SHOOTING SHARKS

Powerful images can advocate on behalf of these endangered beauties

- ALEX MUSTARD

I shot this oceanic whitetip unbaited, holding my camera above my head and aiming at the pectoral fin.

Fascinating, inspiring, threatened—sharks are the ocean’s A- list celebrities and are guaranteed to get the heart pounding and the shutter-finger pumping. But they’re not always the easiest subject to approach and shoot.

Snapping sharks often involves periods of waiting, injected with moments of high-octane photography. The challenge is to keep a cool head when the fleeting opportunity presents itself and adrenaline is flowing. Experienced shooters know the key to success is preparation. A successful shark photographer studies species and location, plans for likely shots, and rehearses and optimizes settings so they don’t need to figure things out in the heat of the moment.

Sharks have dominated the oceans since before the time of the dinosaurs. During our lifetime, their world has changed beyond recognition, as their numbers have been decimated by fishing. What can we do? Support shark and ecotourism projects that actively protect populations by choosing to dive in countries and locations that declare their waters shark sanctuaries. As photographers, we should strive for standout shark images that make our audience stop and look, and win sharks the friends they desperately need.

TIP 1 - GOING NATURAL