Photographer Samantha Schwann
Samantha Schwann is a Canadian born, U.S based underwater photographic artist whose work concentrates on ecologically unique areas of the ocean. She was announced as a Finalist in the 3rd Edition of the Boynes Emerging Artist Award.
“Running Deep” (Finalist Work)
By Samantha Schwann (3rd Edition Finalist)
Revillagigedo Archipelago
Archival Inkjet Print
In deep water, a shoal of Trevally darts ahead only to wildly change directions, contracting into a tight ball and then expanding into the water column. An accidentally overexposed photograph revealed the hunters: nine Silky sharks within one frame. Roca Partida is a remnant of a volcano, a small islet in midst of open ocean along a major migration corridor for megafauna. The strong, powerful currents mix around the small island, creating numerous layers, up and downwellings, and vortexes. Shark research of the location find the populations to be nearly exclusively adult, suggesting the area may be a mating ground for several species including Silvertip, Galapagos, Hammerhead, and Silky, but much is still unknown.
What inspired you to begin creating?
The maternal side of my family contains quite a few artists, so art has been a part of my life since childhood. I was originally drawn to sculpture (metal, paper and stone) but after an introduction to photography in 2010 I immediately fell in love with the creative potential of the medium. It felt like I had more freedom, which aligns more with my personality. I started out in landscape and abstract work, teaching myself to photograph along the city and seascapes of Vancouver, Canada.
“Future”
By Samantha Schwann
Sea of Cortez
Archival Inkjet Print
A mako, presumed to be pregnant. Currently endangered, it is expected that populations will continue to decline until 2035 even with a full halt of fishing, due to an error in calculating the age of sexual maturity for the species on which harvest thresholds were based. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico has one of the few remaining significant concentrations of Mako on the planet.
What inspires your photography now?
Shortly after purchasing my underwater camera housing in 2015, I came across the story of a small fishing village in Baja, Mexico which was struggling with overfishing and damage to their local 20,000 year old coral reef, caused by fishing boats. The 150 residents petitioned the Government of Mexico to create a marine preserve, and in 1995 Cabo Pulmo became a marine protected area. By 2011, researchers recorded a remarkable 463% increase in fish biomass, with a return of every single species - some of which that had not been seen since the 1980’s. Today Cabo Pulmo is a thriving eco-tourism destination, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park, and heralded as a conservation success story. I found their courage and fortitude deeply inspiring (it was a struggle for them initially to transition from fishing to eco-tourism). I’ve been passionate about the ocean since first learning to dive in 1994, but that story resulted in an immediate decision to dedicate myself to marine conservation.
My work is inspired by the need to protect our oceans, as it contributes so significantly to our food, fresh oxygen, water, and global economy. Scientists urge for 30% of our oceans be protected by 2030 in order to absorb the demands of current global population, yet less than 6% is currently preserved. I hope to bring the topic of ocean conservation to an expanded audience, highlighting the need for immediate protection of the most ecologically significant locations. 15% of print sale profits directly support ocean conservation initiatives related to the subject or location photographed, to assist them in the important work they do.
“Los Islotes Lion Diving”
By Samantha Schwann
Sea of Cortez
Archival Inkjet Print
The Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez) is one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet, with significant populations of at-risk species and incorporating almost every oceanic process within the sea. Some areas of the Gulf are protected, but the remainder attract both large scale and illegal fishing operations which has pushed some species to the brink of extinction. Tagged Sea Lions at the colony of Los Islotes have been recorded diving significantly deeper than usual for the species, as they forage for new food sources in an adaptation to declining fish stocks.
Are there any particular brands of photography supplies you prefer using (if so why)?
I use a rugged aluminum camera housing made by Sea&Sea, with a Canon 5DMKIII inside. Depth, salt water, marine life, and getting banged around on dive boats is not easy on gear, and it’s been a really great system.
“Morning Light”
By Samantha Schwann
Revillagigedo Archipelago
Archival Inkjet Print
The Revillagigedo Archipelago lies on a convergence zone between the California and Equatorial currents, creating a unique set of ecological and biological processes. 240 miles from the nearest landmass of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the small chain of islands has high concentrations species which are globally at risk. Roca Partida is the smallest of the four islands, with the exposed area at the surface less than one square mile in perimeter. Underwater, the currents act like a migration superhighway, with the islet providing a critical feeding area for megafauna such as sharks, whales, manta, and dolphin.
