Old School

"Nature has an uncanny way of presenting us with unexpected and beautiful moments. Moments that are impossible to plan or choreograph. The image you see here is a testament to one such serendipitous encounter. While embarking on a freedive along this magnificent wall, we were graced by an unexpected visit from a school of horse-eye jacks. In my years of immersing myself in the underwater world, I've observed that fish often exhibit a particular behavior when a diver approaches. They tend to swim towards and encircle the diver if they maintain a safe distance. However, when the diver swims directly into the school, the response is quite different. The freediver gracefully ascended from her exploratory dive to the coral reef and the school of jacks decided to follow her, rising up towards the surface. This enchanting spectacle unfolded before us in a matter of moments, catching us by surprise. With little time to spare, I instinctively pointed my camera toward her, hastily pressing my finger down on the shutter button. The result, as you can see, is a breathtaking testament to the unpredictability and splendor of nature's gifts."