
Iconic Underwater Images, Can you name them?
#1
Posted 06 February 2013 - 06:48 PM
I’m putting together a talk for the LAUPS for April and in it I mention the iconic photographs we’ve seen. I got to wondering which images people here feel are really at that level. The absolute best of the best, there may only be twenty or even fewer ever made. When you think of the most memorable underwater photo you have ever seen, which ones come to mind?
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#2
Posted 06 February 2013 - 08:39 PM
Edited by Tom_Kline, 06 February 2013 - 08:49 PM.
Thomas C. Kline, Jr., Ph. D.
Oceanography & Limnology
Currently used housed digital cameras: Canon EOS-1Ds MkIII, EOS-1D MkIV, and EOS-1DX; and Nikon D3X. More or less retired: Canon EOS-1Ds MkII; and Nikon D1X, D2X, and D2H.
Lens focal lengths ranging from 8 to 200mm for UW use. Seacam housings and remote control gear. Seacam 60D, 150D, and 250D, Sea&Sea YS250, and Inon Z220 strobes.
#3
Posted 06 February 2013 - 09:38 PM
Edited by Kevster, 06 February 2013 - 09:39 PM.
#4
Posted 06 February 2013 - 10:36 PM
Two pix by Louis Boutan come to mind; his self portraits in diver dress and in a swimming suit.
Thanks Tom, a quick google search found this article on Mr Boutan.
I have to admit that I was not very knowledgable of his contribution, I'm really glad now that I ask the question.
Kevster, that is the first image that comes to my mind too. It's Brian Skerry's image of his assistant and a southern Right whale. That one is very special.
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#5
Posted 07 February 2013 - 04:30 AM
I always like to put a shout out for my buddy Mauricio Handler, the 'assistant' in the image. He never gets any credit. A great photographer in his own right, and responsible for helping set up any number of the great Skerry and Doubilet imagesKevster, that is the first image that comes to my mind too. It's Brian Skerry's imageof his assistant and a southern Right whale. That one is very special.
Steve
#6
Posted 07 February 2013 - 04:50 AM
Glad to see you back in to business !
As iconic images that came to my mind:
Sharks feeding on sardines that won the BWPOY some years ago by Doug Perrine
Winged angel - b&w photo of a sealion by Ernest Brooks III
Splitshot of a stingray and sailboat at Caymans by Doubilet
The leopard seal gaping mouth by Paul Nicklen
Graywhale with kelps at surface ( although not u/w ) by Howard Hall
The southern right whale by Brian Skerry with Mauricio Handler standing in the front
Barracuda school circling a diver by Doubilet
Two tiger sharks at sunset by Doug Perrine
Hope that helps
Regards
JA
#7
Posted 07 February 2013 - 07:07 AM
As for iconic images, they are too numerous. Lists should include pioneering work done by Luis Marden, Bates Littlehales and a host of others from all over the world.
www.sub-images.com
#8
Posted 07 February 2013 - 08:04 AM
One such image was taken by Flip Schulke who passed in 2008 at age 77. Schulke was best known for his civil rights photography but was also one of the pioneers of underwater photography. Schulke's book Underwater Photography for Everyone, first edition 1979 along with the Jim and Cathy Church books were the bibles for aspiring underwater photographers at the time.
Schulke worked for NASA photographing astronaut pool training for national and international magazines, was the first to photograph an orca in captivity and developed several custom W/A lenses.
The most iconic of Flip Schulke's photographs was of one of the most iconic athletes of our time, Muhammad Ali. At the time the photo was taken Ali, born Cassius Clay was 19 years old and still called Clay. The story of how he tricked Schulke into taking the photo to get it published in LIFE magazine is well worth reading. I have attached a link to the photo and story, see if you recall this iconic image.
