I have always been a waterman. My first camera at age 8 was a yellow WEATHERMATIC waterproof Minolta my dad gave me. From there, I grew up between ages 8-12 diving and snorkeling in the Persian Gulf off Saudi Arabia, then moved back to Northern California where I started surfing. There are great whites all over the cold waters of Nor Cal, so they were always on our minds as surfers. Stinson Beach is notorious for great white sightings and attacks so between that and the movie Jaws, I was obsessed with them from an early age.
I also started shooting snowboarding professionally at the age of 16, and between that childhood and my career now, it just grew and grew. There was a moment for sure about five to six years ago when this took on a whole new level of focus for me. I was in the Galapagos Islands with IWC Watches, the Charles Darwin Foundation and UNESCO doing a three-week shoot and got this level of fulfillment I hadn’t felt before.
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The Inertia: What’s your gear of choice?
Michael Muller: After years of experimenting, I have concluded there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. As a result, I use a variety of cameras and equipment for underwater photography – whether shooting sharks or other species. For medium format shots, nothing out does the PHASE ONE IQ180. Although I started with Canon as my go-to SLR, in the last couple of years, I have switched over to a NIKON D800. Of course, all underwater shooting requires dependable water-tight housings. I use SUBAL housings for my SLR and a NAUTICAM housing for my PHASE ONEs. To document these adventure shoots, I use RED epic’s and GoPro cameras.
Who do you look to for inspiration on Instagram?
What do you look for in a photo? How does lighting play into the creation of your imagery?
Passion, energy and certain images that touch me resonate well (exemplified in top image). As for lighting (exemplified in bottom image), that more than anything sets my underwater shots apart. In this area, we are unique as ours is one of a kind. About six years ago, I created and was granted four patents on today’s most powerful underwater strobe system. Each strobe creates 1200 watts of power and I use up to 7 at a time. They are the exact same lights I use in the studio shooting commercial work and creating movie posters.
When I began shooting underwater, I assumed there would be strong lights to replicate my studio work. However, I discovered the best available were 400-watt lights that attach to traditional housings. My vision was to bring a great white into the studio and shoot it with edge lights and top light, etc. Realizing that I couldn’t bring the sharks into the studio, I decided that I would have to bring the studio to them.
Your favorite filter?
I use MullerPhoto App to edit photos these days. It uses visual treatments layered on a first of its kind mixing pad that allows you to explore countless blending variations for each photo with a single gesture. You may download it here.
Your favorite image of all time and a little backstory on it?
I am very passionate about animals and, for the last decade, sharks in particular. When I invented powerful strobes to photograph them with underwater, it was a game-changer for me. This is one of my all-time favorites. I don’t really have just one favorite, but if I have to pick, this would be it.
Any safety precautions you rely on when diving with sharks? Anything in particular you tell your team?
I don’t use any cages, metal suits or protection. The only time I get in a cage is when we are on the surface baiting Great White Sharks. Other than that moment, there is no need for a cage. The fact is that sharks are far more scared and skeptical of us, and with good reason. We are killing 100,000,000 sharks per year at this point. I have never even been close to being threatened by a shark. Yes, they are wild animals and to do the type of diving and photography I do takes years of spending time with these animals. I spent a lot of time learning their behavior and using my best judgement to only dive in a safe environment. After that, I feel I’m as safe as I’ll ever be.
The biggest challenge to shooting wildlife underwater, or on land for that matter, is that I have no, to very little, control. The steps I do take are to have control over my equipment and my team. The most important thing are the people. I do these expeditions with my team of guys who do both commercial shoots with me and these shark expeditions, and they have been with me between 8-12 years. I can’t communicate with them, which means I have to be positioned and ready at all times to take the shot.
Any tips for diving, and interacting in general, with sharks?
Relaxing is the key to approaching sharks. It starts with breathing. With diving, it all centers around breathing – being as efficient as you possibly can. Conserving energy is key as any little movement has a huge impact on your entire body. The same goes for your mental state, so I get as clear and in the moment as possible.
See Michael’s feature on the Instagram blog, his website for updates and follow him on Instagram: @michaelmuller7. You must.
