The Discovery Channel's SHARK WEEK promotion regularly provides chills and thrills for an international television audience. Noted underwater and nature photographer Amos Nachoum has found that great white sharks provide some of the best subjects for adrenaline-seeking adventurers.
Nachoum, who conducts special Great White Shark Expeditions WITHOUT A CAGE, has gathered some of his favorite images in honor of Shark Week (see slideshow below). The award-winning photographer has seen just about everything underwater. One of his shark images received an international award and shows the power and grace of the great white shark.
"They are the most beautiful creatures in the ocean," Nachoum says. "But they are also the most misunderstood. When you are in the water with a great white shark, it's an experience you won't forget. The pictures only tell part of the story."
We talked to Nachoum during a break from one of his expeditions about taking pictures of Great White Sharks and the challenges that come with it. "You never know when they are going to appear," he says. "and when you expect them to come from one direction, they come from the other. Great Whites are actually friendly, curious creatures. The challenge for us as photographers is how close we let them come."
Perhaps it's a good thing that Nachoum and other shark photographers carry large, oversized cameras and housings, which serve as protection. "I don't know of a shooter who doesn't think of his camera set-up as a last line of defense in case a shark does decide to attack. But in all the years I've been out there, we've never had a diver bitten or any other type of incident with a shark."
Nachoum admits the camera does pose some issues. "We're usually shooting with large, wide-angle lenses which actually make the sharks appear to be smaller and further away. But that's how we get some of those dramatic images where the sharks look like they are grinning at us. Maybe they know something that we don't."
Nachoum has offered some advice for divers who might encounter a Great White Shark:
Tips if you encounter a Great White Shark
MORE Tips if you encounter a Great White Shark
For more details about his expeditions visit www.BigAnimals.com
Comments
Thank you Scott Jones for sharing this wonderful information. It is absolutely fascinating and the images are beautiful! Thanks to people like Amos Nachoum, and many other fellow researchers and photographers, society can become better informed of the true nature of sharks and less fixated on the unfortunate stereotypes. As all of God's creatures in the world, sharks are vital to our eco-system. By spreading awareness and providing expert in depth knowledge of misunderstood creatures of Mother Nature, we can sustain our priceless resources. May we all continue on our plight to co-exist in peace on planet Earth for every creature including ourselves serves an exquisite and divine purpose.
Nachoum helps to dispel the hysteria and misconceptions created around sharks by thoughtfully and respectfully introducing divers to these majestic creatures. No baiting, no wreaking havoc with the sharks in order to create a hollywood gore fest purely for the sake of sensationalism.These latter events which are so typically pursued by TV and other shark dive "professionals" only contribute to our ignorance and fear which exists for so many creatures who try to co exist with us on this planet. Hopefully Nachoum's unique approach and passion for understanding and preserving our wildlife heritage will ultimately translate to meaningful strategies in conservation and reverse the threat to these and other amazing creatures before it is too late.
Thank you for providing insight into a committed conservationist and his ongoing adventures.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!