instagram:Witnessing the Beauty of Marine Life with Photographer @thomaspeschakTo see more of Thomas
instagram:Witnessing the Beauty of Marine Life with Photographer @thomaspeschakTo see more of Thomas’ sea life pictures, follow @thomaspeschak on Instagram.The biggest threat Thomas Peschak (@thomaspeschak) faces when taking photographs of marine life isn’t his close proximity to sharks and other large, potentially dangerous animals. It’s the journey he takes to get there.“The greatest risks that I face come from traveling to somewhat volatile regions and airplanes seemingly held together by rubber bands and superglue,” says the 39-year-old National Geographic photographer. “Sharks are comparatively safe.”Still, Thomas has had his share of close calls. During one particular shark shoot, a Bryde’s whale came out of nowhere, missing him by a few feet.“I was photographing a large school of sharks devouring a bait ball of sardines when I could not shake the feeling that I was being watched,” recalls Thomas. “I had only travelled a few meters when 12 tons of blubber rose like a torpedo from the depths. Instinctively, I curled into a little ball, but not before I managed to sneak a look through my viewfinder to meter and frame the scene.”Thomas’ repertoire isn’t just limited to sharks and whales, though. He shoots everything from reef mantas to green turtles. Surprisingly, he takes more than half of his underwater photos while holding his breath, without the help of scuba gear.Thomas, who was born in Germany, had an interest in marine life from a young age, snorkeling at six, and scuba diving from age 12. Soon after, he began shooting underwater pictures, having been inspired by the expansive marine environments of Jacques Cousteau and Hans Hass, and early sea life stories in National Geographic.“The photographs and films that I remember most vividly from my childhood were those featuring white sharks, tiger sharks, whale sharks and bull sharks,” says Thomas. “The ocean, especially its large predators, was a persistent force that lured me along my life’s path.” -- source link