As part of my research on ocean conservation and underwater photography I visited the International Ocean Film Festival World Tour Screening in Auckland, New Zealand on the 4th of April 2019. The Festival shows the most inspirational, educational and entertaining films created by independent film makers from all across the world. While I visited it mainly to learn more about capturing underwater footage, the films presented from above the surface where also very interesting with some showing unique views following whales or mammals across the arctic for 1000s of kilometres.
Considering the large amount of research and long time to develop and shoot footage like this, it is impressive to see films focusing on various elements of the ocean world.
As the festival is always trying to support the local marine conservation work in each location the are hosting the screenings, various groups can be presented out and around the theatre screening. In Auckland it ranged from Seashepherd Australia/NZ to 'Padi' Dive Instructors. The Program this year presented eight movies with the longest lasting 45minutes and the shortest just over 3 minutes. The topics varied from Ocean Adventures (Manry at sea - in the wake of a dream) to Marine Life and Ocean Conservation (I am Fragile) to Photography (Surface) and Scuba Diving (Adventure is Calling).
In 'Surface' photographer Ben Thouard explained his connection to the water and his interest in underwater photography. While he originally started off as a sports photographer focusing on surfing and water sports, his interest has moved away from the norm towards a more unique perspective. His newest project features fine art images taken through the wave underwater while the water is still calm enough to take a glimpse at the shoreline ahead. His images taken of the rolling waves are dramatic and can be seen as motivation for my own underwater experiments.
While a small collection of his images could be seen in the documentary 'Surface' has also been released as a photo book including images mainly taken around Tahiti's beaches above and below the surface.
Taking his 'Surface' images as an example for beauty and tragedy in photography, the images capture the power and danger of strong currents and big waves in detailed high resolution images, perfectly displaying the speed and velocity of the water moving past the photographer.
While so far I have only experimented with underwater photography in calm waters the dramatic forms created by the waters movement would be a very interesting addition to my project and could work well with the architectural structures I plan to combine the footage with.
After 'Surface' 'Adventure is calling' was also a great short film to see. In just over 5 minutes the movie shows underwater footage from across the globe and features animals as well as plants and sea beds of breathtaking form. So far my experimental work has been focused on air and water and the different tonality and colouration under water, however footage showing the seabed could be a great platform for further editing to add the city skyline for instance into the image.
'There is a time when one must decide either to risk everything to fulfil one’s dreams or sit for the rest of one’s life in the backyard.' ( R. Manry in 'Manry at Sea- In the wake of a dream')
The 45-minute film 'Manry at sea - in the wake of a dream' follows the 1960s ocean adventure of Robert Manry from New York to England. From a research perspective this movie was very informative as it added original newspaper clippings, images, voice overs and film footage from the 60s together to create an accurate retell of the entire journey visualising Manry as a person as well as the effects his adventure had on society.
'Courage, the courage to finally take one’s life in one’s own hands and go after the big dream, has a way of making that dream come true.'
( R. Manry in 'Manry at Sea- In the wake of a dream')
After a little over two hours the 2019 Ocean Film Festival finished. I enjoyed the movie selection and the footage presented.
Next to the two films mentioned here in detail, all the others showed amazing footage captured around the ocean and the images created below the surface will be a great inspiration for my project work in the future.
From a research perspective the visit has also been beneficial as it gave me the opportunity to see different approaches to the subject of ocean and marine life all focusing on different angles from surfer culture to climate change. This broad spectrum of knowledge pictures the ocean world from various angles which should be the goal of my research on beauty and tragedy too. Looking at the subject from different angles historic - like 'Manry at Sea', cultural - like 'Surfer Dan, artistic - like 'Forever' and documentary- like 'I am Fragile' and 'The southern right whale', has been accomplished well with the selection of movies presented and can be seen as an example of aspects to consider when selecting sources for my research e.g working on my Annotated Bibliography.
Bibliography
Ocean Film Festival (2019) World Tour New Zealand Official Festival Hompage. Available at: http://oceanfilmfestivalworldtour.com/#about [Accessed on 5th April 2019]
The Robert Manry Project (2018) MANRY AT SEA ~ In the Wake of a Dream. A documentary film by Steve Wystrach. Available at: https://www.robertmanryproject.com [Accessed on 5th April 2019]
All Images:
Thouard, B. (2019) Surface Photographers Official Website Print Gallery[Online image]. Available at: https://www.benthouard.com [Accessed on 5th April 2019]