A group of divers come face-to-face with a school of deadly sharks, risking death or serious injury if one of the predators decides to strike.
The freedivers – Carlos Estrabeau, 28, and 29-year-old Ocean Ramsey – got up close and personal with a variety of species including a Caribbean reef, lemon, nurse and tiger sharks.
These images were taken by photographer Raul Boesel Jr who admits that these encounters can be worryingly unpredictable.
He pointed to theories that sharks can sense fear by detecting electrical impulses given off by a diver’s accelerated heartbeat, but said it was the adrenaline rush that drew him into such dangerous environments.
Jaws-dropping: A free diver is surrounded by a school of sharks in the waters off West End in the Bahamas in pictures taken by Brazilian photographer Raul Boesel Jr
Fear factor: Mr Boesel says there are theories that a diver’s racing heart could put them in danger because the sharks can detect the electrical impulses from the body
Facing danger: Mr Boesel says his adrenaline keeps him sharp underwater, but some divers rely on being relaxed because they believe the sharks can sense their fear
Mr Boesel Jr from Curitiba, Brazil, travelled to West End in the Bahamas to capture images of the giant sharks.
The 29-year-old said: ‘When I’m photographing sharks, I only have so much control of the space between myself and them.
‘You have no control over distance if they want to approach you. Sometimes, the shark can be just inches away from the lens.
The brave photographer admits feeling scared when the predators circled around him and his two friends.
Up close and personal: The freedivers do not use any equipment to help them breathe underwater which allows for a more natural dive
In touch with nature: The divers – Carlos Estrabeau, 28, and 29-year-old Ocean Ramsey – came perilously close to the sharks on their trip to the Bahamas
‘Well aware of their capabilities as predators’: The divers swam with a variety of sharks including a Caribbean reef, lemon, nurse and tiger shark
He added: ‘People ask me “How are you not scared of the sharks?” Of course I’m scared – I’m well aware of their capabilities as predators.
‘The adrenaline you get keeps you sharp underwater. Some people rely on being very relaxed.
‘This slows their heart down to give them a longer dive and they also feel the sharks can sense the electrical impulses given off by the human body.
‘There are theories that an accelerated heart beat can induce different behaviours from certain sharks, maybe even putting you in danger.
‘I like having the adrenaline; it keeps me on my toes. The day I don’t feel that rush, I’ll probably stop diving with sharks.’
Mr Boesel Jr said: ‘You feel all kinds of emotions when diving with these beautiful animals. They range from happiness, euphoria, anxiety and fear
He’s behind you: One of the divers swims right over the back of one of the sharks in these pictures by photographer Raul Boesel Jr
Predators: Mr Boesel noted that ‘sharks are opportunistic animals by nature, so they will test you if they feel like you may be a source of food’
The freedivers do not use any equipment to help them breathe underwater which allows them to hold their breath for a more natural dive.
Mr Boesel Jr added: ‘You feel all kinds of emotions when diving with these beautiful animals. They range from happiness, euphoria, anxiety and fear.
‘I try to box up all those emotions and hide them somewhere deep inside as you don’t want the sharks to know what cards you’re holding.
‘If you show fear, they associate fear with weakness and weakness with opportunity.
‘They are opportunistic animals by nature, so they will test you if they feel like you may be a source of food.
‘I believe using breath-hold diving as a technique to photograph them is the best way to show the animal in its most natural state.’