Surf and Marine Life Photographer Hunts with His Camera

• The Ocean Provides an Infinite Backdrop for Everything from Great Whites to Surf Pros

BY ANNE SOBLE

As local environmentalists and recreation and commercial fishing interests grapple with how to best protect the marine inhabitants of local waters, someone who spends much of his time in those waters armed with cameras and other photographic equipment says there is no substitute for protection and education if Malibu’s marine environment is to thrive.
Dave Ogle, who obtained a master’s degree in educational psychology from Pepperdine while responding to a personal marine mammal spirit nurtured by growing up in an outdoor and ocean oriented family, describes himself as “an extreme photographer, videographer, cinematographer and thrill seeker.”
While doing a commissioned shoot several weeks ago, he hovered a few feet above a 13-to-15 foot great white shark off the Malibu coast in a helicopter and took a photograph of the sleek predator that ricochetted around the world in less than 24 hours.
Ogle says that he has been an avid fisher since childhood, but stresses that his fishing is done in healthy waters with large fish populations capable of well balanced replenishment.
Ogle says that there really should be no warfare between the environmental and the recreational fishing communities as they both want the same healthy ocean waters. Both groups want thriving fish populations, he said, adding that recreationists have to realize that protected waters will reward everyone in the long run.
Pristine water is also necessary for surfing, which is another of Ogle’s passions. He has photographed 40- and 50-foot waves in Hawaii and Mexico, saying, “I’m fearless when I jump in the water.”
Armed with his special underwater gear, Ogle specializes in shooting private footage of surfers on every level. In his documentary filmmaking mode, he has travelled the world for film and television productions.
Ogle said he is currently heading for post production on a documentary about the iconic local surfer Alan Sarlo, with a pre-screening expected within the next few weeks, possibly at an event to take place on the Malibu Pier.
Of the local great white shark whose photo made headlines on every continent, Ogle said that whites and other endangered species depend on humans for their survival. Thousands of whites are needlessly slaughtered every year. Policies that encourage public education and enforce the protection that these animals need are critical if the species are to survive.
Of his personal transition from the bright-eyed child posing proudly for a photo with a freshly caught thresher shark to the person who still relishes a battle with an edible denizen of the deep but won’t harm anything endangered, Ogle says, “Now I only shoot with a camera.”
Photos of whites in particular are important to demystifing and dedemonizing animals that are classic examples of the natural selection and balancing process that, except where impeded by human interference, has been self-sustaining for millennia.