BG WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2001
WINNING PHOTOGRAPH
Nikon F90X with 18mm lens; 1/15 sec at f16; Fujichrome Velvia; two strobes.
We found grey reef sharks in this lagoon on the Beveridge Reef in the South Pacific and used bait to habituate them to meeting us at a particular coral head. Over the next fortnight, they ventured closer each day, in groups of up to eight. Most were adult females, with a distinct 'pecking order'. Though these sharks can be dangerous, we never once felt threatened. This dominant female was the biggest (about two metres long), and sometimes, out of apparent curiosity, she would swim straight towards us, then, at the last moment, gybe sharply to change direction. Once I was familiar with this habit, I could preset focus, exposure and flash and concentrate on panning the shark as she cruised in. On this occasion, she was barely 30cm from me.
"This picture is loaded with tension - tension between the warm and cool tones and between the viewer and subject. The line of the fish is dynamic and the sense of motion adds to the power of the image."
Naill Benvie - Wildlife Photographer and Competition Judge
"It's very simple except it has the essence of shark about it and what makes it is that incredible movement as the shark's turning in front of his camera, and it's actually looking at you. I love it because of the silvery sheen on that shark and the grace of it and I think it's the most wonderful PR statement for sharks ever."
Rosamund Kidman Cox - Editor BBC Wildlife Magazine and Competition Judge
BG WILDLIFE EXHIBITION ON TOUR
