Leviathan
If asked to name the symbol of the ocean that most epitomizes the creatures that inhabit it, I’m convinced that most people would cite the iconic fluke of the tail of a giant whale, lofted high above the surface of the water just before the giant creature dives back into the inky depths below. My […]
Air Jaws
I shot this image in 2001 in the heart of Seal Island’s prime predation zone, and very quickly the iconic shot climbed the tiers to become the world’s most famous shark photograph. With well over 500 covers, publications and high profile uses, there are few wildlife images that rival its impact. I remember the day […]
The Final Act
A shaft of light, a feathered angel, and a dappled stage … the scene once more is set. With two full strokes of its lunate tail, the super predator launches from one realm into the next. Like a shattered chandelier, water cascades all around, and for the most fabulous of moments I stare transfixed one […]
The Pearl
The Pearl Receives Prestigious Recognition from The BBC as one of 2020’s Most Striking Images. The Pearl has had quite a run this year since going viral in the launch of the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week Documentary “Air Jaws: Ultimate Breach Off”. From buildings in Times Square to thousands of online appearances the image certainly […]
The Pearl
“Pearls don’t lie on the seashore. If you want one, you must dive for it.” – (Chinese proverb) Ever since I took a wide-angle image of a great white shark breaching at Seal Island in 2008 titled ‘Essence of Seal Island’, I’ve searched for ways to surpass it, even though it is one of my […]
Carpe Diem
With the coming of the light comes the great predator who, from his dark watery world, knows that the crimson colours heralding the new dawn also herald a time to hunt. On many trips to Seal Island over the years, when scanning the seas whilstwe approached I was often lucky enough to see a massive […]
The Landlord
THE LANDLORD On the ocean floor, I am alone, which is how I like to be when I photograph super predators. I need all my senses to be sharp, with no distractions. Locked, loaded and ready at a moment’s notice to unload its full firepower, the Landlord has arrived: a large great white shark ominously […]
After The Fall, The Rise
Between 1900 and 1999 an estimated 2.9 million whales were killed for commercial purposes and in the late 1930’s, at the peak of industrial whaling, the tragic toll rose to more than 50 000 great whales being silenced per annum. During the 20th century more than 200 000 Humpback whales alone were killed just in the Southern […]
A Tail of Two Halves
“Blows …”, came the cry from the top of the mast head as the Donkergat whaleboat’s spotter alerted the harpoon gunner to the family of feeding humpback whales surfacing after a long dive. Fifty-five years later I am back in these self-same waters plied by whalers, where for near on sixty years, a crimson coloured […]
Dominus solus
The Lonely Lord of the sea, the great white shark, ‘Carcharodon carcharias’, swims silently and true, her senses bristling for motion, a heartbeat or sound that will guide her effortlessly to her prey. I once had a guest say to me that the great white does not swim through the water, but rather the water […]