Do you have any particular ways that you work through a creative block?
I like to work in solid chunks of uninterrupted time. Conversations throw me out of creative flow, so unless absolutely necessary communication goes to electronic form when I’m working. If I’m stuck, I’ll step away and do something else for a little while. While not possible during COVID, if I’m really stuck on something I’ll head to the movie theater a short walk away from where I live and watch whatever action film is playing. I have no idea why, but usually halfway through an idea or solution will pop up. I’ve learned to trust the creative process, although I hope as my career progresses I’ll be able to make it more efficient.
“Journey”
By Samantha Schwann
French Polynesia
Archival Inkjet Print
Experiencing a remarkable comeback after a 1985 hunting moratorium, the Humpback whale now faces an uncertain future due to new threats including entanglements, pollution, and climate change. Every fall, Humpback whales make the long migration from Antarctica to the warm waters of Mo'orea, French Polynesia to mate and give birth. While the island is a designated sanctuary, expanded protection is needed along the migration corridor for protection against ship strikes and noise pollution, which impacts feeding and migration patterns.
Can you give any piece of advice to your fellow artists?
I have a sticky note above my desk that says “Keep Going”. Keep working, learning, submitting and creating.
Diametric
By Samantha Schwann
Cabo Pulmo
Archival Inkjet Print
Snapper encircle a grouper, over the wreck of the commercial fishing trawler El Vencedor. The vessel was one of the last to collide against the 20,000-year-old reef in the 1980s, and now acts as an artificial reef. The coral reef has recovered to the point where it produces a significant amount of reef noise. The sound is a signal of a healthy reef and acts like a beacon, attracting distant marine life for up to a mile away. Sound is so effective at coral restoration, some conservationists are finding success at restoration utilizing underwater speakers, and recordings of healthy reef noise. The Gulf Grouper was one of the last species to return to the reef system of Cabo Pulmo, Mexico nearly 14 years after it was established as a marine protected area. The noise produced by the now-restored reef acts as a beacon, attracting marine life up to a mile away.
How do/did you manage the need for perfection within your work?
I strive for excellence, as perfection feels inauthentic to me. Human nature is flawed - in some ways tragically, but in other aspects very beautifully and makes us who we are. Excellence encourages leaning into growth, and brings a greater freedom to explore without seeking an impossible standard.
“Mako”
By Samantha Schwann
Sea of Cortez
Archival Inkjet Print
Hunted for sport, meat, and fins, the Mako shark has experienced rapid declines, falling to endangered status in 2019. The mako is the fastest shark on the planet, capable of bursts of speed exceeding 40mph, but also possesses the highest brain-to-body ratio. In studies, it has demonstrated impressive critical reasoning and social skills. They are inquisitive around the camera, often showing interest in their reflection from the camera dome.
How do you process/come to terms with and even use other people's opinion of your work?
Constructive criticism is essential for growth. I have a laser focus on what I want to achieve, and so this strips away taking anything personally. If it will help me improve and is from a credible source, I take note. If the opinion doesn’t meet that criteria, then I let it go.
“The Hitchhiker”
By Samantha Schwann
Archival Inkjet Print
The Revillagigedo Archipelago is an aggregation area for the Oceanic Manta Ray, a highly intelligent, curious, and playful animal which has demonstrated evidence of self-awareness. The archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and became North America's largest marine protected area in November 2018. Manta populations are in decline due to hunting, ship strikes, and pollution, in combination with late and low reproduction. The animals are filter feeders and are significantly affected by microplastics.
Is there an artist/s who inspires you creatively?
I am very excited by the work of Laurent Ballesta and his team, who in my opinion are the Jacques Cousteau's of our time. They conduct incredible photographic expeditions which are a blend of science, exploration, and conservation on a scale that has not been attempted before. His team works in technically challenging, extreme environments - for example very deep water, ice, and marine life, and pushes boundaries both in the technical aspects of his projects but also how they are captured photographically. I earned unlimited depth, ice, and rebreather ratings earlier on in my dive career and so these are all environments which I share a fascination for. His projects require a massive amount of funding of course, but I admire how he thinks big and approaches his projects in a unique way.
To view more of Samantha Schwann’s work