Hannes Klostermann Underwater Photography

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  • Collision Avoidance - Even though they have a huge blind spot right in front of them, Whale Sharks are amazingly aware of their surroundings and always make sure they don't just run you over.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_023.jpg
  • This is only a very small portion of the famous "Wall of Sharks" of Fakarava in French Polynesia. On practically every dive, more than a hundred sharks can be observed here, slowly cruising the current to conserve energy.
    hk_french_polynesia_2018_070.jpg
  • This is what happens when a pack of nurse sharks go mad in Bimini. The fine sand produces giant clouds and visibility drops to near zero. Still good fun though!
    hk_bahamas_2018_020.jpg
  • Tiger Beach might be famous for its tiger sharks, but that doesn't mean that they're the only species of shark that frequent these waters! Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks, nurse sharks, the occassional great hammerhead and bull sharks can all be seen on the dives as well!
    hk_bahamas_2018_083.jpg
  • Part two of my Shark Close-ups series shows the face of one of the most beautiful of all sharks, the Caribbean Reef Shark. You can see its eye, mouth, nose and part of the sensory array they use to detect electrical signals from their prey.
    hk_bahamas_2018_080.jpg
  • This tiny grey reef shark was part of a large group of sharks known as "the wall of sharks".  In fact you can see some of her buddies at the bottom of the frame. This one was around 60cm long and super cute! Notice the shape of the pupil! My next post will show what their eyes looks like at night!
    hk_french_polynesia_2018_057.jpg
  • Conditions were challenging when I went to Bimini in March. The sand there is like powder and countless pesky nurse sharks can stir it up a lot. Without a current to carry away the particles, divers quickly find themselves surrounded by a giant cloud, which makes photographing these beautiful, but shy creatures very tricky.
    hk_bahamas_2018_008.jpg
  • When the tigers aren't around on Tiger Beach, you can always rely on those gorgeous Caribbean reef sharks to entertain you for a while!
    hk_bahamas_2018_038.jpg
  • Last Monday I had my very first encounter with what for me is the most beautiful of all sharks: the blue shark. These extremely elegant, pelagic animals are unfortunately a rare sighting in many parts of the world these days, due to the high demand for shark fins and other products. Their large pectoral fins make them a prime target for shark fishing worldwide and their lifestyle makes it fairly easy to catch them. Did you know that Spain is one of the top exporters of shark products? We Europeans tend to regard China as the source of all evil when it comes to shark-related issues, yet we're still very much part of the problem!  The IUCN currently lists the blue shark as near threatened. The last assessment, however, was made in 2005, so numbers are likely lower today, as commercial fishing continues largely unhindered.
    hk_blue_sharks_13-02-2019_002.jpg
  • A blue shark approaching in open water. These are, in my opinion, the most beautiful sharks of all with their long fins and big eyes.
    hk_blue_sharks_04-02-2019_003.jpg
  • Tiger shark extraordinaire Emma comes close to check out my legs (and camera) :)<br />
<br />
Because it's time for Shark Week, let me just point out that there are NO dangerous sharks. <br />
<br />
I'm sure there will be plenty of quality shows this week but also the usual programmes exploiting many people's irrational fears. Even a tiger shark the size of Emma (~15ft/5m) can be pushed away with ease when the situation is handled correctly. Again: there are no dangerous sharks. There are however potentially dangerous situations. Poor visibility, food in the water and people doing foolish things (like swimming away, splashing around etc) can make a shark investigate with its mouth. If their other senses aren't enough to determine what you are, that's simply the only thing they have left. Humans use their hands every day to figure out what something is, but sharks obviously don't have that tool available to them. As long as you keep a close look on the shark, you can always remain in control of the situation. We have to remember that we are only guests in the ocean, so let's treat all its inhabitants with the respect they deserve. Please just keep that in mind as you enjoy this year's sharky programmes :)
    hk_bahamas_2018_039.jpg
  • This is Tequila, a female tiger shark and long time resident at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas. These sharks are truly magnificent and despite their enormous size, they hardly ever harm people. Incidents with tiger sharks are usually the result of their curiosity and divers not paying close enough attention to their movements. Swimming away from an approaching shark or showing erratic movements, for example, will always peak their interest, as that is what their prey would normally do. Simply standing one's ground and gently pushing them away is all it takes to show them that you're in charge. Despite having 5 to 6 tigers around for the majority of my diving at Tiger Beach, not once was there any hint of danger or aggression. Despite chum and bait in the water, the animals move at a very relaxed pace. In fact, I would say that diving at Tiger Beach is the perfect thing to do if you're afraid of sharks. It is impossible not to see their beauty, and how they are not the mindless killers the media like to make us believe, after spending some quality time with them in this beautiful environment.
