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Epic Capture: Amazing Billfish and Offshore Photos

Ace Photographer Pat Ford shares some of the best blue-water shots from his recent travels.

November 12, 2014
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I’d much rather take photos of billfish than catch one, but I think that catching them is actually easier. First, whoever is fishing has to hook one. Then it has to jump close to the boat, be down-sun and be sideways so it doesn’t look like a needle. Photos and captions by Pat Ford Pat Ford
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If the fishing works, you still need to be able to use your camera. I use a 70-200 mm lens most of the time and have a second camera with a 24-105 mm lens for the close-up shots. I use aperture priority set at f/8 with an ISO of 400. The camera then sets the shutter speed, which needs to be 1/1000 or faster. Photo by Pat Ford Pat Ford
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Whenever you’re billfishing, keep your eyes open and your camera ready — there’s lots of neat stuff going on around you all the time. Don’t just wait for jump shots, and don’t get depressed if most don’t turn out. Delete all the bad ones -— only show off the best, and everyone will think you’re a pro. Photo by Pat Ford Pat Ford
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The last few years, I’ve started taking underwater photos, which is great fun. One of the best times I’ve ever had was swimming with sailfish balling bait in Isla Mujeres. I use a Sony mirrorless camera and a Nauticam housing. Photo by Pat Ford Pat Ford
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