04
BEHIND THE SCENES
With any expeditions to remote places, local knowledge and support is vital. We are often working under tight time pressures which doesn’t give you the flexibility to chew up days working it out on the ground – you have to hit the ground running. Before any trip even begins we start by researching the best operators in a given area. Our first questions relate to timing. What is the best season for weather conditions and chances of encountering our given subject? Picking the right season is crucial for many migratory species of animals. Weather also plays a part. The oceans, the currents, water visibility, precipitation and wind are all elements that will either impede or aid your hunt for sightings. For the more accessible places, avoiding peak tourist volumes when possible will also help. Everyone’s dream scenario is great wildlife encounters without others. Shawn’s contacts in Raja Ampat are invaluable. He has spent over a decade working this area and brought every resource available to help make our shoot a success.
The first step in producing good underwater images is, firstly, become a good diver. The diving should be a natural state of being for you, allowing you to concentrate on the shooting. Diving has many challenges. Before even entering the water, having a pre-dive checklist of your camera and housing is recommended. Unlike shooting on the surface, where you can easily replace a dead battery, clean a spot off your lens or sensor, or switch your lens from Auto to manual focus, underwater all these practises become impossible. Having a rigorous checking procedure will ensure your dives are not cut short, or worse destroyed, by sensor dirt or a flooded housing.