    hk_bahamas_2018_043.jpg
  • Hammerhead Sharks are known to travel long distances between the sea mounts in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Indivuals move between the likes of Cocos, Galapagos, Malpelo or the Revillagigedo Islands (Socorro) on a fairly regular basis. During those long journeys, they often get infested by fungi that grow on their bodies (the blotches on the side of the shark in this picture). Luckily, certain reef fish at those sea mounts provide a cleaning service to the sharks. In fact, most reef fish are cleaners at some point in their lives! They simply eat the fungi off the shark's body and in return, the sharks don't feed on them. This symbiotic relationship is just one of many examples of how these supposedly mindless killing machines interact with their environment in an intelligent and sustainable way. A balance that was intact for millions of years - before human intervention. Today, hundrets of millions of sharks are killed every year, mostly for their fins, but also for cosmetics, leather, hydraulic oils and other things. This will undoubtedly have a severe effect on the entire marine ecosystem - an ecosystem that billions of people around the world rely on for food and oxygen. If we keep disturbing this balance, this will ultimately be our own downfall.
    hk_galapagos_2017_020.jpg
  • Following up from my previous post, we move from a pond near the Everglades back to Tiger Beach in the Bahamas, where tiger sharks can still be seen in good numbers. Sadly, even here they have dropped by more than 50%. While dives with around 20 tigers were the norm only a decade or two ago, today you'd be very lucky to see 10! Thankfully, these are very curious creatures so the ones you get tend to stick around. Having six tiger sharks swirling around you is still an amazing experience! I'd love to know what it's like with 20 of them! Have you ever dived with tiger sharks? If so, where and how was it?
    hk_bahamas_2018_061.jpg
  • Sharks have amazing eyes, very much worth a closer look! Tiger Sharks for example have diamond shaped pupils, as can be seen in this image. This is the first in a series of close-up photographs of sharks that I will be posting in the coming weeks.
    hk_bahamas_2018_076.jpg
  • During the summer, there are a lot of Whale Sharks in the waters just north of Isla Mujeres in Mexico. However, this does not go unnoticed so there is an armada of boats heading out each day to give people a chance to snorkel with these beautiful giants. Sadly, not all operators use the appropriate amount of care when navigating these waters which can lead to sharks being injured. This guy here for example has a large portion of both his tail and dorsal fins missing. The good news is that despite the very obvious injuries the shark has grown to a large size so thankfully, he still seems to be able to feed efficiently. Nevertheless people should make the safety of these magnificent animals their number one priority.  Like, share or comment if you agree :)
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_029.jpg
  • Taken on the Wetpixel Whale Shark Trip 2017.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_042.jpg
  • Let's make the next 12 months a good year for the conservation of our oceans! Many countries are now heading in the right direction regarding the use (or rather ban) of single-use plastics, but there is still lots to be done! Every little helps! You can be a voice for our oceans. Convince your favourite restaurants and takeaways to get rid of plastics and say no to products sourced from sharks. I captured this gorgeous pregnant tiger shark at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas, one of the few places left in the world where you can see these apex predators in good numbers.
    hk_bahamas_2018_092.jpg
  • Very large, pregnant Whale Sharks can often be seen in the waters of Darwin Island in the Galapagos. In fact, more than 90 per cent of all Whale Sharks seen at this island are pregnant! This 14 metre long female clearly shows two bulges, which is where she carries eggs and hatched pups. The pups then develop in both uteri. Once they're ready, the juveniles emerge as fully-developed, yet miniature Whale Sharks.
