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Nature Through the Lens - A Photographer's Journey
May 18 - September 21
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Brian Skerry on assignment, Ireland
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Who would think that plunging into a three-foot pool in Massachusetts with diving gear would change a teenager's life? But for Brian Skerry, whose exceptional underwater photography is on exhibit at the Visual Arts Center from May 18 to September 21, it was a transforming experience. The Massachusetts native remembers the sensation of breathing underwater through the regulator and even though the water was cold it was a magical adventure to see colorful fish, crabs, and sea anemones come to life. As strange as this underwater world seemed, it was one that would take him places beyond his wildest dreams.
Since his first diving experience Skerry has evolved into a world-renowned photographer. His photographs come alive and bring environmental awareness to the pages of National Geographic, People, Outdoor Life, and numerous others. His photographic assignments have taken him to many places such as New Zealand, Ireland, and the Caribbean. And while clicking away he has been lost at sea, nipped by a shark, and chased by a sperm whale.
Into Focus
By the age of 16, Skerry completed a diving certification and attended his first dive show in Boston. Sitting in the audience during an underwater photography presentation, vivid images of sharks, sea turtles, and other marine life captured his attention. "The notion of adventure and exploration that diving provided really appealed to me," said Skerry. "To me the photographers were the real heroes telling the stories, and photography would be my passport to adventure."
Shortly thereafter he purchased a used Nikon camera. He later attended Worchester State College to study media. There he learned about film, photojournalism, and TV production. And like many aspiring artists Skerry struggled with how to make a living through his creative work. Following a path of least resistance and financial security he took a job as a sale representative for Georgia Pacific selling packaging, yet continued to foster his love for photography, diving and taking photos of marine life in his free time.
His persistence and passion paid off. In 1998 he jumped at the opportunity to do an assignment for National Geographic. A friend and veteran photographer for National Geographic recommended him to the magazine to photograph a pirate shipwreck off the coast of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Researchers found the hull and treasure from the shipwreck, which had sunk back in 1717. Skerry remembers seeing the pages of National Geographic as a kid and being mesmerized by the images. This was a once in a lifetime chance and he dove in. Even though the dive was challenging with limited visibility, Skerry impressed National Geographic with his images and he became a regular photographer with the well-known magazine.
Shutter Speed
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Harpseal in Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence
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Graduating from shipwrecks to living treasures of the sea, Skerry acquired a passion for marine life when he had an opportunity to photograph sharks. His friend Wes Pratt, a shark biologist with the National Marine and Fisheries Service out of Rhode Island, invited him to expand his photography skills while face-to-face with blue sharks—inside the safety of a shark cage. But Skerry found taking photos behind the metal shark cage too limiting. To get a closer unobstructed view, he ventured outside the cage and found himself swimming uninhibited with a beautiful female blue shark. "The first moment I was out there with the shark on her own terms was wonderful," said Skerry. "It was a special moment and I was on cloud nine for a long time after that."
Skerry's scariest moment? Spending time in the Azures, trying to photograph sperm whales, when he spotted a mother and her calf heading his way. The calf came so close it brushed across his chest. Then another female sperm whale appeared, looming, at around 35 feet long, and she came closer and closer. With 15-to 20-feet between them, she rolled onto her side, opened her mouth, and made a clicking sound. Skerry backed up but the giant sperm whale pursued him. He quickly swam back to the boat with the sperm whale close behind. His thoughts about the close encounter? "If she wanted to attack me she could have, but she was most likely just trying to protect the other mother sperm whale and her calf," said Skerry.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Being so close to nature has put Skerry at an advantage to educate people on the importance of preserving marine life. "We need to protect places. Photos help do this by grabbing people's attention instantly," says Skerry. "I want to engage people with stories that celebrate nature and raise awareness." And with climate change, through his travels Skerry has witnessed the changes in marine life and habitat through the lens of his camera.
His photos bring to life the harsh reality of the depleted resources of many of our oceans and the marine life within as well as the abuse that takes place around the world. "Thirty years ago while shark diving I would see 20 or more sharks gather around within minutes; now it takes an entire day to see them," says Skerry. "We are losing a hundred million sharks a year to overharvesting." He presented one grim report about the global fish crisis when he appeared on Good Morning America in April 2007 with Diane Sawyer. He had spent three years researching and talking to scientists about the different ocean environments and marine life all over the globe. He photographed nets being placed in illegal areas catching baby fish, and longlines dangling with hooks for miles throughout the sea, and the massive killing of many of the shark species. "I learned that our oceans are in trouble and it's depressing but it's important that people know about these issues," says Skerry.
Bitten by the Photo Bug?
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Red pigfish and blue mao-mao, New Zealand.
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Skerry knows all too well that it takes a long time to get that picture-perfect photo, and patience is the key. "Animals don't perform so you have to spend lots of time waiting for the right light to catch the magic. Be persistent and determined." Other advice? "Come up with a plan for what type of photographer you want to be, whether it's stock photography, nature photography, underwater photography, etc." Skerry recommends that when first starting out, take pictures close to home, for example, while visiting your local sanctuary. As a child Skerry had a keen interest in birds and remembers taking bird walks in the 1970s with Strickland Wheelock, a volunteer bird bander and leader of the Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary Young Birders Club. "You have to be a storyteller to be a photojournalist," says Skerry. "Do something different and capture a moment that has not been seen before."
For more information about the underwater world of Brian Skerry visit his website at: www.brianskerry.com.
Download exhibit brochure. (PDF 27 KB)
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