THE DEEP – An underwater photography adventure in Hull, UK.
THE DEEP – An underwater photography adventure in Hull, UK.
A Visit to The Deep in Hull: A Bristol Photographer’s Experience
Recently, I had the chance to visit The Deep in Hull, an incredible facility that proudly calls itself a “Submarium.” Essentially, it’s a massive aquarium with a main tank and several smaller ones. According to their Wikipedia page, The Deep contains thousands of sea creatures, including seven species of shark, and holds a staggering 2,500,000 litres of water! The building, designed by Sir Terry Farrell, is truly impressive. Being a Bristol-based photographer, I was excited about visiting this superb attraction and taking on the challenge of photographing marine life in such a unique environment.
The Challenge of Photographing Sea Creatures
Initially, I assumed that photographing sea life would be simple, but it turned out to be far more challenging than expected. Fish swim, sharks glide, and jellyfish drift – none of them stop for a photo! Coupled with the dim lighting, it created quite the photographic obstacle. I quickly realized that capturing these swift creatures in motion would be a real test of my skills.
Experimenting with Lenses and Techniques
To get the best shots, I experimented with different lenses. One of my favourite images, a jellyfish, was taken using my 17-40mm f4 wide lens. I found that getting close to the glass eliminated reflections, though in some cases, those reflections added an interesting effect. Using a high ISO was essential due to the low light. I brought my tripod but soon discovered it was unnecessary—after all, the real movement problem came from the sea creatures, not me!
Each Creature a New Challenge
As I made my way through The Deep, each species presented a fresh challenge. Slower-moving creatures, like catfish, were easier to photograph, while faster swimmers, like sharks, were much trickier. I particularly enjoyed photographing stingrays as they glided overhead in the glass tunnel. The wide-angle shots helped freeze their motion and add drama to the composition.
The Elusive Shark Shot
Naturally, I was eager to capture a great shot of a shark. However, they proved difficult to photograph as they moved quickly through the water. I did manage to snap one descending, though it didn’t quite have the simplicity I achieved with the jellyfish photo. While I could have Photoshopped out some of the man-made elements in the tank, I prefer keeping my shots as authentic as possible.
A Surprise Favourite: The Penguins
Oddly enough, one of my favourite moments at The Deep was spent photographing the penguins. They were far more cooperative subjects, and I enjoyed spending time capturing their personalities. I’ll admit, they became the unexpected highlight of my visit!
Looking Forward to Bristol Aquarium
Living in Bristol, I’m already planning my next sea life photography adventure at Bristol Aquarium. I’m eager to see how it compares and to apply what I learned at The Deep. If you’ve been to Bristol Aquarium, let me know what to watch out for!
Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects
I hope you’ve enjoyed my shots from The Deep! Keep an eye out for my upcoming post featuring owl photography. Until then, here’s a shark… and my feet!
Thanks,
Paul – Bristol Photographer
