Nat Geo dives back into the deep end with a search for Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory!

Look for it on Nat Geo on July 5th, and Disney + and Hulu the following day, 7/6

Now, of course, Mr Gregory is an outstanding wildlife director! By employing spotters, a team placing remote cameras, and his incredible DP, he searches for the elusive Great White Shark, while encountering a whole host of other under the sea creatures, and brings them to you up close, and personal!

Host, Bertie Gregory, diving at the sea bed amongst the reefscape. (credit: National Geographic/Dan Beecham)

But what about the camera people who are capturing the video OF Mr. Gregory? I am always trying to look behind the scenes and think about what it takes to get those incredible shots of the host and their creature interactions.

In that quest, I had the chance to catch up with Dan Beecham, the underwater cinematographer specializing in capturing the remarkable creatures whom Bertie depends on.
Dan has contributed to a host of high-profile productions, including National Geographic’s Hostile Planet, BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, Frozen Planet II, Mammals, and Planet Earth III, along with several projects for Disney+ and AppleTV+.

Host Bertie Gregory filming a ragged tooth shark underwater. (credit: National Geographic/Dan Beecham)

When you watch the video remember that this project was made without the use of a shark cage. For either person.
Yep, kinda unfettered up-close look at the some of the most dangerous and fascinating creatures under the sea.

In our conversation we covered a lot of subjects, including his statement: Sharks pre-date dinosaurs and trees.
Did NOT realize that.

Host, Bertie Gregory, filming a southern right whale mother underwater. (credit: National Geographic/Dan Beecham)

Dan’s experience and work has probably touched you all before, as he was DP on the famous Blue Planet II project, a massive achievement that revealed to us all the world as you may not know. For two years, he worked exclusively on the acclaimed 2017, spending over 500 days in the field and filming an extraordinary range of marine life—from nudibranchs to sperm whales—in more than 20 global locations.

He’s worked with Bertie on a few projects, and one thing he shared was that Bertie knows exactly what he wants to capture.
Of course, when you are in the moment, decisions on what to video come organically and quick.
This is part of where the skill sets that Dan brings to the project are in full force.
Remember, he also is not in a shark cage!

He shoots with no lighting or filters, depending on natures gifts. And the colorists in post production!

Yes, I wanted to know about the gear he shoots with:

Basically, a Red Raptor body, with a full frame sensor.
It does allow him to shoot 8k and crop down to 5K
His favorite lens is the Canon 11mm-24mm, being wide keeping him super close to the action and to Bertie.
For the underwater housing , first choice is Nauticam  or a Gates Housing

When asked what his greatest fear on shoots is, without hesitation, he declared – it was getting lost. When you are in the ocean, landmarks and position perception get challenged
Only happened once, but that was plenty.

As we are now celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws, had to ask how it influenced him. Or not.
He is too young to have seen it when it came out, although we he did finally see it, he was inspired. Still was afraid to get in the tub!

I think he’s gotten over that!