action / flight

f/6.3–f/8

Aperture

6,609

Research-grade sightings in N. America

Recommended camera settings#

ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float

Shutter (still)1/1000 s

Shutter (action)1/2000–1/3200 s

Aperturef/6.3–f/8

FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionBoat motion adds blur — keep 1/1000 s minimum and use stabilisation.

DriveHigh-speed burst

Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 525 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance	⅓ of frame (FF)	½ of frame (FF)	⅓ of frame (APS-C)	⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)	11 mm	17 mm	8 mm	6 mm
10 m (33 ft)	23 mm	34 mm	15 mm	11 mm
15 m (49 ft)	34 mm	51 mm	23 mm	17 mm
20 m (66 ft)	45 mm	68 mm	30 mm	23 mm
30 m (98 ft)	68 mm	103 mm	45 mm	34 mm
50 m (164 ft)	113 mm	171 mm	75 mm	56 mm

When to find it#

Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: June, July and August.

About the Orca#

The largest living species of dolphin

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

Use 1/2000 s+ and shoot bursts as they surface.
Boat motion adds blur — keep 1/1000 s minimum and use stabilisation.
Sightings peak in June, July and August, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.