In this image-driven episode of Pod Diver Radio, we dive deep into underwater photography with fine-art shooter and filmmaker Donald Tipton. If you're a photographer who loves sharks, black-and-white, or just learning how to "see" better underwater, this one's for you. Host Joe Cocozza kicks things off at Dosal Scuba Center in Middletown, NJ with operations manager and gear guru Bob Benson, introducing a new recurring segment, The Gear Bench—where Bob will break down life-support gear care and maintenance for serious divers and shooters who depend on their kit. Then we hand the mic to Donald for an extended masterclass on shark photography: Why understanding species-specific behavior (Caribbean reef sharks vs nurse sharks vs great whites) is the foundation of safe, compelling images. How pro shark wranglers at Stuart Cove's can "sculpt" an encounter with bait—controlling numbers, energy level, and positioning for both video and stills. Practical tips for lighting and composition in the blue: working fast, shooting almost intuitively, and setting exposure before the action starts. Why autofocus often fails in open-water shark scenes, and how to pre-set manual focus distances (3 ft, 5 ft, 10 ft) so you never miss the shot. The artistic power of black-and-white shark imagery—using ambient light + strobe to create graphic, monochrome portraits that really belong in B&W. Donald also previews his Stewart Cove five-day photo & video workshops with the Shark Research Institute, and talks about using digital workflows to craft dramatic black-and-white underwater images. Whether you're shooting DSLR, mirrorless, or video, this episode is packed with field-tested ideas to make your next shark dive look like a gallery show instead of a grab shot.