    hk_galapagos_2017_022.jpg
  • Similar to what happens in our eyes, shark pupils dilate in the dark to allow more light to enter the eye and therefore improve night vision. While the eye of a grey reef shark (like the one in this picture) looks like a cat eye during the day, you can see in this picture that the pupil is dilated and almost round. These sharks hunt mainly at night, using a whole array of superior senses to detect and track their prey. Go compare the eyes to my last post to see the difference a few hours can make!
    hk_french_polynesia_2018_080.jpg
  • This beautiful great hammerhead was one of the stars of my recent trip to Bimini! Despite their enormous size and power, they are incredibly cautious and can even be regarded as shy. Unlike the tiger sharks at Tiger Beach, these sharks are easily spooked by people not being calm, or even the ever-present, far smaller nurse sharks!
    hk_bahamas_2018_018.jpg
  • Even though the lovely ladies at Tiger Beach usually move quite slowly, they do expect divers to move out of their way. After all, they're the biggest fish in that particular part of the sea. This can cause some confusion, especially when divers don't keep an eye on the sharks that surround them. Notice the diver that got knocked over by the tigress in this picture? Notice the lemon shark just next to him? No reaction. Despite what the media would like you to believe, even a diver losing control and falling over right next to a shark doesn't just end up as shark food, let alone someone that remains in charge of the situation. Sharks are used to other animals trying to get away from them, so people standing their ground (or swimming towards them even!) actually confuse and intimidate them quite a bit. Every species is different though. Tiger sharks for example are too curious and confident to care much about what other animals or people do or don't do, whereas hammerheads get spooked very easily. Remaining passive while keeping an eye on the shark is usually the best way to get a good, safe interaction.
    hk_bahamas_2018_055.jpg
  • Last week, I finally got to tick off one of my favourite sharks from my "animals I want to see" list, the shortfin mako! These are believed to be the fastest sharks (although now, some claim it might be the salmon shark) and their big, black eyes and crazy-looking jaws certainly add to their appeal. Here, one can be seen sharing the water, and the afternoon sun, with photographer extraordinaire Fabrice Guerin!<br />
That day, we saw three different individuals in the water (including a tiny baby, maybe 70cm long, but just as confident as the larger ones), and many more breaching!<br />
<br />
Image taken with a Nikon D500 and Tokina 10-17mm fisheye in a Nauticam housing. Natural light only.<br />
<br />
Check out my other images on www.hk-underwater.com
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  • See the little fish? Whale Sharks are often followed by smaller fish for protection and sometimes food.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_028.jpg
  • Yesterday I had the pleasure to share the water with a maximum of 6 silky sharks at the same time. Conditions were pretty rough but the sharks more than made up for the bounciness and strong currents.
    hk_cabo_shark_dive_29-05-2019_066.jpg
  • Everyone on the boat gets very excited when someone shouts this word. It's Spanish for 'bottle' and describes a feeding behaviour where Whale Sharks stop swimming, which causes their tail to sink. They then 'stand' in the water and feed by moving their massive mouths and gills. It is still not clear why they do this. However, there seems to be a link to the concentration of food in the water.  One common theory states that they stop when they find a very dense patch of food. An opposing theory is that they might be saving energy by not swimming when there is little food present. Maybe one day we will know for sure :) Taken on the Wetpixel Whale Shark Trip 2017.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_051.jpg
  • Another very close encounter with one of the whale sharks at Isla Mujeres. I'm off to the Galapagos tomorrow, so fingers crossed for a couple more of these guys!
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_045.jpg
  • Some of the sharks of Isla Mujeres are very friendly! This guy for example became my BFFLTMOS (Best Friend For Like Ten Minutes Or So :) ) swimming very slowly in tight circles around me. Without any movement on my part he came in very close several times. This was probably the best moment of this trip! Share your favourite underwater moments in the comments :)
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_032.jpg
  • Peacefully is how we should interact with these beautiful animals. Just admire their beauty, strengh and elegance and refrain from consuming products that contain shark and today can be a good day for sharks wordwide.
    hk_bahamas_2018_066.jpg
  • A sabre squirrelfish hides under coral from a pack of grey reef sharks
    hk_french_polynesia_2018_068.jpg
  • Blacktip reef sharks patrolling the shallow areas of a reef in French Polynesia.
    hk_french_polynesia_2018_067.jpg
  • Because there are so many Whale Sharks at Isla Mujeres, it can actually be quite hard to keep out of their way. Therefore it's important to be situationally aware at all times which is most easily done by turning around 360 degrees every now and then. Doing this also helps to not miss one of them swimming past metres behind you...
