Photographer Spotlight: Scott Portelli

Scott Portelli is an international award-winning wildlife, nature and underwater photographer. He’s also a member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and serving NSW Council member. Portelli has spent thousands of hours in remote locations across the globe. Favorites include the Arctic, Antarctica, Galapagos, Azores, Africa and the South Pacific. He films and photographs wildlife, the underwater environment and numerous wild places.

The Australian National Awards announced him as the winner of the Sony World Photography Awards in 2016. His conservation documentary also took two awards at the French Underwater Film Festival in Marseille, including the French Federation of Cinema award.

Humpback whales are very protective of their young and will keep them close by and in shallow water to ensure their safety. Less than a few days old, this newborn calf had hardly any markings and was exploring its environment for the first time. Camera: Canon 5D MK III Lens: 16-35mm lens Shutter speed: 1/160, f6.3, ISO 320

I was poised on my boat’s roof looking for whales when this streak of blue and silver began to circle around. I jumped in to see that there was a blue marlin hunting a skipjack tuna. As I hit the water, the tuna sought refuge under me and moved around my body as the marlin edged closer towards us. It wasn’t long before the marlin caught the tuna. But the marlin stuck around, thinking the chrome propeller of the boat was a fish, moving and glistening in the sun. Camera: Canon 5D MK III Lens: 16-35mm lens Shutter speed: 1/200, f8, ISO 500 Camera: Canon 5D MK III Lens: 16-35mm lens Shutter speed: 1/200, f8, ISO 500

During one season in Tonga, a number of jellyfish had congregated in the harbor. This bloom of jellies doesn’t usually occur. At the end of the day upon our return into the harbor, we noticed the jellyfish would be sitting on the surface. The light was perfect, and the sunlight piercing their membrane accentuated the translucent animal. It was the perfect subject to get in the water with. Camera: Canon 5D MK II Lens: 15mm Fisheye Shutter speed: 1/320, f18, ISO 320

How long have you been an underwater photographer?

I’ve been taking underwater photos since 2001, but only moved into a professional role in 2007. This was also the year I won my first photojournalism award.

What got you interested in underwater photography?

I would say the diversity of life you find in the ocean was the main reason I started to look at photographing subjects underwater. The more I traveled, the more I wanted to explore the surrounding oceans. Learning about the multitude of creatures that inhabit our oceans inspired me to capture their true essence.

What’s your favorite style of underwater photography?

I shoot predominantly wide-angle with big subjects, but shoot macro as well. I have been photographing marine life of all shapes and sizes for many years and appreciate the smallest to the largest creatures.

Any favorite subjects?

I spend a lot of time with whales and have an affinity with these amazing mammals. I am constantly searching the world for my next whale encounter, and photographing as many of these fragile species as possible.

Any favorite destinations?

Antarctica is one of the last remaining untouched places on Earth with an abundance of wildlife and marine life. There is nothing more exhilarating than being in the water with the top apex predator in the polar region, the leopard seal.

What’s your underwater setup?

I use a Canon 5D MKIII in a Seacam housing, with 2 x DS161 Ikelite strobes and float arms.

Do you have any tips you can share with new underwater photographers?

• Know your equipment before you use it. Spend time going over every inch of your underwater housing. Learn where all the buttons and levers are, and how they work in correlation to your camera body.
• Ensure your underwater housing is free of hairs or obstructions when you close the housing. It only takes one mistake to flood an expensive housing and camera set up.
• Check that your lens cap is off your camera before putting it in the housing. This may sound obvious, but once you’re underwater you won’t be able to take the lens cap off and this could ruin a dive.
• Never put your camera housing together on a boat or in a wet environment. This could get on equipment that has electronics and short out a camera. It can even be the catalyst for equipment rusting and corrosion.
• Check for dust on inside of the dome. It sounds simple, but make sure there are no loose dust particles moving around.

For more of Scott Portelli’s work, check his website and Instagram.

By guest author Scott Portelli