Big Animal Photography: A Guide to Capturing Ocean Giants
By Josh Blank
Few images elicit the same degree of shock and awe as those depicting the ocean’s giants when it comes to underwater photography. But, of course, you know the ones I’m talking about.
These are the kind of images that lead non-diving folk to ask questions like, “Weren't you afraid it would eat you?" or "How on earth did you get so close to that?!" As photographers, comments like these are among the highest forms of praise, not just because it makes you feel like Jacques Cousteau.
It's rewarding to watch someone go from a state of shock and amazement to a place of curiosity. Whereby they may even become willing to reconsider everything they thought they knew about a particular "dangerous" animal.
As exciting as capturing the oceans megafauna can be, there's a catch… It's not exactly easy. It often requires a significant degree of preparation, patience, physical effort, a good understanding of your equipment, and, you guessed it, more patience.
So if, like me, you're all about photographing the big stuff, keep on reading for my guide to shooting the ocean's giants!
A Guide for the Big Stuff!
Over the past seven years, my photography has focussed on capturing sharks, rays, and my all-time favourite - marine mammals. But, if there's one thing I've learnt, it's that there is no secret formula to ensure that dreamy capture.
For the most part, photographing these types of animals is all about stacking the odds in your favour. However, there are four critical steps to capturing awe-inspiring images of large marine creatures.
Research
Preparation
Know your settings
Have a plan
Research
Larger marine species are often pelagic in nature. This means they cover vast distances and can't always be reliably seen on a specific reef or dive site.
This is where research comes into play. First, you will want to learn everything there is to know about the migratory routes and possible aggregation sites of your target species. Once you have an idea regarding the when and where the next step is finding a who. Who will take you out and be willing to let you enter the water?
Try a quick google search combining this newly learnt information with the word diving. For example, you may search "blue sharks, Mexico, diving." Through your search, you're likely to find at least a couple of local companies willing to help you out.
The next step, learn absolutely everything else you can about the destination and the species you're hoping to photograph. Ultimately, you're searching for information that will help determine what equipment will produce the best possible results.
Is the target species shy or curious? How long will you likely have with the animal? What kind of visibility and water temperature can you expect?
The answer to these questions will help you decide the most appropriate lens, whether you should use strobes or natural light, and your expected camera settings. Also important is what thickness wetsuit is most appropriate. The last thing you want is to spend hours shivering while you wait for the action.
Youtube, blog posts, and social media are excellent resources, so get reading.
Preparation
Preparation is crucial when it comes to capturing something special. Being prepared includes being both physically and mentally ready for the encounter.
Almost all of my big animal moments have been exhausting, to say the least. Being required to swim long distances through rough, open water and strong currents can be the norm. So staying fit and limber goes a long way to keeping you in the water for longer.
Mentally preparing yourself is equally as necessary before jumping into the water. My first time diving with tiger sharks, I was so excited at what I was seeing that my photography suffered. The images I captured weren't exactly of high quality, with many out-of-focus shots and lots of backscatter.
Take a few deep breaths right before entering the water. Then, do your best to calm your energy so that you can focus on what you're doing when the time comes.
Lastly, remember that these encounters are often fleeting. So always make sure you're ready and the first one in the water when the skipper gives the call.
Know your Settings
There are no two ways about it. If you're after that jaw-dropping image, you will want to become intimately familiar with your equipment and be able to adjust settings within a moment's notice quickly.
These settings will vary a lot between photographers. However, a few fundamentals serve as a good starting point.
Camera settings
Without strobes
Shooting with natural light is often preferred for many big animal encounters. It allows you to be significantly quicker in the water while also making it easier to get on and off the boat.
You will want to prioritise shutter speed, aiming to keep to 1/500 or faster. Open the aperture up nice and large (low F stop) to help balance exposure. And adjust ISO as required while keeping it within the constraints of your camera (below ISO1000 is a good rule of thumb).
Setting your camera to continuous shooting mode is a great way to increase the chance of getting the shot. However, stay deliberate in your composition as much as possible. The old "spray and pray" technique is at times tempting but, in my experience, never pays off.
Take your time, keep an eye on the viewfinder, lock focus, and fire away.
With strobes
Strobes open up a whole range of possible compositions while also allowing you to capture much greater details and colour. However, they are large and heavy and often slow you down.
When it comes to big animals, they are well suited for subjects that exhibit a high degree of curiosity, such as some species of sharks and sea lions. Still, they are often best left behind for the more in-and-out type of action with whales and dolphins.
A shutter speed of 1/200 coupled with an aperture of F8 is an excellent place to start to ensure adequate sharpness and focus. You can adjust ISO slightly to compensate for exposure.
Keep strobe power low to moderate. A quick recycle time is paramount, and besides, a small burst of light from a close distance is often all that's required.
Set your camera to single-shot mode. Now with more variables to control, you will want to be much more deliberate in your compositions. Make a habit of reviewing each image to ensure a nice exposure, tack-sharp focus, and minimal backscatter.
Have a Plan
Last but not least, have a plan!
Before entering the water, you should have a clear idea of precisely what kind of images you're trying to shoot.
From what angles will you be trying to approach the animal? Are you aiming to emphasise details and textures or looking to capture a more dramatic scene using empty space?
Having a plan of attack can make or break the success of your final images.
Time to get shootin’!
There it is, my guide for capturing some of the ocean's giants. If you would like to see more of my big animal photography or ask any questions, please drop me a message at @joshblankphotography.
About the Author
Josh Blank is an underwater photographer and blogger based on Australia’s Gold Coast. Not only does he capture incredible big marine-life shots globally, but he also enjoys the aquatic treasures in his backyard.
In this Ocean Pulse article from January 2022, he shares the secrets of Julian Rocks, the best dive site in the world to see leopard sharks.
Great article!!