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_024.jpg
  • This Whale Shark is 'standing' vertically in the water to feed on dense patches of plankton. When they stop swimming their tail sinks thus putting them in this unique position.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_005.jpg
  • Posting some pictures from last year this week. This today it's another bunch of sharks from Tiger Beach. There are three different species in this picture! Can you name them all?
    hk_bahamas_2018_056.jpg
  • Taken on the Wetpixel Whale Shark Trip 2017.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_039.jpg
  • These gentle giants need to be protected more and people need to be aware of how everyone can help protect them. I saw this one at Isla Mujeres in Mexico. Every day I would find (and pick up) some pieces of plastic floating around at the surface, which is exactly where whale sharks feed most of the time. If we all just make a little effort to not use plastic straws and bags, it would already help a great deal!
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_022.jpg
  • Part 3 of my shark close-up series shows the eye of a Lemon Shark, one of the most common species of shark at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas. It is important to keep in mind though, that although they may seem abundant there, their numbers are in rapid decline around the world and they could be threatened with extinction very soon!
    hk_bahamas_2018_081.jpg
  • A blacktip reef shark patrolling the shallow area of a reef in French Polynesia. Here, an abundance of hard coral and marine life makes for astonishing views. Sharks are often shy and as a photographer, you need a lot of patience to get the images you're after.
    hk_french_polynesia_2018_110.jpg
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  • Even the 'little' ones are pretty big! It's still funny to see a perfectly shaped Whale Shark, just a few sizes smaller than usual.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_017.jpg
  • Shark feeder Vincent Canabal offering up a snack to this beauty! Despite their enormous size, great hammerheads share their smaller cousins' shyness. Seeing them in direct comparison with the notoriously curious tiger sharks is a real eye-opener.
    hk_bahamas_2018_012.jpg
  • A Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) swimming away after a close pass.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_025.jpg
  • Night dives in French Polynesia can be a huge thrill! In some places, you can dive with hundreds of grey reef sharks and feel like you're part of the pack! Can you spot a different species?
    hk_french_polynesia_2018_082.jpg
  • Schools of Hammerhead Sharks are known to send a spotter ahead of the group, to check the area for potential dangers. The spotter will then return to the school and communicate with them in a way we don't yet understand. If the spotter is scared away, for example by overly keen photographers, the school will never come close to the reef or cleaning station. Large schools of Hammerheads can often be seen at the remote sea mounts of Darwin and Wolf Island in the Galapagos. PS: Notice the huge school of big eye jacks in the edge of the frame?
    hk_galapagos_2017_023.jpg
  • White tip reef sharks resting on a rock
    hk_socorro_feb20_0784.jpg
  • White tip reef sharks resting on a rock
    hk_socorro_feb20_0556.jpg
  • Not the usual blue shark picture, but I quite like the depth and eye contact on this one. What do you think? <br />
For me it's always fun to experiment with different angles and techniques, even though this dramatically decreases the number of keepers! This is something I should do a lot more often, and in fact it's kind of a new year's resolution for me.
    hk_blue_sharks_13-02-2019_003.jpg
  • I just cannot get enough of these beautiful animals! Can't wait to see them again next winter!
    hk_blue_sharks_13-02-2019_001.jpg
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  • Taken on the Wetpixel Whale Shark Trip 2017.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_043.jpg
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  • Taken on the Wetpixel Whale Shark Trip 2017.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_002.jpg
  • This Whale Shark is clearly a saint!
