When
and with what equipment have you taken your first underwater
shot?
I
started to take underwater images in 1978. My first camera
was the Nikonos II with the legendary 15mm lens.
How did your underwater photography passion start?
I was looking to do other kind of photography, something
challenging. I was already taking pictures. In Israel where
I started my career in photography I use to be a war photographer,
I also did fashion and motorcycling racing.
What
does the underwater photography represent to you?
Peace,
tranquility, challenges how to be more peaceful and gentle.
It is an amusing activity and amazing that I can make a
living out of it.
Amongst the numerous prizes and recognitions you received,
which one gave you most satisfaction?
All
of the awards and prizes are important to me and each one
for different reason. After all working in the filed of
“liberal art” there is no better criteria for
success and achievement only the one in the come from award
and or a prize that indeed my work is acceptable and I continue
to expand and grow. From that point of view – the last
award is always the most satisfying. That which indicate
that I am evolving and so my photography. However there
are two cases of cover pictures which do not involve prizes
or award but are really pivotal in my life till now...
Ocean Realm magazine, USA in 1988 – have placed on
the cover my image of the Great White Shark (on the right), with open jaws
dripping with blood and broken tooth. That was the image
that establish me as a Big Animals photographer for many
years till today. In light of that – recently as in
Antibes festival where we met – Reflex magazine in
France – used my image of the Humpback Whale and its
calf on the cover – this issue is a prestigious issue
as it promote only three of National Geographic Photographers,
Michael Loup, Brian Skerry and the legendary David Doubilet
– but it was my picture that was selected for the cover
– the irony is that Reflex magazine did not give me
credit and no copyrights – however almost everyone
at the show knew that this was my image and have compliment
me for the work leading National Geographic photographers.
What
type of images do you prefer and which lens stimulates you
most?
I
like most to capture images of BigAnimals behaviors and
lens for it the most wide I can use, mostly 16 - 35mm in
Canon or 17mm - 35 in Nikon. Sometimes the fisheye the 16mm
lens. Simply because water are 800 times denser than air.
In order to get all the details and colors underwater photographer
have to be as close as humanly possible to the subject.
When
you started taking pictures, did you have a point of reference?
May be a person? And
where have you learnt the techniques to succeed?
I
started taking picture since I 12 years old. At that time
I did mostly
photojournalism in the street of Israel. I learned only
by trial and error. I did not go to school or classes. I
review many publications, editorial and advertising images.
I make a point to recall images I like most and why I like
them and than I make my effort to emulate them in my field,
either when I was in the battlefield, or runway modeling
and now in the wilderness of the underwater.
What
equipment do you use to take your pictures?
I
still use exclusively film camera. Underwater I use the
Nikon RS and
sometimes the Nikon F100 in the Sea & Sea housing. I
still use my Nikonos III with the 15mm lens.
Many
people may have asked you advises on the where and the what
and the how to take pictures underwater. Yourself, what
is the best advise you have ever received?
Learn
from my surrounding. Open my eyes and heart and assimilate,
be part of the environment I am in. I constantly reviewed
images that get published and study them for what I think
was their merit. Accepting other people work, like the work
of other photographers, sculptors and of course of the great
painters. Learning what in these masters work attract me
most allowed me freely to go underwater and seek similar
qualities but different, if you know what I mean?
Based
on your experience, what are the fundamental components
to make a "perfect" picture?
A
picture that do not need word to explain it. I picture that
have attitude, communicate and depict emotion, space, peace,
nurturing, competition, relaxing or excitement and etc...
Is
there a shot that you particularly remember?
Click
here
The
place or the dive that you liked most?
For
a thoughtful person my answer will be - the next place I
am planning to go to, where ever it may be and in that case
it will be, Turk & Caicos and after words to Antarctica.
The truth of the matter there is no one place I like more
- I like to make picture of different places. I like to
share with people my view of the world and the places I
have the privilege to visit. In my mind, no matter how many
other photographers been there before, I get to work and
see the place through my eyes and use the camera lens to
document the event, I bring my own view and the fact that
people want to see it and editor are willing to print it,
that is what count .
On
the other hand, the place or dive that disappointed you
most?
What disappoint me most is how we
treat the environment and the result of our actions for
so many years, Global Warming and the effect on the environment
and the wild. I am disappointed by people that have no patience
with wildlife and lack passion for the process of nature
and wildlife.
In
your long experience as underwater explorer have you ever
been in a difficult situation, scared, or in danger?
Indeed there are few, however the
most memorable that I still want to conquer is the opportunity
to photograph Polar bear underwater. At the first time when
I did it the bear was diving after me to 25 meter and that
was deeper than anyone ever told me is possible and I was
running away for my life.
To
conclude, what is on top of your dreams?
To swim face to face with the largest animal ever live on
the planet and still roam our ocean - the Blue Whale. See
attached picture.
Amos,
many thanks for your time and kindness. Good luck!
Thank
you too for the opportunity,
Amos
