Yes, this is a 100% totally real dolphin in this action-packed photo. Get the full story behind this perfectly-timed shot from the photographer Matt Hutton himself.
Scroll down for our exclusive Q&A with the guy who was at the right place, right time!
The location: Kalbarri, a small town in Western Australia.
The time of day: 5:09 p.m.
Gear: Canon 5D MKIII, 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM II lens with a x2 II extender, giving a focal length of 140-400mm.
EXIF settings: f/5.6, 1/4000th sec, ISO 800, 400mm
Hi Matt! Can you reveal the story behind this insane shot?
MATT HUTTON: There wasn’t much planning put into this shot. I chose a subject, and focused on him and kept shooting until we were both very surprised by a photobombing dolphin. A mate of mine was in Perth, Western Australia, and was traveling back up to where I live in Wickham, Western Australia. He asked if I would like to fly to Perth, and travel back to Wickham with him for a photography road trip. We did that over the course of three to four days, stopping by different spots to take various photos. We stopped at Kalbarri for a night. That afternoon, we went for a drive to find a nice location to try out a new lens that I had just recently bought. We found a popular surfing spot known as Jacques Point. We decided to hang around for a while, and take some photos. As the title of the photo says, we just happened to be at the right place and right time.
How did you get the shot?
This shot was taken hand-held, about 100-200 meters off the beach. I walked out on a spot that overlooks the surfers that catch the waves, and followed the waves back into the beach. That’s why it looks like the photo was taken on a boat—which every one thinks it was—but I was actually standing on some rocks.
So who is the surfer in this photo?
The guy in the photo was a stranger at the time. But now I know that his name is Trent Sherborne, a school teacher in Kalbarri. I contacted him by phone, and sent him a free large print of his semi-famous shot! Trent explained to me that he has never experienced anything quite like this while surfing. His exact words were, “It’s not everyday you get to eyeball a dolphin while surfing.
We agree, and we’re jealous! Now the question some people have been asking—Did you do any post-processing with this photo?
The dolphin is real, and I only did very little post-processing. I simply adjusted contrast, as I was using such a long focal length. I added a bit of sharpness, and brought back a little detail in the dolphin by reducing some of the shadows. I’ve had people contact me, saying how I could pass this off as real, and that it’s obviously Photoshopped. I think the guy in the photo, Trent Sherborne, will disagree. At the end of the day, this photo hangs proudly in my home, and that is all that matters to me!
Now let’s talk about yourself. Tell us more about where you live and what you do.
I live in Wickham, Western Australia, and I work for Rio Tinto Iron Ore. I work in Rail as a train driver. I work four days on, then I get four days off, so I get plenty of spare time to focus on photography. I am 32 years old. I have a fiancé, two children, and I enjoy relaxing at home with my family. My hobby is obviously photography—I love editing and post-processing.
How did you get started with photography?
I went on a family trip to Thailand in 2006, and had bought my first DSLR camera. Back then, it was only a Canon 350D—I started playing around with photography on and off for the next few years. It wasn’t until I moved to the Pilbara, and fell in love with the sunsets, national parks, beaches, and some of the most fantastic landscapes Australia has to offer. I fell in love with landscape photography. From there, I have purchased five cameras, and started a collection of lenses. I am self-taught and I’ve learned from Google, YouTube, books, and followed various pages on Facebook. I have some friends who are into photography, so we all learn from each other. I attended a professional photography workshop last month, and from there, I learned and felt that I need to take my photography to the next level. I received my professional accreditation through the Australian Institute of Professional Photography in March 2014. It made me very proud to accomplish being a professional photographer without any official training or schooling.
How would you describe your photography style?
I often ask myself this, and I honestly don’t know if I have found any one style yet. I create colorful, vibrant images, but I can also do dark, moody images. If it looks good, I will shoot it. My passion is in landscapes, and I do enjoy the post-processing side of photography, as much as taking the photos. It’s kind of like an art when you learn all the techniques of post-processing. When used correctly, post-processing can completely turn an amazing image into an award-winning masterpiece. Ask me this question again in a few years—hopefully, I can give you an answer but for now, I’m enjoying exploring all styles. Hopefully, I can combine what I learn into my own unique style.
What are your favorite subjects to shoot?
Landscapes, sunsets, clouds—and I’m hoping to get into night photography a bit more. I am doing some aerial photography next week, so I’m pretty excited about that! I’m not really into portraits or wedding photography. I’m a photographer who just enjoys being by myself. It’s very peaceful and relaxing. I don’t enjoy the rushing or the stress of portrait and weddings shoots.
What inspires you to go out and do what you do?
I have a Facebook page, which I enjoy posting on. It’s really rewarding, getting feedback from the people who follow my page. I guess we all enjoy the recognition of our work, and it encourages me to get out there and try to capture something new and amazing. Lately, I have met some fantastic photographers, and I am now looking at state-wide and Australian-wide professional photography competitions that may change my career in a heartbeat. I want to one day become a name that all photographers know! Well, my fingers are crossed anyway! Apart from that, my inspiration comes from finding something that I’m good at and enjoy. I want to push myself and see how far I can take this talent of mine, if the world is happy to see it as a talent. I have been a member of 500px for a while now, but have only posted my first image this week. It’s been very awesome receiving so much feedback. That alone is the inspiration I need!
Do you have any favorite photographers that have influence your work?
MATT: My number one favorite photographer would be Christian Fletcher, an Australian landscape photographer. I love the work of Peter Eastway, an Australian and international-renowned professional, and Tony Hewitt whose aerial shots are what inspired me to give it a go. I also follow Timothy Poulton, an absolutely fantastic panorama photographer, who inspired me to invest in some panorama gear to capture scenes that can’t be done in a single shot. I also have a mate Sheldon Pettit, whom I get a lot of inspiration from.
Thanks for your time, Matt! Good luck with your career, and we hope to see more great stuff from you in the future.
Follow Matt on 500px to see more of his images. You can also visit his Facebook Page.
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