John Daffy
‘Get close and keep it wide – water acts like a filter.’
‘Get close and keep it wide – water acts like a filter.’
‘Get close and keep it wide – water acts like a filter.’
‘Get close and keep it wide – water acts like a filter.’
‘Get close and keep it wide – water acts like a filter.’
Moments with Manta Rays
Moments with Manta Rays
Moments with Manta Rays
Moments with Manta Rays
Moments with Manta Rays
It stands as one of the great underwater photographs – Face off.
In an underwater world where descriptions like ‘stunningly graceful’ often seem surrenderingly inadequate, ‘face off’ captures a Manta ray arching backwards, mirroring a diver’s suspended form.
Something from the world of Atlantis or a frame up engineered by Hollywood? No, this shot is taken literally on the doorstep of North Stradbroke Island, “Straddie” by a very modest, courteous and quietly spoken man, Mr David Biddulph.
Face off is an attraction image, which powerfully promotes one of the most rewarding tourism experiences to international visitors by capturing underwater moments of excellence.
David becomes a white pointer of the camera, zeroing in on Manta rays, leopard sharks, guitar sharks, loggerhead turtles and other creatures. Sure, there are others who consistently take remarkable and brilliant underwater photos – others like the well-travelled and internationally acclaimed Darren Jew whose portfolio includes a spectacular shot of nine whales in the one frame. That trumped his previous efforts of six and seven whales and took the ‘wow’ factor to the ‘how?’ factor. A guru of the underwater shot – you don’t get awarded the Australian Institute of Professional Photography’s title of Science, Environment and Nature Photographer of the Year five times without knowing your craft.
Quietly and efficiently, David has mastered the art of blending his professional career and personal past-time by supplementing his income with wedding photography and since 1981, David has become a certified PADI Dive Master (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), enabling his passion of underwater photography.
David’s best tip is to “Get close and keep it wide – water acts like a filter.”
“People should aim to become a diver first. They need to hone their skills first as a diver and then come along using a camera.”
And what does David like photographing the most?
“Mantas – yes Mantas and the underneath shots of grey nurse sharks.” …
Face Off with Manta Ray
Mr David Biddulph