Ocean Art 2025 – Honorable Mention Portrait

Ocean Art 2025

Honorable Mention Portrait

Alessandro Fantin

“Grace of the Deep”

The Story:

This image captures a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) gliding calmly over the sandy bottom at Tiger Beach, Bahamas. Often misunderstood as an aggressive predator, this species can display remarkable balance and awareness when approached with patience and respect.

By remaining still on the sand and allowing the shark to control the encounter, I was able to photograph a moment of quiet elegance. Its relaxed posture and steady movement revealed a rare expression of grace, where power and calm coexist in perfect harmony.

Natural light from the surface was combined with subtle artificial lighting to preserve textures and depth without altering the scene. Post-processing was intentionally minimal, limited to white balance, exposure, contrast, color management, and selective highlights and shadows to enhance depth while maintaining the authenticity of the moment.

Encounters like this are uncommon, as tiger sharks are highly mobile and rarely sustain such calm behavior. This photograph reflects the value of patience and ethical wildlife photography, offering a glimpse into the natural harmony of a top predator within its environment

Location:

Bahamas, Grand Bahama, Tiger Beach

Equipment Used:

  • Camera – Canon R5
  • Housing – Nauticam
  • Strobe/light – OneUW 160x ii strobes
  • Lens: Canon RF 15-35 f2.8

Camera Settings:

  • ISO 200
  • F/13
  • Shutter speed 1/200s

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