2 answers
Nancy
Student
Edgewater, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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What would be a good career path to focus on Marine Biology along with Photography ?
I am currently finishing up my associates. I am an Army Veteran just trying to find my way. I lobe marine life and learning everything I can. I have been interested for many years. I am also a photographer. I got my PADI Scuba certification for open water and currently working towards my advanced and Nitrox. I have been practicing my photography under water, and I am working towards a better underwater camera.
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2 answers
ALAN STAATS
Photographer
3
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
ALAN’s Answer
Hello Nancy - I'm glad to read that you are considering combining your two goals. Underwater photography is, simultaneously, one of the most beautiful expressions of the art and probably one of the more difficult fields to get experience in. After all, you're limited to however much air you're carrying on your back... not like street or studio photography where you can take your time without your subjects swimming off into the distance. I see, in many of the answers to questions like yours, many words about equipment, and outlets for one's work; what I have yet to see is an answer that defines how your viewers will see, and process, the imagery that you create. At an early part in my career, I taught photography, as a required part of a one-year Masters program, with a former Life Magazine photographer. One of the (optional) textbooks we recommended was "Art and Visual Perception." It's not an easy read, by any stretch, but if you get through it you will understand how the brain processes imagery, and how you can manipulate your images for greatest impact. I highly recommend it. If you stick with underwater photography, and get good at it, you'll be able to accomplish two important things: One, you'll be able to travel, on assignment, to some of the most beautiful places on Earth, and document what you see, and two, in documenting what you see and sharing those visions with viewers you'll be performing a great service to what may, or may not, be in danger of being lost forever. So, stick with it; practice as often as you can with your cameras. Get to know them, get to know what filters to use in both fresh and salt water. Look up the work of the masters; David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes, Becky Kagan Schott, Francois Baelen, to name a few... not to copy their styles, but to see what they've done and how they did it. As I said, stick with it, be serious and know your goals and work hard to accomplish them. I envy the future you can build. Me? I'm just an old war horse who loves what I do, and I'm pretty good at it... or so they say. My website is www.alanstaats.com. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the advice.
Nancy
Hank Church, CKM, CKMP
Photographer
1
Answer
Gig Harbor, Washington
Updated
Hank’s Answer
Focusing on what you already have going for you: 1) Love of the subject of your photography. 2) Locale - Florida has some great opportunities for capturing marine life. 3) Diving certifications. 4) General "committed" attitude.
Keep honing your underwater photography skills. Learn all about the camera you're using as well as the editing software you like. EXPERIMENT! Find a niche.
Create a website where you can show your work. I use Zenfolio, but there are plenty others to look at.
Get experience: Work as a research assistant, marine surveyor, or intern at marine biology organizations. Put together a portfolio that presents galleries based on different subjects. For example, one gallery about coral reefs, one about marine animals, and one about marine conservation.
Join local Marine Photography groups as well as those online (with members all over the world). Never presume to know it all. You can always learn from others.
As far as future careers, here are some I can think of right how:
1. Conservation Photographer - Work with environmental organizations, NGOs, or wildlife reserves to document marine ecosystems and highlight conservation issues (Ocean Conservancy or National Geographic).
2. Science Communicator or Teacher/Educator - Use photography to simplify and communicate complex marine biology topics to the public through museums, aquariums, and digital platforms.
3. Underwater Wildlife Photographer
5. Research and Imaging Specialist - partner with research teams to provide high-quality imagery of marine life for scientific studies or journals.
6. Eco-Tourism and Expeditions - Lead eco-tours or underwater photography workshops, educating participants while showcasing marine life.
Keep honing your underwater photography skills. Learn all about the camera you're using as well as the editing software you like. EXPERIMENT! Find a niche.
Create a website where you can show your work. I use Zenfolio, but there are plenty others to look at.
Get experience: Work as a research assistant, marine surveyor, or intern at marine biology organizations. Put together a portfolio that presents galleries based on different subjects. For example, one gallery about coral reefs, one about marine animals, and one about marine conservation.
Join local Marine Photography groups as well as those online (with members all over the world). Never presume to know it all. You can always learn from others.
As far as future careers, here are some I can think of right how:
1. Conservation Photographer - Work with environmental organizations, NGOs, or wildlife reserves to document marine ecosystems and highlight conservation issues (Ocean Conservancy or National Geographic).
2. Science Communicator or Teacher/Educator - Use photography to simplify and communicate complex marine biology topics to the public through museums, aquariums, and digital platforms.
3. Underwater Wildlife Photographer
5. Research and Imaging Specialist - partner with research teams to provide high-quality imagery of marine life for scientific studies or journals.
6. Eco-Tourism and Expeditions - Lead eco-tours or underwater photography workshops, educating participants while showcasing marine life.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Nancy