First Post

The last year has seen so many changes in my photography. The big changes came in October last year when economically someone just switched out the lights, BANG! My commercial photo clients became more careful with new shoots and more inclined to repurpose older material. Big jobs became fewer, and the trend started shifting to smaller, all be it more numerous, jobs. Basically a lot more work for a lot less money. This shift seemed to hit everybody hard. The idea of new gear for 2009 was a no no, duct tape and Home Depot jury rigs became the order of the day.

It wasn't all bad. The end of 2008 saw me pour new energy into what I really love to do- underwater. Since an amazing trip to Cabo in November last year, a larger portion of my income has been from underwater. Editorially 2009 was good with numerous covers, features and pages in magazines like Marlin, Blue Water, Tides, Voyage du Peche, and my personal favorite National Geographic Magazine.

I'v always had a thing for the blue water species. The true massive action in the ocean doesn't take place over the reefs serviced by some PADI Gold Palm Resort. You can't book a 10 am dive to see large pelagic bait balling 30 miles out to sea. More and more I find myself on fishing boats a long way from the coast, working with fisherman to find new and exciting shots. I can count the number of times I've been on scuba in the last year on one hand. One particular species that has just captured everything that I love about blue water action is the blue marlin.

I've been lucky enough to have had several opportunities over the summer to jump in the water with a few blue marlin once they've been released, and to watch them up close. A released fish, although magnificent, is tired and stressed. Its colors are dark, and it's in no mood to hang around once the hook is removed. It's now become my focus to find and shoot these fish unhooked and lit up in full aggressive predatory mode. This will take time, it may take years and lots of money to get the right shot.

I plan to keep this blog as a chronicle of my search to photograph all of the great gamefish underwater- from the gigantic blues and blacks to the whites and stripes. From the dorado and yellowfin to the giant blue fin and flats species like bonefish, permit and tarpon. Feel free to follow me on this odyssey. My limited edition fine art aluminum prints, as well as scores of new related products associated with my travels, will be available from my new website which will be launched in January.