The protagonists of my videos: part two
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.
Bottlenose dolphin
The bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are encountered in small groups or alone, and they can show great curiosity towards divers. However, these encounters can be fleeting, which is why it’s important to always be ready with the GoPro. In these cases, avoid forcing interaction or trying to make physical contact. It’s helpful to minimize bubbles and let their curiosity guide the encounter; if they feel at ease, they often provide intense, close-up shots full of emotion. Filming dolphins with strong light near the surface often leads to overexposure; therefore, it’s advisable to protect the highlights by setting EV to -0.5. In these conditions, a reddish/magenta color cast may appear, which should be corrected in post-production.
Sha’ab Alì, Gulf of Suez, Egypt 2024, with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Hawksbill sea turtle
The Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is recognized by its characteristic pointed snout, similar to that of a hawk. It is usually seen searching for sponges, anemones, and other invertebrates among the corals and sea fans of the reef. Almost always focused on feeding, it allows for close approaches and truly remarkable filming. When it’s on the corals, it’s better to avoid filming it directly from above, because its colors, similar to those of the reef, would flatten the image and diminish the sense of depth, making it appear pressed into the background. Instead, it’s preferable to position yourself laterally or slightly from below, using the blue water as a background: the silhouette and colors will stand out more, creating a more readable and impactful image. Unlike the Green turtle, the Hawksbill interacts more with divers; it is often curious—sometimes perhaps attracted by the reflection on the lens—and can approach the GoPro too closely, inspecting it in detail!
Lux Beyru, South Ari, Maldives, 2019 with GoPro 7, 16:9, 2.7K, 120 fps
Anemone and Clownfish
Anemone and clownfish are very popular subjects; being relatively “static,” camera stability is crucial, as any unwanted movement will be clearly visible. In case of even slight currents, using high frame rates (60 or even 120 fps) can help in post-production by slowing down the clip, making the footage more stable and smooth.
Territorial, clownfish defend their anemone: they may sometimes “attack” the camera with harmless little bites, which can add a funny touch to the video. It’s also interesting to capture how they rub against the tentacles, hide, or peek out. Never touch or disturb the anemone or the fish: a patient and respectful approach allows you to capture the magic of this symbiosis.
Panorama Reef, Safaga, Egypt 2024, with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Spinner dolphin
The spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) are observed in large groups in the Maldivian channels, often at the end of a dive (so it’s advisable to have a good reserve of air). At Sataya Reef (Red Sea), snorkeling is done among large schools. For more interesting footage, it’s helpful to distance yourself from the crowd. Unfortunately, areas once exclusive to liveaboards are now often overcrowded with day tourists. Excess boats, noise, and human intrusion can stress the dolphins and disturb their natural behaviors, posing serious welfare issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose responsible operators and always act with maximum respect: avoid chasing, and keep appropriate distances to prevent contributing to their stress.
Sataya Reef, Fury Shoals, Egypt 2023 with GoPro11, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Green sea turtle
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), herbivore, is often seen grazing on plants on sandy bottoms, such as in Marsa Mubarak or Marsa Shouna in Egypt.
It should never be chased (as it gets stressed, and only filming from behind would be terrible), but instead you should approach it slowly and from the side. A great moment to film it is during its ascent to breathe; in this case, you need to anticipate its movement, studying the trajectory, and capture the moment — possibly with filtering sunlight — letting it surface naturally without ever blocking its path to the surface. Beware of shallow depths: reflections on the carapace can cause overexposure. It’s useful to position the GoPro carefully relative to the sun and use a preset suitable for “Shallow Water,” as explained on the setup page.
A respectful approach is ethically required and guarantees longer encounters, natural behaviors, and better footage!
Maameendhoo; Huvadhoo, Maldives 2025 with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Napoleon fish
The Napoleon fish (Cheilinus undulatus), icon of tropical reefs, is a fantastic subject to film due to its size, colors, and confident nature: it often approaches divers, seemingly to study them. In this case, respect is essential: it’s best to let the fish set the distance, avoiding sudden movements or touching it. Filming it while it searches for food (cracking coral for mollusks) is particularly interesting because its slow movements make it easy to capture stable, smooth shots.
Shark Reef, South Sinai, Egypt 2024, with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Moray
Predators primarily nocturnal, morays are almost always found within their burrows in the reef during the day. Often immobile with only their heads visible and colors that are not very striking, especially in shadow, they don’t offer many opportunities for good shots. However, if they do not feel threatened, they allow significant approach, making interesting close-ups of their heads possible. If lucky, you can film them outside their den, as they move sinuously among the corals or, more rarely, swimming freely in the water. Despite their non-aggressive nature, they can bite if threatened or provoked, especially if someone carelessly puts their hand into the burrow.
Beacon Rock, Sha’ab Mahmoud, Egypt 2024, with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Barracuda
The barracudas, pelagic predators, are excellent subjects for filming, whether alone or in characteristic swirling schools. Large solitary barracudas (Sphyraena barracuda) can approach out of curiosity, remaining nearly motionless mid-water to observe us, offering great opportunities for close-up shots. It’s important to be cautious near the surface, as their silvery body reflects a lot of light. Spectacular footage can be captured with large schools, usually of Chevron Barracuda (Sphyraena qenie), which form tight walls or synchronized vortices. It’s advisable to approach slowly from the edges, letting the school engulf us or pass by. Filming from within the vortex creates incredibly immersive images.
South Brother, Egypt 2024, with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps
Triggerfish
Triggerfish are an iconic and constant presence on tropical reefs. Most species are not aggressive and can be approached calmly.
They are often found foraging: some “blow” water onto the sand to uncover invertebrates, while others use their powerful teeth to break open sea urchins, corals, or shells. Capturing these feeding behaviors is interesting and makes for great footage.
The Titan Triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens), during its breeding season, can become territorial and aggressive while defending its nest (a depression in the sand), charging and biting anyone who comes too close. In such cases, it is essential to keep a safe distance and never swim directly above the nest.
Ras Ghozlani, Sout Sinai, Egypt 2024, with GoPro12, 8:7, 4K, 60fps