Marine Life & Conservation
Diver with whale shark – Behind the Shot
Great moments happen in an instant and you have to be ready for them! Working with underwater models can be challenging, but then add marine life into the mix and you have to be ready. Sometimes you’re dealing with limited visibility, currents, changes in light, shy or uncooperative marine life and camera gear. I love to have a shot in my head before I splash; sometimes I have a whole wish list, but that doesn’t always come true. I guess that’s why it’s called a wish list.
In July 2012 I got on a plane to Mexico to film whale sharks, the biggest fish on the planet! I can’t tell you how excited I was to finally get there and begin shooting. Our boat left at 6am which is way earlier than I like to get up! It’s a long ride and the sharks don’t’ stay in one location. The captains from Solo Buceo were fantastic and know where to find them. When we arrived I looked out into the water it looked like whale shark soup. There were a few hundred whale sharks swimming around on the surface feeding in the warm morning light! It’s an incredible site to see 20-40ft sharks swimming just below the surface all around you! I could hardly contain my excitement, geared up and slipped into the water.
Instantly I came face to face with a large whale shark. For hours I happily snapped away, learning the whale sharks movements and personalities while getting some natural shots. The image I really wanted was of a person swimming next to a whale shark to show the size of the animal. This can be difficult – getting the sun in the right position, a nice angle on the whale shark and of course a model that is willing and understands what to do to and how to pose. Then you just need all of these things to come together. Additionally we aren’t scuba diving, it’s not allowed here so we could only freedive.
I had several friends on the boat that day willing to model and pose for shots and I explained what I was looking for. We were in the water for a few hours before I took this shot. The model and I saw the whale shark coming in the distance and signaled to each other to dive down. Just then the large shark came right into my frame, I saw the model and click..click…click… cick the fourth shot is the one! I knew I got it! I also had a small Gopro on top of my housing that captured video of the moment I got the shot. It’s easy to see how fast everything comes together and how the shot happened. Time in the water is everything and being patient and knowing what you want. This is the perfect place to play, practice and come home with a photo you can check off the wish list. Then again, I really want to go back because now I have a whole new whale shark wish list!
Images were captured using a Nikon D700 with 15mm fisheye lens in an Aquatica Underwater Housing. Natural light F8 1/200 ISO 400
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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