Eye of the Giant by Karim Iliya

This image was taken in Tonga, 2018. 

A personal note from the photographer: Eye contact with a humpback whale is a powerful experience. They are intelligent, curious, social animals with unique personalities and moods. They gather across the world for a few months to socialize, breed, and raise their newborn calves. This is the eye of a humpback whale calf that came over to me while I was freediving. I have seen grown women and men brought to tears after coming face to face with whales. In moments like this, I cannot bring myself to put my camera in front of my face and look through the viewfinder. Instead, I rely on my instinct and my hands to compose and shoot the photos without looking so that I can use my eyes to experience these brief moments.

Follow Karim Iliya on Instagram: @karimiliya