We’ve got some new photos of sharks circulating on the internet and they may just be a little too close for comfort. They make you wonder, “How in the world did someone get that close to a shark with that sharp of teeth?”
A photographer and entrepreneur named Euan Rannachan has quite the reputation for his breathtaking shark photography. He gets incredibly close to the large predators. Then, his shots are worthy for the cover of a blockbuster film.
“I have been fascinated by apex predators all my life including sharks. I had always wanted to cage dive with them and after my first trip [in 2016], I knew it was something I needed to do a lot more of … can tell you once you do it for the first time, you honestly don’t want to get out,” Rannachan told a news outlet, according to the New York Post.
On top of his stellar photography skills, he is also the creator of a travel adventure company called “Be A Shark.”
For many people, the sight of a Great White shark insights a feeling often far from admiration. Fear is a little closer to the mark. However, with his photography and business, Rannachan hopes to show people to beauty, grace, and resilience of the massive creatures.
While many people associate these sharks with attacks, thanks to “Jaws,” humans are not their purposeful prey. According to the Florida Museum, the International Shark Attack File observed 57 unprovoked shark bites on humans and 39 provoked bites in 2020. Given the number of sharks out there, it’s a pretty slim number.
Changing the Outlook on the Great White
It’s all part of what Rannachan hopes to showcase to people. While sharks certainly are worthy of fear, we don’t always need to associate them that way. He said that he has a hard time even putting into words “how calming the cage can be at times.”
“Helping to educate people now on the fact sharks are not the man-eating monsters they get portrayed as has become part of my life’s work. My photos help with that but there really is no substitute to actually seeing the sharks with your own eyes. I call it the rewiring of your brain takes place and you realize they are not there to get you,” he also said.
He’s a little bit safer out in the water due to his extensive knowledge of the creatures too. He can tell based on movement and approach what the shark is going to do. He then can often manipulate this into outstanding art that shows the size and beauty of the animal.
Rannachan can actually get GoPros in their mouths and back out. Most people when they’re inches away from one of the most powerful predators in the world would want to maybe back away or begin frantically swimming away. For Rannachan, his only worry in the world is battery life, lighting, and interesting lighting.
