The protagonists of my videos: 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
Hammer head
Encountering Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna lewini or Sphyrna Mokarran in the case of the Great Hammerhead) is not always easy, unless diving in specific locations. Destinations like Daedalus Reef in Egypt are renowned for their presence, as are more remote sites such as the Bahamas, Galapagos, or Japan.
Their natural shyness makes them elusive; therefore, it is fundamental to adopt a technical and well-prepared approach. Maintaining a stable position and slow movements is vital, avoiding any action that might startle them. Hammerheads can emerge from the blue unexpectedly, requiring constant attention. As soon as a silhouette is spotted on the horizon, the priority is to immediately start recording and ensure the GoPro is actually filming. When they are relatively close, it’s important to hold your breath or emit only small amounts of bubbles.
One should absolutely not try to chase the sharks; it is preferable to let them pass, focusing on a stable and fluid shot. They usually tend to approach only if one demonstrates good buoyancy and good breath control. It is interesting to note how some weak, repetitive sounds can pique their curiosity, such as gently tapping a carabiner on the handle base, as can be observed in the video.
Daedalus Reef, Egypt 2025 with GoPro13, 16:9, 5.3K, 60 fps
Oceanic whitetip shark
The oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus), also known as the longimanus shark, is a pelagic species primarily observed in areas where the coral reef drops sharply into great depths.
Diving on liveaboards in the most renowned sites of the Red Sea makes filming the oceanic whitetip relatively straightforward. The real challenge, however, lies in doing so without capturing thousands of bubbles or enthusiastic divers trying to chase it.
When I dive with the intention of filming these sharks, I always strive to maintain a sufficient air supply for the final phase of the dive. I wouldn’t want to be forced to ascend prematurely, right at the most interesting moment of the action, simply because I’m on reserve. I also avoid descending too deeply, preferring to stay at depths that would allow, in case of a sighting, a rapid ascent to the surface.
A crucial element is weighting: as these are often “end-of-dive” shots and with aluminum tanks, it’s important to wear adequate weight to be able to hold your breath for several seconds, while maintaining good buoyancy, even at shallow depths.
The dive buddy must possess the same skills and experience, as synergy is essential for this type of filming. Indeed, when the shark is spotted (and usually pursued) by the group, it will be necessary to discreetly peel away with calm fin kicks, to position oneself along what is predicted to be its trajectory. Attempts to follow it with the rest of the group are to be avoided, as they would only yield distant shots of its tail and many bubbles.
Subsequently, it’s appropriate to simply wait, maintaining harmonious buoyancy and measured breathing, in order to produce as few bubbles as possible. If one manages to be “clean” – that is, not to disturb the animal – its healthy curiosity can be aroused. This will first encourage the shark to position itself at our same depth, then make a frontal approach, and finally a lateral pass, almost in slow motion: the ideal moment for filming.
Disturbing and provoking the shark, causing aggressive behaviors such as nose bumps, spasmodic circling around the diver, or rapid and frantic ascents and descents, is absolutely to be avoided. Although such behaviors might produce spectacular footage, they are in reality signals of an incorrect interaction with the animal and a prelude to an incident. Sometimes, however, these episodes are also triggered by previous contacts with less responsible divers.
Always avoid following the shark all the way to the surface: you risk skipping your safety stop, but even more importantly, at the water’s surface, it is much harder to fend off a potential attack.
Even if shots are almost always taken near the surface, for white balance it is preferable to use the automatic setting, as seen in the first video illustrating the approach technique described earlier. In the second video, the white balance was set to 5500K, a value I typically use for surface shots, and even with careful post-production, I couldn’t achieve the desired results.
When filming the oceanic whitetip, correct positioning is of fundamental importance and must be prepared already during the approach phase. The sun should be behind the diver, and it is essential to avoid including other divers and bubbles in the frame.
Should you wish to post on social media in a 9:16 format, it is advisable to avoid overly close-up shots. In the absence of an accessory wide-angle lens, these frames risk blurring and, in any case, make it difficult to position the shark effectively within the vertical format.
Daedalus Reef, Egypt 2025, with GoPro13, 16:9, 5.3K, 60fps