Fun pictures in the pool

This week I introduced a new portrait service creating portraits of kids, families, and dogs in the pool and ocean. In these hard economic times I needed to find a way to draw attention to my company to generate new business. After considering all kinds of ideas it occurred to do to what I am passionate about which is scuba diving, underwater water photography, my family and dogs. Thats how the idea of making portraits of kids, families and dogs in the pool evolved. Time will tell it if its a good idea.

new resort in Maui features 300 black and white marine images

This week our team installed 300 black and white marine themes photographs into the suites of the Honua Kai Resort in Kaanapali, Maui. Eight images featuring local marine life were selected and printed in various sizes to complement the décor of each suite type. The scope of the project involved an incredible amount of logistics and planning and included image selection, printing, mounting, matting, framing, and installation. From inception to completion the project took a year.



As a marine photographer it is an honor to have a collection of my work in such a nice resort.

comments from client on last Tonga trip

I just received these comments from Mark Strickland, regarding our recent Whale Expedition in Sept/October 08.

Thanks Mark!


--------

I recently returned from my third dedicated whale photography expedition with Douglas Hoffman, and couldn’t be more pleased. There is always an element of luck involved with such endeavors, and we enjoyed some very good fortune on this trip. More important, though, are factors that only come together through the efforts of a capable group leader: thorough planning, attention to detail, and a flexible, conscientious attitude that is invaluable in remote locales. As always, Doug sought out the most experienced captains and operators, and generally made sure things ran smoothly, often in spite of considerable difficulties. He also offered valuable insight on whale behavior and photographic techniques, and invariably treated his guests fairly and respectfully. I think everyone who participated in this trip would agree: Doug is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to travel with… I recommend any of his expeditions highly.

Sincerely,

Mark Strickland
Marine Photographer

Advantages of seeing how to take a picture underwater

I recently did a 2 day work shop on the basics of underwater photogrpahy. I covered metering, flash, and composition but buoyancy skills were stressed the most. As divers, we are working in an alien world and we need to respect it. As photographers we are good will ambassadors to the sea and need to do everything possible to avoid contact with the reef, stir up sediment on the bottom, break coral, touch or move marine life, etc. As divers we need to use our underwater knowledge to make better photographs.

For example, if working in a current, its wise to set up your exposure, adjust your flash and prepare to take the image a bit up current so your all set when you float by and are able to get the shot. Stopping in the current means you will have to swim hard and or grab coral. This will in most cases damage the reef, and disturb water clarity making you unpopular among the other divers.

For me the best part of the class was demonstrating how I would take a picture in current, on sand, in the reef, and in the water column. After showing each diver how I would do it, each one had the opportunity to practice. On one of the dives there was a bit of current and each diver could feel it and had to struggle to get set up in order to be in position at the right time. After the dives the students remarks indicated they understood how important it is to manage the current and ones buoyancy to take the photograph without damaging the environment.

The clinic was a lot of fun, and prepared Georgia and Jim for a two week dive holiday. I just got a letter from them telling me about the trip and how they were able to manage their buoyancy and concentrate on composition. Best of all they had a blast and cant wait till the next dive trip.

Had a great time in Tonga

Having just returned from Tonga, I am already planning the next trip. I will be going back for a fourth season. Words are hard to find that aptly describe the feelings experienced when snorkeling with whales. Having led several small groups to swim with whales, I get to witness and hear peoples excitement, so one would think I could describe the feeling. The truth is its hard to put into words how a person can feel so alive and at the same time awes struck and humbled. It really is an amazing experience.

Swimming with Sperm Whales & Dolphins

I have gotten involved with the whale Dolphin Conservation Society, and recently went to the Azores to photograph Sperm Whales and Dolphins for a book project. Cherllye Millard Dawe was in charge of the project and working with us was Bruce Watkins and Aqua Acores a Pico based whale and dolphin watching company. Our goal was to capture animals in the environment without changing their behavior. The weather was a bit difficult as we had plenty of rain, wind, and wave action, but over the course of 2 weeks, we were able to create some nice images.

Azores and Tonga

Next week I am traveling to the Azores, a group of islands off of Portugal to contribute to a book sponsored by the Whale Dolphin Conservation Society. I am looking forward to the experience and making new friends. From Pico, I will travel to Tonga. The flight will take over 38 hours, not to mention 44 hours of lay overs in Boston, LA, Nadi, and Tongatapu. Once in Vavau, I will lead a small group of photographers on an expedition to swim with and photograph Humpback Whales.

The goal of our trip is to create images of humpbacks without changing their behavior. We will not motor up in a boat and drop in on the whales. Instead we will watch, and observe their behavior. When appropriate, enter the water and float near them. Previous trips taught me that whales are curious and will swim by us to get a look.

Diving to Mozart

Recently I had the chance to dive with Daniel Opitz, the producer of a film called the Humpback Code. Danny uses a rebreather and it was incredible to see a diver without bubbles. The fish were not afraid and let him get quite close. While that was great to see, what made the dive really interesting was Danny likes to listen to music while diving. So, before we descended he lowered a speaker system into the water and turned on his ipod. As we were diving on the wreck of a replica whaling boat that used to be a floating museum, it seemed appropriate that the music was Mozart. I was 90 feet deep and could hear the music well. The music was also heard by an Atlantis Submarine full of tourists. The pilot could not believe what he heard and made two passes. The whole dive was surreal and one I am not likely to forget.

Whale Quest 2008

In February of 2008, the third annual Whale Quest symposium was held in Kapalua, Maui Hawaii. It was a three-day event organized by Whale Trust and sponsored by National Geographic.

Each day the worlds best nature photographers, movie -makers and researchers gathered to share information, network, debut films, and talk about whales. The event was open to the public, and more than 1000 people attended.

This was my second year participating as an artist, and it was an honor to display my B&W edition of whale portraits in front of the lecture hall and to donate $1,000 to Whale Trust. This NPO does a lot of good, and is run by people who are passionate about what they do.


During the event, I had the chance to hang out with marine photographers Flip Nicklan, Chuck Nicklan, David Doubilet, Paul Nicklan, & Doug Perrine. It was fun sharing stories, and talking about underwater photography.




All the presentations were well attended and informative. Two of them however blew my mind. One was a movie that showed sperm whales taking fish of long line fishing boats, and another was a slide show of the seals in Antarctica hunting penguins.

I would say that this years event was a success, and that a lot of earning took place and money was raised to continue current and start new research projects.

I hope to be invited back next year!

To view a sampling of my fine art whale portraits, click here

Swimming with Humpback Whales

Getting in and out of the water is very important. There are many ways to slide into the water slowly and smoothly creating as little noise and disruption as possible. What works for me is to sit on the side of the boat and lower myself in the water. I tend to favor facing the boat using one hand to support me and then glide into the water.

Once wet, I reach up and grab the camera from the captain, and move off to make room for others to get in or the boat to move away. While in the water, stay as quiet as possible. Big fin kicks that break the surface and create wake are bad and will ruin an encounter. Depending upon style of fin, it might be wise to swim side-ways to keep fin tips underwater.

When swimming always stay together in a group and travel in a parallel course to the whale, and not strait at it. Do not break up and approach whales from opposite sides. Imagine how you would feel if an animal the size of a bus came at you and you d id not know its intentions. The bottom line is that we have to be respectful and patient.

More often than not I have found success by simply floating in the proximity of the whales. There is no doubt that the whales are aware of our presence, so if we stay nearby, but don’t approach it lets the whale relax, but it also awakens the whales curiosity. That’s when good things happen.

Whales are wild animals, and have free will. They can swim wherever they want, as well as dive whenever they want. Please respect them at all times,