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shark tales Shark feed in South Africa Text and photos by Brandi Mueller On one of my recent dive trips, a post-diving dinner conversa- tion turned to capturing epic shark photographs. A magazine photo editor was in our group, and I wanted to know how pho- tographers got those perfectly lit, very close shots of sharks, which is typically an animal that is quite shy around divers. He told me shark feeds, or using bait to lure the sharks, is one of the only ways to get sharks close enough for those types of photos. There are limits of light in underwater photography and strobes and video lights only go so far, so getting them to come Shark Diving close is necessary. — Tips on Photographing Sharks There are few places in the world where one can see sharks quite close naturally then there is the super lucky dive where must sound like a freight train to sharks, dive guide, sometimes a bucket of bait is Before the dive (without divers changing the natural a curious shark comes close. But mostly, and they know we are there long before opened at the end of the dive, or some When you take part in a shark dive, environment with food) such as the sar- sharks do not like us. We are big and we ever see them, so we often do not are not fed at all with a container of bait chances are you are doing something dine run in South Africa where huge bait loud (all those noisy bubbles), and when see them. used only to keep curious sharks nearby. that has been done many other times balls attract sharks. Being in the right time they see or hear us, they swim away. Enter the shark dive, where bait is used For photographers and videographers, by lots of other people. Get as much and place for large migration events, like Sharks have a sensory organ called a lat- to lure sharks to a specific spot and divers these dives are amazing opportunities to information as possible about the dive the hammerheads that pass through the eral line system that allows them to sense can enjoy the spectacle.* Sometimes, get close to sharks, and here are some before you go. What depth is the dive Galapagos, is another opportunity, and movement and vibration in water. We the sharks are actually fed by a trained tips to get the best photos. at? How long is the dive? How are divers 63 X-RAY MAG : 73 : 2016 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Sometimes we are so focused on the action in front of us that we don’t realize we are also capturing distractions, such as the bubbles of a diver in front of you (left); Putting water in front of the sharks can shark tales give the viewer a sense of a shark in moving forward (below); Brandi Shark Dives Mueller in the great white shark cage, South Africa (center inset) the show. There may be a coral or rock amphitheater at your back, and divers line up so no one is in front of each other. Not swimming around the feeding area (unless permitted) keeps both the sharks from being scared away and other divers from getting in the way. Chum. Do not touch the chum. Your dive guide might be hand-feeding the sharks, and yes, they are probably get- ting closer to the sharks than you. But they have been trained to do this and have years and hundreds of dives prac- ticing this. Most dive guides for shark dives know individual sharks based on their looks and behaviors—they know arranged (is there a better spot for sharks safe. taking photos?) Consult with the dive The rules include where "divers operator, tell them what you hope should position themselves", which to capture on the dive (sometimes hopefully will keep other divers from they will place you in the best spot being directly in front of you so you for photos just by letting them know do not end up with mostly shots of that’s your interest.) other divers. Following the guidelines briefing was given that directed Usually, you will want to use the for that particular dive also leads to divers not to wear anything colorful widest angle lens you have, as the the sharks coming as close as pos- or shinny (no jewelry), "to wear black action usually takes place over a sible without being scared away. gloves," not to flail around and to large area. A quick Google search Sometimes all it takes is one diver have good buoyancy control. will usually bring up hundreds of who swims out into the middle of a Sharks are curious and colors, shiny images from popular shark dives, shark feed and all the sharks disap- objects, and looking like an injured if you want to see other photogra- pear. Don’t be that guy, or let your seal make them want to check you phers’ images. Powerful strobes are buddy be that guy. Finally, do not out. Ungloved hands that are flap- recommended—but be ready to turn be afraid to ask questions. The dive ping around can also appear like lit- them off if there is a lot of backscat- guides want to help you have the tle fish in distress, which are a favorite ter or the sharks are too far away for best shark dive they can give you so shark snack. them to be useful. Coming to the you can get the photographs you dive prepared is the first step. hope for. During the dive Once at the dive shop or dive Following the rules is also important Follow the above rules. (Trust me, site, listen to your dive guide (they for your own safety. Certain types of the dive guide wants you and eve- have done this before). Be sure to sharks exhibit different reactions to ryone else on the dive to get amaz- pay attention to the rules and follow divers. When I participated in diving ing photos and have a great dive.) them, as they are meant to keep you with tiger sharks (without a cage) in Often shark feeds are set up so that safe, and more importantly, keep the South Africa, an extensive pre-dive all divers will have a good view of Showing the shark and the bait can help a viewer understand what was happening during this experience. 64 X-RAY MAG : 73 : 2016 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO shark tales Shark Dives Shark feed, Roatan, Honduras (left); Cropping too tight on a shark at center of photo is not very interesting (above) bait bucket, or are going overhead, which can Cropping the same photo with more negative space in of the dive guide lead to dark shark shadows in front of the shark implies motion controlling the bait sunbursts if it is a sunny day. If and the opening of you are sitting at the edge of the group, problem on any dive, and strobe posi- the bucket. Usually, you might be able to get some single tions can be a key factor. Make sure the you can also get sharks to your side as well or sharks that strobes are as far away from the cam- some shots of indi- pass directly in front of you. era port as possible and angled to help vidual sharks. Look reduce backscatter. If the shark action up and see if any Backscatter. Backscatter can be a is taking place further than your strobe light will reach, the strobes are not adding any ben- efit other than cre- ating backscatter. which sharks they can get close to Test shots. Snap a few test shots and In this case, you and which ones not to. They also know look at your camera screen to make may want to turn behaviors to watch for (you don’t have sure you like what you are getting them off and take that experience). (I know, it’s hard to take your eyes some natural light off the action in front of you, but shots. Try some Scouting the scene. After the initial rush do try to check the screen during shots with them of, “Oh my goodness, there are sharks the dive). Also be aware that small on and some with everywhere!” —try to take in the whole bubbles on the lens of your camera them off. scene. Where are the other divers? need to be gently brushed away or Where are their bubbles? Hopefully, not they will appear as dots (similar to Negative space. right in front of you, getting in your pho- backscatter) in your photos. Don’t forget tos. In which areas are the sharks most about negative concentrated? Think about which of Angles. Try different angles—which space. Negative these things you want to portray in your sometimes can be hard because space can help photos. Most of the time, the shark action usually you are directed to stay in balance a photo, lasts the entire dive, so you have the time the same place, but you can move especially in the to plan and execute the shots you desire. your camera to shoot from differ- chaotic mess of ent angles. In some shots, you will sharks, divers and Distractions. Be on the lookout for dis- want divers with the sharks, in order fish that occur tractions. There is nothing worse than only to show perspective, such as how during shark dives.