Todd Gustafson grew up in Tanzania and has been leading safaris to east Africa for 20 years. Todd has been the “on screen expert” for two National Geographic Great Migration television specials. His images are used in publications and displays in places like the Lincoln Park Zoo, Smithsonian, The Discovery Channel, and beyond. Todd has winning images in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Nature’s Best. He is currently in production of a PBS television documentary series To the Ends of the Earth with an episode "To the Ends of the Earth: Oceans" which explores the beauty of coral reefs and what we are in danger of losing. For his underwater images, Todd uses the Canon R5 with video lights.
Skunk Clowns and Indian Bulb Anemone. This one was high on the shots list for the documentary “To the Ends of the Earth: Oceans.” The symbiotic relationship between clowns and anemone is simply balletic. 100mm 2.8 Macro lens © Todd Gustafson
Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Maldives Islands. I love the shallow lagoons of the Maldives. I also love the body angle of this turtle as he surfaces to breathe. 8-15mm 2.8 lens © Todd Gustafson
Giant Manta, Maldives Islands. The Maldives are great for big sea creatures. Mantas were 40 feet down and since I don’t dive, I did a free dive to 35 feet to get less water between the Manta and the lens. Then I thought, “Where exactly is the surface?!?!” 8-15mm 2.8 lens © Todd Gustafson
Giant Clam, Maldives Islands. The colors are different in each clam. I especially like the green tunicates under the lower lip! 100mm 2.8 Macro lens © Todd Gustafson
Whale Shark, Maldives Islands. I went to the Maldives especially to film whale sharks so most of my output is on video. I did take time to photograph, as well. 8-15mm 2.8 lens © Todd Gustafson
Anemone Crab, Maldives Islands. What a beautiful home for this crab! I love the colors of the hard sponges that surround him. 100mm 2.8 Macro lens © Todd Gustafson
Giant Southern Stingray, Grand Cayman. As with photography on land I find it important to get eye level with the subject for the most impactful photos. Here I was trying to get space between the ray and the white sand. 8-15mm 2.8 lens © Todd Gustafson
Plate Corals, Maldives Islands. The chocolate and yellow spiral of this plate coral caught my eye. 8-15mm 2.8 lens © Todd Gustafson
Table Corals, Maldives Islands. This is the most beautiful reef I have been on. Table corals as far as you could see and a soft current to guide me through. 8-15mm 2.8 lens © Todd Gustafson
Cuttlefish, Grand Cayman. They look like space ships from an alien world. They were fun to swim with and film as they changed colors every second. 8-15mm 2.8 lens © Todd Gustafson
Starfish and Anemone, Maldives Islands. There’s something primal about the light, colors, and shape of this photo. I felt like I was peering into another world. 100mm 2.8 Macro lens © Todd Gustafson
Todd Gustafson is a photographer and conservationist with multiple awards and publications under his belt. He is currently working on a project with PBS and continues to lead safaris in addition to heading up a number of different conservation films. To learn more about Todd's production To the Ends of the Earth click here. For safari information please visit Todd's website. You can also follow his work on Instagram @gustafson_photo_safari.
Additional Reading
Sharp Shooting: Developing Underwater Photography Skills on Safari
Was It Worth It? Gary Burns on Upgrading to the Canon R5 [Video]
Cuttlefish Underwater Camera Settings and Technique
