Having just returned from witnessing one of nature’s most amazing spectacles, I haven’t had the time to go through all of the images yet – I’ve been busy pinching myself to see if I was actually dreaming. All I can say is that it was mind blowing. I am still glowing from the experience. The Sardine Run is the largest species migration on earth, taking part on the Wild Coast of South Africa each June/July. I’ll be leading expeditions again in 2010 (sold out) and 2011 (For underwater photographers who wish to join me click here). We’ll be posting a complete story and images on DivePhotoGuide.com, but for now here are some preliminary images that will hopefully blow your mind as much as the experience blew mine. Enjoy!
This is just the tip of the iceberg. More to follow.
Update: I posted a small second set of images here.
Jason Heller Photography Blog 
OMG – I need to save up money so I can join you on your next trip. Those photos are just amazing!
Hey Jason looks just like the Hudson River…….
Not
How awesome those pictures are. Can’t wait to see more. I wish I knew how to do underwater photography, but I’ll just live vicariously through you. Are the dolphins wrangling the fish to feed like whales use bubble rings?
Jason
Absolutely amazing and beautiful! So much action at once, what an adrenaline rush!
Fantastic shots!! Cant wait to see the rest!
dude!
so jealous. wonderful shots. dang, you!!!
cheers, ty
WOW, cant wait to go next year vz
Thanks guys! It was a surreal experience.
@anneroo – yes the dolphins basicaly bring the sardines to the surface in a fairly organized fashion. They make the run what it is (well the predatory part).
wow! this is really amazing and its what i would like to do …what camera are you using for doing this? congrats for the great photos.
And it keeps getting better, altough hopefully next year you’ll bring a model..hint hint!
AMAZING!!!!! so jealous… can’t wait to see more shots and hear about it!
@wendy – that would have been just too perfect!
Amazing, Jason. Really, really amazing! We didn’t have nearly this much action, but had a fabulous time despite the lack of fishiness. There’s a special spirit around the Sardine Run. I can’t wait to the rest of the pictures!
Amazing is all I can say! Really proud of you bro. Good to see you live out your dreams and fantasies. Maybe one day I’ll join you on one of your great adventures!
P.S. Keep it up the world needs to see through your lense the beautiful things we take for granted! Great pics!!!
Well done Jason, it looks great.
Some of the best you have done on run and gun shooting which is never easy…
Wow…Stellar. Those bronze whalers are stunning, great timing. You can almost hear the energy of the bait ball.
MB
Great pictures. Makes me want to be 30 years younger
Uncle
Great photos… can’t wait to see more of these…
-Ken
Incredible photos, Jason!! It’s an adventure I’ve always wanted to experience, and your photos really take me there! Thank you for posting and I can’t wait to see more!
– Mary Lynn
WOW… those photographs are amazing. Hard to believe it’s for real. Glad to have an opportunity to see such wonders through your eyes. Wish your dad was around to see what beautiful work you do he may have even joined you.
First blog comment from mom..an honor and a new era 🙂
Thanks that means a lot.
Really nice work Jason – will be waiting for the follow up
Beautiful pictures Jason, well done. Hopefully will be getting the RED Cam in on this in a year or so. Did you get to see Brydes Whales feeding also? Can’t wait to see more pics.
Cheers mate,
Mark.
Amazing images.
WOW!!!!!!! Jason,
Your photos are amazing!!!!!!!! I look forward to joining you on one of your next trips at the S Run! Your photos take my breath away!!!
Oceans of sea turtles,
Terri
WOW! Congrats on your amazing images, Jason… well done! I was already keen to experience the sardine run, but your photos have me chomping at the bit!
Best,
Mark
Thanks for the kind words everyone Definitely an experience I am looking forward to doing again next year!
Awesome shooting Jason
Amazing life experience
Jason,
Stunning images.
I saw a post by Eric Cheng a few days ago (his usual 10 word brevity) speaking to the quality of his friend’s recent Sardine Run photos. Guess that was you and company.
Truly stunning.
That was the best diving experience I have ever had and will ever do!!! Looking at these amazing pictures made me relive this unbeleivable adventure!! I am emotional (if you haven’t noticed)!!! Jason, many thanks again for organising this trip!!!
Karim it was so great to have you and Marcela on the trip. I really look forward to diving together again soon! Also please let us know when you plan to be in NYC!
Impresionante!!!! Congratulations! they are incredible. I am happy you had such a great trip!
Incredible photography, Jason. You should be proud. The sardine run is something I’ve dreamed of doing and from your pictures, I need to seriously consider joining you.
awesome awesome awesome. Amazing capture you have here.
Congratulation, lucky boy!!! The shoot “the boat with the bird” – just supper composition. Dreaming to order this in frame with yours singanure. Let me know if I have enouph cash for this/ With love from Moscow / Next Surdine Run fun – Andrey Bizyukin/ Thank you the spirituality
Hey Andrey – thanks. Would be more than happy. Email me directly.
HEY YOU PHOTO SLINGER
YOUR MOM EVEN HAD SOMETHING TO SAY , WELL I THOUGHT I’D JOIN HER IN CONGRATULAING YOU ON SOME EPIC SHOTS , GLAD I WAS THERE .
CHEERS
WALTER
Walter – you are da man! (and maybe part shark?) Thanks for getting us to the action. For those reading these comments – Walter is one of the pioneers of diving the Sardine Run and I wouldn’t go with anyone else. He also pioneered the Tiger shark and Raggie diving in Aliwal Shoals. I highly recommend his company African Watersports for any of these. Walter you rock dude!
Amazing images.
Hey Jason – Your photos are some of the best I’ve seen from the sardine run…awesome shots. I’ve been on the run twice with Walter and I agree with you 100%, he is THE BEST!!! Have you done the tigers with him yet? That’s also a mind blowing dive. May see you on the Wild Coast next year!
That’s a good typo in the above comment! It’s sarah!
[…] Ode To Sharkiness 22 07 2009 Thanks to everyone who added so many wonderful comments to my initial post of Sardine Run underwater images! I promised more, so here are a handful of shark-specific themed images. The final shot is our […]
Second set of images posted “An Ode To Sharkiness”:
https://blog.jasonheller.com/2009/07/22/more-images-from-the-sardine-run-an-ode-to-sharkiness/
Jason, these photos are amazing! Very inspirational!
Best,
Meredith
HEY JASON
HEY THANKS FOR THE COOL COMMENT’S . I CAN ONLY POINT THE WAY – YOU GUYS HAVE GOT TO TAKE THE SHOTS AND WE WANT MORE !!!
i randomly found your blog. your photos are so beautiful!
batya
[…] website at [ Jason Heller ] however the “Sardine Run” pics can be viewed at [ Blowing Your Mind — The Sardine Run: First Shots! ] And my personal favourites…. [ Underwater Shots […]
These are still my favourite shark pictures ever, they almost look like paintings (I don’t know if this is because of the subject distance but they have a dreamlike quality to them) The sardine run goes on my bucket list. Jason, these photos will be hard to beat for anyone!
Cheers,
Simon
[…] While I didn’t yet experience the epic level activity from last year (check out these posts: sardine run 1, sardine run 2, sardine run 3), it’s been active, albeit in limited visibility water. I have […]