Phil Rudin
http://pictureyear.b...5/greatest.html
#9
Posted 07 February 2013 - 10:01 AM
- DiverPam likes this
www.sub-images.com
#10
Posted 07 February 2013 - 03:17 PM
I agree with Phil. Flip Schulke, Douglas Faulkner, Gerry Greenberg, Bates Littlehales, Bill Curtsigner and many others including David Doubilet, probably the best known one these days were pioneers and David is still pushing the envelope on a daily basis. Jim & Cathy Church taught us underwater photography, especially those like me who were living in remote "foreign" places where scuba divers were so few... let alone u/w photographers. They set the wheel in motion and inspired generations. All those who followed in their footsteps benefited from their innovative techniques or unique look on the u/w realm. Some tools may have seem primitive compared to contemporary imaging computers we carry in our housings. in the end, the only thing that matters, to paraphrase DD's book title: Water, Light, Time. Maybe Wetpixel could start a virtual gallery of iconic images... and the story behind them... food for thought.
Michel - I really like your idea of a gallery of iconic images over the life of UW photography on wetpixel and their stories. And maybe even why we think they are iconic.
Let us know what you come up with Steve. Don't forget to consider images you consider iconic and why. - DiverPam
- scuba_d likes this
Nikon D7100 and D90 in Aquatica Housing, Tokina 10-17mm, 60mm macro, 105mm macro, Sigma 17-70mm, + Ikelite DS 161 and DS-125 strobe combo http://www.pmurph.com www.flickr.com/photos/pammurph/ The Fin Foundation
#11
Posted 09 February 2013 - 04:53 AM
The term Iconic photograph may be confusing. Lots of folks here on Wetpixel had a conversation on this thread a couple of years ago about what makes photos special. We made up some terms to rank images from snap shots to world class best of the best ever and came up with this chart as one way to talk about them. "Good" photos are a big step above normal snapshots and are not easy to make. Dive magazines are filled with Good photos. "Admired images are the ones we see winning competitions. They are those special images that make other underwater photographers go Wow! The special class of images we termed "Amazing" is reserved for those very special images that connect emotionally and tell stories. Bruce Yates Cheshire cat grin shark image that won the the Oceans category of Nature’s Best Photography is a good example. I don't want to get too hung up on the terminology. Is Awesome better than Astounding? Is Epic better than Amazing? It's the quality of the images that I'm interested in and what makes them special.

The idea was to start to think about what makes great images great. It’s clearly more than luck. Thinking about photos this way which Iconic images come to mind?
If you ask people who aren't underwater photographers to name an outstanding underwater image that affected them personally which ones do you think would be on the list?
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#12
Posted 09 February 2013 - 05:02 AM
Cheers,
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#13
Posted 09 February 2013 - 07:33 AM
www.sub-images.com
#14
Posted 10 February 2013 - 11:53 AM
... and the suggestions are rather North American.
I have found a number of Alex Mustard's http://www.amustard.com/ images inspiring, and, yes, iconic. He's particularly alert to the possibilities of digital photography, and has a distinctive style that isn't influenced by the National Geographic house style that's influenced so many.
Here he is, hiding behind some dolphins:

#15
Posted 10 February 2013 - 02:40 PM
- scuba_d likes this
www.sub-images.com
#16
Posted 10 February 2013 - 06:58 PM
Let's try again; Jose has listed some of his special images. He lives in North America so it's not a surprise that's his vision has that perspective. How is the list of special images different for our members and friends in other parts of the world? I'd really like to know. What do you believe are the best underwater photographs ever made?
Michel, I won't post others images here without their consent. I'm happy to link to their site and I love the idea of capturing the story behind the image. The fundamental goal here is to better understand how to make more creative, amazing images.
Cheers,
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#17
Posted 10 February 2013 - 07:55 PM
Drew
Moderator
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."
"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.
#18
Posted 11 February 2013 - 03:22 PM
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#19
Posted 12 February 2013 - 01:31 AM
#20
Posted 12 February 2013 - 05:49 AM
Cheers,
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom