The protagonists of my videos and how to film them: part one
Here I share the experience of thousands of dives in the Red Sea and Maldives: how I approach the most fascinating inhabitants and which filming techniques I consider most effective, all while always fully respecting them.
Whitetip reef shark
The common reef shark in the Red Sea and Maldives, the Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus), is often seen resting motionless on the sandy bottom. I advise against filming it in this situation: besides disturbing them, approaching too closely would cause it to flee, resulting in only insignificant footage of its tail. It’s better to film it while patrols the coral reef. In this case, I recommend avoiding a frontal approach; instead, intercept its trajectory diagonally and follow alongside, without disturbing it. You can also find smaller individuals hiding in caves or under coral tables. Here too, I suggest limiting yourself to observation: filming them in these conditions will almost always produce static, dark, and unsatisfying footage.
Rasdhoo Madivaru, Maldives 2019 with GoPro7, 16:9, 2.7K, 60 fps
Eagle ray
The eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) has traditionally been considered shy and difficult to approach. However, recent generations seem much less timid, perhaps now used to divers, allowing for much closer shots.
The best approach remains slow and lateral, never frontal; it involves anticipating their trajectory by moving parallel and maintaining a distance that doesn’t make them feel threatened.
Filming their silhouettes in formation, from bottom to top with the passing sun, creates striking images.
Conversely, filming from above in the deep blue often doesn’t do them justice, resulting in flat images that are almost always very noisy. However, on sandy seabeds, top-down shots can create a beautiful contrast, highlighting the dark figures against the light-colored sand.
Maarehaa Kandu, Huvadhoo, Maldives 2025 with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Ray
A wide variety of sting ray populate sandy bottoms and coral reefs. Usually benthic, they can always be approached calmly, moving slowly and close to the bottom. However, it is crucial not to underestimate their potential danger, as many species have venomous spines on the tail, used for defense. Unfortunately, these have caused incidents, some even fatal, to divers who tried to touch or disturb them. Never position yourself above them, block their escape route, or seek physical contact. The correct approach is to observe and film them from a respectful distance, preferably from the side, and, if possible, capture their elegant undulating swim.
Fish Thank, North Malè, Maldives 2019 with GoPro7, 16:9, 2.7K, 60 fps
Spinner shark
The Spinner Shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) is an agile and fast predator. It is very common at Kooddoo (Huvadhoo, Maldives), where many can be seen. Accustomed over time to feed on the scraps of local fishermen, who clean fish near the port entrance, they gather in dozens at the sound of boats, curiously surrounding the divers. For filming in these conditions, the ideal depth is around 10-15 meters, avoiding too much proximity to the surface because their bronze color can create reflections that are very difficult to correct, even in post-production. If they are close to the surface, then it is better to film them from below to highlight their slender silhouette.
Koddoo Jetty, Huvadhoo, Maldives 2025 with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Tiger shark
It’s very rare to have a random encounter with a Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) on a dive. However, should it happen, it’s crucial to hold your ground and maintain eye contact. Never turn your back or retreat, as this could trigger its predatory instinct.
And, even if the heart will be beating very fast, it is necessary not to forget to press the ‘Rec’ button and to be sure you have done it.
Sightings with the Tiger are only certain in shark feeding zones, such as the “Tiger Zoo” in Fuvahmulah (Maldives), where expert guides, after detailed briefings, organize very close encounters.
Also in this case, it is essential to keep the visual contact (without ever turning your back) and to move always slowly. It is important to keep a 360° attention, because they often approach from unexpected directions, and always follow the instructions of the briefing.
In these contexts, for a more authentic image, I prefer to film the majestic arrival of the Tiger from the blue, thus isolating the shark from the “artificial” feeding environment, rather than focusing on the frenzy around the bait.
Tiger Zoo, Fuvahmulah, Maldives 2025 with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Blacktip reef shark
The generally shy and fast-moving blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) are often encountered in shallow lagoons. They can also be seen in small groups of two or three, and are very difficult to film up close. By gradually moving away from the group and avoiding any kind of movement or noise, your chances of capturing a close pass increase significantly. Since they are almost always near the surface, to avoid reflections and overexposure, it’s recommended to set the GoPro with an appropriate preset, such as my “Shallow Water”, which can be seen in the GoPro UW Setting section.
Rasdhoo Madivaru, Maldives 2019 with GoPro7, 16:9, 2.7K, 60 fps
Grey reef shark
The “Gray” sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) are very common on Maldives coral reefs, where hundreds patrol the edge of the Kandu ridge.
By maintaining a calm attitude, good buoyancy, reducing bubbles, and avoiding sudden movements, you can significantly increase the chance of getting closer.
Larger adults tend to be more cautious, while younger ones can sometimes come within a few centimeters of the diver.
Despite their curiosity and number, Gray sharks are among the hardest to film because they are almost always found at depths (30 meters and beyond) not ideal for the GoPro.
Low light conditions, especially when far away, cause a loss of detail. In such cases, the best shot when possible is from bottom to top, using surface light to frame their silhouette.
Before filming sharks in the blue, it’s helpful to follow the instructions here to allow the GoPro sensor to adapt properly.
Vilingili Kandu, Huvadhoo, Maldives 2025 with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Nurse shark
The Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), during the day, usually rests hidden among coral crevices or small caves, making it almost impossible to get meaningful footage. In these conditions, you should never try to make it come out of its den; besides being a very unethical act, the Nurse Shark can also bite violently if disturbed or provoked. At night, however, it’s a completely different story: it becomes much more active as it hunts. Under the pier at Alimathà (Felidhoo), it gathers in dozens, in the company of triggerfish, jacks, and blacktip sharks. Filming them there is intense: they swim very close and without fear, almost rubbing against the divers. If you’re not using lights, it’s much better to enter the water at sunset, just before the twilight, rather than late at night. This allows you to get sharper footage with less digital noise, which would otherwise be very high in these conditions.
Alimathà Jetty, Felidhoo, Maldives 2023 with GoPro11, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Manta Ray
It’s easy to encounter and film the mantas (Oceanic Manta birostris and Reef Manta alfredi) at Maldivian cleaning stations, where they gather to be cleaned by labrids.
The best approach is to position yourself calmly near the station, gently resting on the bottom and avoiding creating suspension. Then wait: they will pass, as long as you never block their path. Special attention should be paid to the bubbles, which can ruin many shots; it’s wise to keep an eye on the manta and the other divers.
The high concentration of plankton attracting them, unfortunately, often makes the water look greenish, which will be difficult to correct in post-production. In low visibility, it’s possible to film the silhouette in backlight, but avoid getting too close to prevent clips of only dark, featureless shapes.
Maa Kandu, Addu, Maldives 2019 with GoPro7, 16:9, 2.7K, 60 fps