Scubaverse Underwater Photography Interview: Jacopo Brunetti
In an ongoing series, Scubaverse.com’s Underwater Photography Editors Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown talk to underwater photographers from around the world that they admire.
This interview is with Jacopo Brunetti from Cabo Shark Dive.
Jacopo Brunetti is the founder of Cabo Shark Dive, the first and only shark diving company in Los Cabos. He is a marine biologist, PADI Scuba Instructor, professional underwater photographer, shark behavioural expert and a big shark addict. For 12 years, Jacopo worked as a biologist, shark dive guide and professional underwater photographer with sharks and large marine animals in South Africa, Egypt, Azores, Hawaii, Mexico, Baja California, Australia & Philippines, collaborating with important institutions such as The Shark Research Lab at The Hawaiian Institute of Marine Biology.
Over the years he gained experience and skills in diving and free diving with big marine animals and he developed an efficient chumming technique to attract sharks safely. He learned how to read and observe the behaviour of sharks and will personally take care of you during your shark experience.
N/C: How long have you been running Cabo Shark Dive? How did it start?
JB: I have run Cabo Shark Dive for the past three years. I was so impressed by the huge pelagic life of Baja and thought that the best way to protect this amazing fauna is to share these wonders and inform as many people as possible about the importance of protecting sharks and other top predators to keep the balance of the ocean.
Cabo Shark Dive has a strong ecological objective. We protect the local species of sharks and pelagic predators by offering the safest, closest and most personal underwater interactions. This is the best way to raise awareness of the conservation of marine environments and encourage more people to love sharks and take part in shark sighting activities. We also promote the development of free diving with sharks as a complementary activity. Shark diving, snorkelling and shark watching are eco-sustainable activities which have no effect on shark populations and other pelagic predators, who are currently in a critical situation. We involve local fisherman in the project, to help the community and nature at the same time. While they work with us they make more money and they don’t kill any fish.
After people have dived with us we as them to do their part, to dispel myths and push shark conservation. Tell others (particularly non-divers) about your experience. Post pictures and videos – focusing on demystifying sharks (not the Jaws type!) Your shark diving experience can really help the ocean.
N/C: Do you get a chance to photograph the sharks yourself?
JB: Yes, I’m the head photographer of Cabo Shark Dive.
N/C: What camera equipment do you use?
JB: Nikon d800 or Canon 5d mk3 in a Nautical housing, fish eye lenses.
N/C: What is your favourite shark?
JB: Mako and Smooth Hammerhead.
N/C: How do you get your best shark photos? Talk us through what you do to get your best shark shots.
JB: I wait, I float at the surface and I let the sharks get close to me. I try to be invisible in the water, making as few vibrations as possible. I try to merge myself with the water, I move slowly, I slow down my heartbeat and I wait in the right place at the right moment, ready with my finger on the trigger for the perfect shot!
For more from Jacopo and Cabo Shark Dive, click on the following links:
Website: www.cabosharkdive.com
Facebook: jacob brunetti https://www.facebook.com/cabosharkdive/
