A stunning fish with huge lips and intricately patterned scales has been caught on camera by a marine photographer. In the eye-catching snaps, the fish’s impressive size and unique features are perfectly showcased against the rich blue of the Indonesian ocean.
Adventurous photographer Gary Brennand, 54, photographed the Napoleon wrasse fish while diving near the coast of Bali, Indonesia.
“I then try and position myself to how I think the picture will show the best parts of the fish and also show the character of the animal,” he continued, explaining his approach to underwater photography.
Gary said that “most things are safe underwater” if one doesn’t try to touch or startle them. “A bit like how a stranger would be if you rushed into their house instead of ringing the doorbell,” he said.
The diver and marine photographer asserted that he has never been attacked by a marine animal, not even by a shark.
The Napoleon wrasse fish, otherwise known as the humphead wrasse—scientific name Cheilinus undulatus—is the largest member of the Labridae family of carnivorous fish.
Allegedly, Napoleon wrasse fish in more protected areas actively seek out tactile interaction and have even been known to bond with individual scuba divers.
Marine photographer Gary Brennand’s amazing photographs of the hump-headed fish with the perfect pout are helping remind conscientious wildlife lovers of the importance of protecting the ocean’s most vulnerable creatures.
Gary adores the process of scouting for subjects and setting up a shot; however, he admitted that underwater action shots can be challenging to get right. Capturing a photograph of a marine animal displaying its natural behavior, he said, involves undertaking preliminary research in order to understand the creature and how best to interact with it.
Gary’s favorite marine animal to photograph is the turtle. The photographer praised them for being “so chilled out” and “very calming to be around.”
Beside the Napoleon wrasse, the diver has amassed photographs of himself with barracuda, whale sharks, lion fish, turtles, potato cod, and jellyfish. “I’ve even had my teeth cleaned by cleaner shrimp,” Gary said.
