Amazing Underwater Photos of Ocean Creatures
Check out these incredible images by photojournalist Brian Skerry, and help select which photographs will appear in an upcoming exhibit
- By K. Annabelle Smith
- September 06, 2012, Subscribe
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Learn more about the ocean from the Smithsonian's Ocean Portal. |
(Brian Skerry )
The great hammerhead shark is an elusive species and pretty hard to find. Skerry spent 19 days in the northern Bahamas in the winter to capture the image of this 14-foot male when the sea calmed down, waiting 100 hours for a few moments alone with the shark. Skerry believes their blend of grace and power makes sharks excellent photo subjects because they move elegantly and with confidence.
Though the creature looks terrifying, Skerry says there is a common misconception about sharks. “Sharks are not particularly interested in humans, it’s actually quite rare for divers to encounter them,” he says.
Skerry writes of his experiences with sharks on his blog:
“It has been said that sharks have remained unchanged for hundreds of millions of years because they are perfect and that no further evolutionary change is necessary. A few days in the company of any shark is all that is required to know this is true.”
Vote for this photo to appear in the Natural History Museum’s Portraits of Planet Ocean exhibit, set to open in February 2013!
Comments (15)
I love to see the bright colours of coral reefs and cannot bare the thought that in most parts of the world the bright colours are faded through from pollution and over fishing.
Posted by Saskia Jacobs on November 1,2012 | 04:28 PM
hi people i love animals and bacon!!!!
Posted by lucy welsteam on October 9,2012 | 09:59 AM
awsome
Posted by Justin on October 3,2012 | 08:57 AM
They're all beautiful!
Posted by Mike on September 18,2012 | 02:51 PM
The pup looks like he is inviting the photographer to come and play. The animation in the pup's eyes seems to show the viewer that he is relaxed and is very curious about the photographer. I liked the composition of the photo.
Posted by Alice E. Thompson on September 14,2012 | 09:44 AM
I picked the manatee over the great hammerhead, because these animals are exsisting so closely with humans that is seems of great importantance to learn to harmonize with them, to then do the same for the great hammerhead.
Posted by Jeni Baity on September 14,2012 | 09:32 AM
The face of underwater sea creatures! Please use it! And thanks for this beautiful gallery of photos!
Posted by Judith deRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:20 PM
This is a miraculous and beautiful photo! Please use this photo to help us (me, too) learn about this remarkable creature! How beautiful!
Posted by Judith deRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:17 PM
Belugas are helping spread the word about whaled! A generationof kids are growing up on the song and book, "Baby Beluga." Both are loved by kids and their elders alike! Use this great photo, please! This remarkably portrays the Beluga as I've rarely seen, if ever, in a photo.
Posted by Judith deRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:15 PM
Whatever teaches about the vital importance coral reefs play should be used in the exhibit!
Posted by JudithdeRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:10 PM
Using this photo will foster more of an understanding of what "endangered" truly means.
Posted by Judith deRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:08 PM
This amazing photo belongs in the exhibit! So moving!
Posted by Judith deRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:06 PM
I couldn't vote for only one! Absolutely magnificent!!! These encouraged my 3 sons to take a closer look. I vote for a Smithsonian calendar... Christmas gifts anyone!
Posted by Rebeka Knowlton on September 13,2012 | 03:43 PM
A beautiful body of work. As a photographer, I am in awe of the skill and patience required to capture such stunning images. As a human being, I am grateful that others share the exquisite beauty and perfection of our planet by capturing images most of us will never have the opportunity to see first hand. Thank you.
Posted by Donna on September 13,2012 | 09:41 AM