Being attacked by a shark would put many people off going back into the ocean. But for Hawaiian surfer Mike Coots, 44, the near-death experience led to a new life as an underwater photographer working to understand and to help protect the majestic but threatened apex predator. I asked him about his astonishing shark images…
Your new book is called Shark: Portraits. Are sharks open to having their portraits taken?
Some sharks like the camera. They’ll come close and seem really interested in you and your camera. But some are skittish. With tiger sharks, a lot of people jump in the water and start chasing after them. You need to give them time and let the animals come towards you.
