Shot Chat
Get the inside track on how top underwater photographers think and feel about images.
What’s this all about?
Have you ever felt unsure about a shot you’ve taken? After all the time you’ve spent making, editing, and viewing it, you feel as though you can’t see it with any measure of objectivity anymore? We certainly have, and at times like that it’s great to be able to turn around and ask a trusted observer for their opinion.
There is a great deal of underwater imagery out there, but almost all of it is the author’s best work. The inner and external debate about images left on the editing room floor, either rightfully or not, is absent from the public forum.
We believe there is a lack of no-holds barred, honest photography technique discussion available to the underwater photography community, and we created the Shot Chat to change that. On here, our panel of professional, highly decorated underwater shooters will submit images for critique, sharing with the wider world those images we have doubts about. In turn, you will have the inside track on how award-winning underwater photographers think and feel about photographs.
Meet The Panel
Grant Thomas
Grant’s split level imagery may be swooping up endless awards, as well as the adoration of the general public, but in the Shot Chat team we all know it really means he is only half an underwater photographer.
True story: Grant is frequently confused with a fashion photographer of the same name, nationality and birth year. He frequently receives emails requesting fashion shoots, but has so far resisted the urge to switch fish for supermodels.
Find him at www.grantthomasphotography.com and on Instagram
Anita Kainrath
Although she may give the appearance of puppy-loving perfection, Anita is the Simon Cowell of our judging panel, shattering photographic aspirations with her withering put-downs.
True story: Anita used to roam Viennese streets at night, looking for the perfect wall to spray her stencils on. Blek le Rat, ROA and Banksy are her heroes.
Find her on Instagram
Shane Gross
The straight-talker of the group with a beard to match, Shane cuts an imposing figure on the judging panel. In truth however, he is swiftly turned into a blubbering mess when faced with a powerful conservation photograph.
True story: Shane was once in a car accident while he was in the trunk.
Find him at www.shanegross.com and on Instagram
Jade Hoksbergen
As likely to be found with a paintbrush in hand as a camera, Jade brings an instinctive, artist’s eye to the panel. If your shot can make it past her sleep deprived eyes, you know you’re onto a winner.
True story: Jade is incapable of whistling.
Find her at www.jadehoksbergen.com and on Instagram
Henley Spiers
Always keen to push boundaries, Henley spends most of his time disguising photographic failures by calling them "fine art", only to be understood and appreciated by him alone.
True story: Never uses emojis, no seriously, never.
Find him at www.henleyspiers.com and on Instagram
Did you know that most bios are actually written by the person in question? Well, we decided to break the mould a bit with our intros and have some fun. That being said, this is a seriously talented group of underwater photographers and if you are not already familiar with their work, a click on the website or a follow of their Instagram should be considered borderline compulsory.
Read The Chats
To keep updated on the latest Shot Chats, please follow the Shot Chat team on Instagram (links above) or check back here, we will launch new material most weeks.
How? Chat | Antihero
Tony Myshlyaev stopped us in our tracks with his shot: ‘Antihero’. Here he shares the story behind it with the Shot Chat team, and we get a clear glimpse of his dedication to detail, light, and the crafting of an image.
BAHAMAS | Book Chat
In this Shot Chat, we celebrate the launch of Shane Gross’ new book, Bahamas Underwater, by critiquing a selection of images from its pages.
VIII. Turtle Motion Blur
In this Shot Chat, reigning Underwater Photographer of the Year, Renee Grinnell Capozzolla shares with us the start of her journey into motion blur.
How? Chat | In The Bath With Barry
Barry McGill won the Underbathwater Photographer of the year Amateur category with an image that defies everything you thought you knew about bath environments. Shot Chat caught up with him to find out just how he did it.
How? Chat | In The Bath With Mikko
Mikko Paasi won the inaugural Fourth Element Underbathwater Photographer of the Year competition and repeated the trick again in 2021, we caught up with him to find out just how he captured such a stunning moment in the tub.
VII. Dolphin Shot Splits Opinions
The Shot Chat team debate the merits of Henley Spiers’ unusual dolphin image, with reigning Underwater Photographer of the Year Renee Grinnell Capozzolla kindly joining us as guest star.
How? Chat | City Frog
British Underwater Photographer of the Year, Mark Kirkland, shares the gruelling story behind the creation of ‘While You Sleep’, his exceptional image of an inner city frog at night.
Destination Chat | BYRON BAY
In the first Destination Shot Chat, we turn our attention to Byron Bay, Australia, with guest star Simone Caprodossi, showcasing the local marine life highlights.
SPECIAL Edition | UPY 2021 Congrats & Commiserations
The Shot Chat panel assembles to discuss their experience the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2021.
VI. Do the Eyes Always Have to be In Focus?
In the first chat to feature a macro image, Jade Hoksbergen asks the panel if a cute, artistic portrait of a juvenile damselfish can still succeed if the eyes are out of focus.
How? Chat | Love Birds
In the first ever ‘How Chat’, Grant Thomas shares the full backstory behind ‘Love Birds’, his unforgettable image of two swans.
V. Battle of the Palau Spawning Shots
Guest star Richard Barnden submits images of fish in compromising position for The Shot Chat panel to discuss.
IV. Dugong Debate
Anita Kainrath puts four dugong shots to The Shot Chat panel and asks “which is the best?”.
Guest star Richard Barnden joins us for the great dugong debate.
SPECIAL Edition | UPY 2021 Primer
Guest star, and previous overall winner, Richard Barnden, joins The Shot Chat panel to discuss the Underwater Photographer of the Year contest as the deadline for the 2021 edition approaches.
III. The Introverted Barracuda
Shane Gross wonders if there’s still a place in the world for understated images such as this barracuda in the mangroves.
II. Why Didn’t This Shot Do Better?
Grant Thomas asks the panel why this shot, which he loves, didn’t do better in competitions.
I. The Case of the Blurry Cormorants
Henley Spiers offers the judging panel something a bit ‘special’. Motion blur is all the rage these days, but is it possible to have too much of it?