sharks

JAWS Up Close

The cold water seeps in and chills my core as we are lowered into the deep. Small mackerel scurry by as we quietly scan the murky water, looking for a shadow. And then, like a phantom through a curtain, the giant appears…

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be in the water with a legend, you’ll enjoy my latest video: Photographing the Great White Shark

Drawing on my experiences on three continents, we’ll enter the domain of the most infamous and awe-inspiring predator on the planet. On one of these trips I was able to capture this photo, which was featured in several forums by National Geographic:

I’ll also share my favorite portraits, action shots, and topside images — including close-ups of those famous teeth and iconic fins. Speaking of, one of my favorite images from these encounters is a topside shot of the dorsal fin pierced with the rusting bolts of an old satellite tag. 

Slicing through the surface and leaving a wake

The video is only 8 minutes long, but is a truly immersive experience, taking you into the clanking metal of an aluminum shark cage. You’ll practically smell the oily chum that brings in the feisty males and confident females. We’ll also look at some practical tips if you decide to go on one of these adventures (e.g. pour hot water into your wetsuit to warm up prior to entering the cage). Hope you enjoy this one!

Back In The Water ...

It’s been a year since I launched the BDPHOTOGRAPHS YouTube channel, with the goal of sharing the experience of photography, providing photo tips, and including filmmaking in my book of work. A year ago we kicked off with an adrenaline-packed shark photography adventure, and in this episode we return to the water to look at the fundamentals of underwater photography. We’ll meet giant mantas, big sharks, friendly turtles, and a variety of photogenic sea life. We’ll check out shallow sandbars, deep shipwrecks, and learn about the different gear needed to make it all happen — see below for some recommended items. Almost all of the footage is original and behind the scenes of real dive trips I have taken so I hope you’ll enjoy spending some time in the water with me. Once again, thanks for watching, and please subscribe! 

We go back into the water to photograph giant mantas, big sharks, friendly turtles, and haunting shipwrecks. In this video we'll learn the basics of underwat...


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Some links to underwater photo gear are below. It’s best to talk to a professional who has experience in the water with camera gear, not just a sales rep who knows the equipment.

Waterproof case for iPhone

ProShot Case for iPhone XR & iPhone 11 https://amzn.to/2KqEulz

ProShot Case for iPhone X & XS https://amzn.to/2VqRr57

ProShot Case for iPhone 8 Plus, 7 Plus, and 6 Plus https://amzn.to/2RWFLVM

Action Camera

Paralenz https://adorama.rfvk.net/odWjO

GoPro Hero 8 Black Edition https://adorama.rfvk.net/xdPA1

Compact Consumer Camera

SeaLife https://adorama.rfvk.net/OAJ6W

Pro Gear

Professional level gear is almost exclusively camera specific — housings are designed with controls aligned to the buttons and switches of individual camera models. Nauticam, Aquatica, Ikelite, and SeaCam are well-known manufacturers that offer custom underwater housings for popular DSLR and mirrorless cameras. They also offer strobes and related accessories. Once you invest in pro quality camera gear, I highly recommend insuring your gear — and make sure your policy includes an underwater rider; standard policies usually don’t cover taking your camera into the ocean!


If you’re interested in photography and supporting small business, check out Adorama