News
Scubaverse Underwater Photographer Interview: Zac Macaulay
In an ongoing series, Scubaverse’s Underwater Photography Editor Nick Robertson-Brown talks to underwater photographers from around the world that he admires. In this blog: Zac Macaulay
ZM: I am a lighting underwater cameraman and photographer shooting film sequences for dramas, feature films, music videos, TV and commercials for advertising agencies and the movie industry. My inspiration is great imagery which is truly been thought about and crafted.
I live in Brighton with my wife and three kids (now teenagers) but was originally from Richmond in Surrey. When I was small my father and I (who lived in Swanage in Dorset) used to stare at the big burly divers venturing into the water and I knew somehow I wanted a part of that.
I started in photography specialising in underwater work from 16 years old signing up to several Martin Edge photography courses and getting my first major professional break in 1997 when Diesel Jeans asked me to shoot a worldwide campaign for them.
On top of that Steve Weinman and Diver Magazine have been extremely kind, sending me all over the world shooting wildlife and allowing me to hone my eye over the years practicing my craft as well as lounging about on some really fabulous beaches.
Since then I have shot loads of campaigns all over the world for clients as diverse as Guinness, The Royal Ballet, Take That, Myleene Klass for Littlewoods, The Disney Channel, Pantene Pro V, Fit Bit, The British Army, The BBC and The National Lottery amongst others.
- My website is – www.zacmacaulay.com and I run regular Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts.
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/zacmacaulayphotographyandfilm
- Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/zacmacaulay/
- Twitter – https://twitter.com/ZacMacaulay
Artist Statement
I consider myself a team player and like to use a strong graphic element in my photographic and film style, using colour and composition as a thread that runs through my work.
As a lighting underwater cameraman and photographer I enjoy the craft of shooting and lighting underwater and the extra dimension the medium gives you. Whether it be in the open sea, an underwater studio or pool for ultimate control, all present different and interesting challenges, but always enjoyable.
There is no secret to success in anything done well. Its just hard work, focus and a gene or two from your grandparents.
Water allows me to have space to shoot creatively and in three dimensions like no other medium.
Finally my aim is to make it much more interesting…
Awards
I have won three international awards for my work including the prestigious Winner, Palme d’Or, Advertising category for best stills image, Antibes Underwater Film and Photography festival.
NRB: How did your underwater photography start?
ZM: I started when I was 16 learning to dive and running my interest in photography alongside. I soon found a job in a London advertising studio making the tea and asked who was the best underwater photographer at the time. Mike Portelly came back the answer, so I called him 100 times till he gave me a job.
NRB: What is your favourite u/w camera equipment (past & present) & why?
ZM: Today I own and shoot with a Nikon D800 and Seacam housing for stills, and a Seacam / Panasonic GH5 and Red Epic Dragon / Gates Deep Weapon housing for film.
My oldest and proudest working system is one of 10 Peter Scoones built housings for a Mamiya RB 67 roll film camera. On 220 film you can have as many as 20 exposures up your sleeve!
NRB: What would be your advice to anyone new to underwater photography?
ZM: Enter it as an exciting hobby that will take you all over the world. Professionally underwater photography today is very challenging and extremely difficult to make a living from if you have a mortgage and family.
NRB: What, or who, has been your single biggest inspiration for your underwater photography?
ZM: Mike Portelly
NRB: What image are you most proud of and why?
ZM: My ad for Diesel because it launched my career.
NRB: Where is your favourite dive location, and is it for the photography?
ZM: Cuba, well yes and no, great Rum and a travellers destination.
NRB: What are you views on marine life manipulation, moving subjects?
ZM: Personally I haven’t done it.
NRB: What do you look for when you are making your images?
ZM: Learn to see and not just to look.
NRB: What motivates you to take u/w photos?
ZM: It’s in the blood, the 3 dimensional movement the calmness and the creative buzz from doing something difficult.
NRB: If you could photograph any one thing/place what or where would that be?
I would go back to Sipadan in Malaysia.
To see more of Zac’s work click here.
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
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Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
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MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
Blogs
Northern Red Sea Reefs and Wrecks Trip Report, Part 3: The Mighty Thistlegorm
Jake Davies boards Ghazala Explorer for an unforgettable Red Sea diving experience…
Overnight, the wind picked up, making the planned morning dive a bit bumpy on the Zodiacs to the drop point on Thomas Reef. There, we would dive along the reef before descending through the canyon and then passing under the arch before ascending the wall with a gentle drift. The site provided great encounters with more pelagic species, including shoals of large barracuda, tuna, and bigeye trevally.
Once back on the boat, it was time to get everything tied down again as we would head back south. This time, with the wind behind us, heading to Ras Mohammed to dive Jackfish Alley for another great gentle drift wall dive before then heading up the coast towards the Gulf of Suez to moor up at the wreck of the Thistlegorm. This being the highlight wreck dive of the trip and for many onboard, including myself, it was the first time diving this iconic wreck. I had heard so much about the wreck from friends, and globally, this is a must on any diver’s list. Fortunately for us, there was only one other boat at the site, which was a rarity. A great briefing was delivered by Ahmed, who provided a detailed background about the wreck’s history along with all the required safety information as the currents and visibility at the site can be variable.
Kitting up, there was a lot of excitement on deck before entering the water and heading down the shoreline. Descending to the wreck, there was a light northerly current which reduced the visibility, making it feel more like the conditions that can be found off the Welsh coast. At 10m from the bottom, the outline of the wreck appeared as we reached the area of the wreck which had been bombed, as our mooring line was attached to part of the propeller shaft. Arriving on deck, instantly everywhere you looked there were many of the supplies which the ship was carrying, including Bren Carrier tanks and projectiles that instantly stood out.
We headed around the exterior, taking a look at the large propeller and guns mounted on deck before entering the wreck on the port side to take a look in the holds. It was incredible to see all the trucks, Norton 16H, and BSA motorcycles still perfectly stacked within, providing a real snapshot in time.
Overall, we had four dives on the Thistlegorm, where for all of the dives we were the only group in the water, and at times, there were just three of us on the whole wreck, which made it even more special, especially knowing that most days the wreck has hundreds of divers. Along with the history of the wreck, there was plenty of marine life on the wreck and around, from big green turtles to batfish, along with shoals of mackerel being hunted by trevally. Some unforgettable dives.
The final leg of the trip saw us cross back over the Suez Canal to the Gobal Islands where we planned to stay the night and do three dives at the Dolphin House for the potential of sharing the dive with dolphins. The site, which included a channel that was teeming with reef fish, especially large numbers of goatfish that swam in large shoals along the edge of the reef. These were nice relaxing dives to end the week. Unfortunately, the dolphins didn’t show up, which was okay as like all marine life they are difficult to predict and you can’t guarantee what’s going to be seen. With the last dive complete, we headed back to port for the final night where it was time to clean all the kit and pack before the departure flight the next day.
The whole week from start to finish on Ghazala Explorer was amazing; the boat had all the facilities you need for a comfortable week aboard. The crew were always there to help throughout the day and the chefs providing top quality food which was required after every dive. The itinerary providing some of the best diving with a nice mixture of wreck and reef dives. I would recommend the trip to anyone, whether it’s your first Red Sea liveaboard in the Red Sea or you’re revisiting. Hopefully, it’s not too long before I head back to explore more of the Red Sea onboard Ghazala Explorer.
To find out more about the Northern Red Sea reef and wrecks itineraries aboard Ghazala Explorer, or to book, contact Scuba Travel now:
Email: dive@scubatravel.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 411590
Photos: Jake Davies / Avalon.Red
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