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_030.jpg
  • A large female tiger shark called Emma swimming through a group of divers at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas. These are very confident animals that know they don't have to fear anyone that's down there with them. This however doesn't mean that they are aggressive in any way. They will expect you to make way for them and will run you over if you don't, but there are hardly any serious incidents involving divers and it is surprisingly easy to steer them away should they get a bit too close for comfort!
    hk_bahamas_2018_049.jpg
  • A grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) with potential prey. You can see the right pectoral fin pointing down instead of to the side, which is how they execute tight turns. I witnessed this fascinating behaviour during a night dive in French Polynesia.<br />
The end? What do you think happened next?
    hk_french_polynesia_2018_077.jpg
  • 30 degrees delicate cycle, no fabric conditioner :)
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_034.jpg
  • In many countries, today is Mother's day! Let's celebrate it with this beautiful, pregnant tiger shark!
    hk_bahamas_2018_051.jpg
  • A Whale Shark 'Botella' Feeding near our boat in Mexico. With a bit of caution, they can be easily approached during this vertical feeding frenzy allowing for ample photo opportunities! Taken on the Wetpixel Whale Shark Trip 2017.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_003.jpg
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  • Another older image, taken at Tiger Beach last year. The eye of a Caribbean reef shark. Can anybody tell me what those things are to the left of the eye? Some sort of parasite, I assume?
    hk_bahamas_2018_078.jpg
  • A snorkeler trying to get the perfect picture of this Whale Shark. These guys are much faster than you might think! Even with a gentle movement of their tail they can easily outswim a human. Think you can keep up? ;)
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_027.jpg
  • There's nothing quite like having a tiger shark swim just over your head!
    hk_bahamas_2018_065.jpg
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  • Did you know that at least every other breath we take contains oxygen generated in the ocean? This fact alone should highlight the importance of this vast ecosystem that covers around 70% of our planet's surface. <br />
<br />
Despite its importance though, we as a species have been doing our very best to destroy marine ecosystems through run-off, overfishing and plastics, just to name a few. <br />
<br />
Thankfully, many countries are now starting to re-think their relationship with (single-use) plastics, but lots remains to be done! It's important to remember that every little bit helps. Taking your own cup on your daily coffee run alone can help avoid hundreds of pieces of plastics that can potentially end up in the ocean. And that's just for one person! Try and get your friends, family and co-workers to be more aware of their impact on the world and little by little we might be able to make the change the world needs!<br />
<br />
Tiger shark, Tiger Beach, Bahamas
    hk_bahamas_2018_086.jpg
  • A school of small barracuda makes way for a passing grey reef shark.
    hk_french_polynesia_2018_036.jpg
  • This bull shark brought his whole entourage to say hello to the divers. Image taken last Sunday at Cabo Pulmo National Park, Mexico.
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  • Isla Darwin, Galapagos.
    hk_galapagos_2017_011.jpg
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  • Taken on the Wetpixel Whale Shark Trip 2017.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_037.jpg
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  • Getting these shots right has been far more difficult than I had thought. Because of their sheer size you have to dive down quite a bit to capture the entire fish, even when using a wide angle lens. To then get the sun in the right position is an even bigger challenge! Share your best silhouettes in the comments :)
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_052.jpg
  • Using a slow shutter on this image conveys a sense of motion. THese guys are fast! Taken on the Wetpixel Whale Shark Trip 2017.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_047.jpg
  • Nick and Chris of Pro Photo Baja sharing this moment with a beautiful male bull shark.
    hk_baja_california_14-10-2018_014.jpg
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  • Whale Shark coming in for his dental check up
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_020.jpg
  • Isla Mujeres, Mexico
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_004.jpg
  • A juvenile Whale Shark cruising in slightly deeper water just underneath me.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_048.jpg
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  • Taken on the Wetpixel Whale Shark Trip 2017.
    hk_isla_mujeres_2017_044.jpg
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  • fast track to extinction<br />
shark fishing camp
    hk_baja_california_29-11-2018_040.jpg
  • A silver tip shark in the blue
    hk_socorro_feb20_0798-Edit.jpg
  • Silver tip shark swimming over a reef
    hk_socorro_feb20_1145.jpg
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  • Following my previous post, this is yet another slightly more creative image. Using a slow shutter speed combined with flash blurs the background and shows the motion of the subject. Inspired by Nick More's stunning blurry blues. If you haven't yet seen his award-winning image from Cornwall in the UK, make sure you check it out now!
    hk_blue_sharks_04-02-2019_002.jpg
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  • Vincent Canabal interacting with Rodeo, one of the resident ladies at Tiger Beach.
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