Smile

Had my camera in the water housing, shooting a beach session, when a pod of dolphins came through just off the break. I grabbed a soft-top from Manly Surf School and paddled straight out after them.

Every time I closed the gap and slipped off the board to get under the surface, they'd vanish. Chased them like that for a good while, further out than I probably should've gone alone, and I could feel my own nerves starting to work against me. Dolphins pick up on that.

So I stopped chasing. Sat on the board, let my heart rate come down, and just followed their line instead of closing in. Once I was actually calm, I went under and opened my eyes to frame the shot, and that's when one broke off and looked straight at me, lens to eye, while the rest of the pod circled around us both.

Shot between North Steyne and the Queenscliff Bombie. Still the best lesson I've had on reading the water instead of fighting it.

Large size is a limited edition of 50, individually numbered and accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity.