Bucket list Expedition For Underwater Photographers...
For many underwater photographers, the annual Sardine Run in South Africa is the ultimate bucket-list adventure, and for good reason. It’s a breathtaking, chaotic, and unpredictable event that offers unparalleled opportunities for sardine run photography. Millions of sardines moving as one, forming a colossal bait ball that attracts a full cast of marine predators. From the lightning-fast attacks of common dolphins and the dramatic lunges of Bryde’s whales to the sleek, powerful presence of sharks, every moment is a chance to freeze a spectacular natural spectacle in time.
This isn’t just about documenting wildlife; it’s about telling a story of survival, a narrative of the ocean’s food chain in action. The sheer scale and dynamic action of the event make for a challenging yet incredibly rewarding photographic experience, solidifying its place as a pilgrimage for those who seek to capture the ocean’s most dramatic moments.
Tim Jenka - Getting The Shot
Despite his career as a spatial planner in Switzerland, Tim has always loved spending time outdoors as well as photography and his collection of work flows like a copy of National Geographic.
His adventures often take him everywhere from his ‘backyard’ exploring alpine trails, rafting, diving or to weeks of bush camping in Australia. This collection of interests led him to join an Arctic Freediving Orca expedition in 2018, where he met founder Jacques de Vos and what ensued was even more expeditions with Jacques in the Arctic.
The two became friends and Tim went on to join Jacques on expeditions around the world, including several in Norway as well as South Africa and Asia. With the eye on helping more as a guide, Tim also went on to receive formal training as a guide while gaining experience on these expeditions.
Jump to where we are now and you will find Tim helping out as a guide on Oceans Around Us expeditions…
Tim and Jacques in South Africa
Inspirational Photography
In the next series of photos, Tim shares some of his recent shots captured during the Sardine Run. These include underwater, topside, as well as aerial photos which offers just a small taste of what we see each season…
1.
“A dolphin rockets upward to snatch sardines against the glittering surface, a moment of pure predation and light…I positioned myself next to the bait ball and used a high shutter speed to catch the upward surge without motion blur. The dolphin was so close, that it almost brushed me going for the Sardine! It displays the fast paced action and frenzy encountered on the Sardine run.”
2.
” A dolphin bursts through the sunbeams, turning slightly to look at me with curiosity — I love how the light dances across its body, highlighting every curve and line of motion.
I took this while drifting just below the surface in ambient light, positioning myself where the sunlight cut through the waves, waiting for one of the dolphins to break formation and glide closer.
3.
“A gannet in the instant before impact, body folded into a perfect spear, wings swept back in aerodynamic violence. The precision is almost unnatural: evolution condensed into one frame…”
4.
“Every now and then, the ocean gives you a gift you weren’t even looking for. I had the drone up to scout the coastline when this manta appeared, gliding just beneath the surface like a shadow with wings. In the same season we had numerous encounters with Mantas like this one
From above, it looks less like a fish and more like a spacecraft — perfectly designed, silent, timeless. Moments like this remind me why I bring a drone: you see things our own eyes would miss from the waterline.”
5.
“A close pass of a humpback whale shows the power and grace of these giants as it moves just under the surface.
Captured with a Canon R5 and wide-angle lens in available light, the water’s reflections added a shimmering texture to the scene.”
6.
“A common dolphin lunges into a shimmering school of sardines, the raw speed and precision of the hunt frozen in the frame. I captured it bobbing around on the surface using a HSS controller, two strobes and a high shutter speed to freeze the chaos of the sardine run.”
7.
“A common dolphin bursts through the surface, water cascading off its streamlined body.
The photograph captures both the elegance and raw energy of the species, built for speed and play in the open ocean.”
8.
“A pod of bottlenose dolphins glides playfully over the sandy seabed, relaxed and curious in the shallows. We spent a good 20 minutes freediving and playing with them!
I shot this encounter while freediving off the boat near the beach, where no strobes were needed thanks to the clear light.”
9.
“From above, the sea becomes abstract — shifting greens and swirls of sand, with our little boat carving a clean white line across it. I like how it shows both the raw energy of the ocean and the sense of heading into adventure.
I flew the drone directly overhead, framing the boat small in the composition so the water itself became the subject as much as the people on board.”
10.
“A whole pod of dolphins sweeps past like a living river, their bodies catching the light as they move in perfect unison through the blue. It feels less like a single moment and more like being absorbed into their endless migration.
I took this by dropping into the water just ahead of the pod and holding position, letting the dolphins choose whether to pass close – this time they filled the frame in a flowing wall of motion.”
The video below was captured by Jacques de Vos on the same day and you can see Tim being surrounded by dolphins…
11.
“The moon hovers veiled above a furious sky, its pale light competing with the incandescent rage of a storm. A lightning bolt pierces the horizon, stitching ocean to heaven in a single luminous scar.”
12.
“Not your usual Sardine Run photo, but this was taken next to the boat between sessions with dolphins and sharks feeding. Proof that there is always something to see, even when it seems quiet!”
Join Us This Coming Season...
Catering to small groups, our goal is to give you an experience of a lifetime. With over a decade of experience on the Sardine Run, our local crew and hosts offers something truly unique on a pristine and quiet part of the Wild Coast.
Our guides (Tim and Jacques) not only offer you a safe and ethical experience, but can also offer you photography and video advice as things happen.
For more information, feel free to send us a message.
