A collection of remarkable stories from the founders of charity Ocean Culture Life. Explore Earth's most remote open oceans, with telling insights from the extraordinary heroes making new discoveries every day.

The Ocean Speaks brings together more than 45 ocean culture life enthusiasts who have taken ocean protection into their own hands, documenting the unknown and telling stories that aim to connect humans with water. Whether they are divers, marine biologists, surfers, influencers, conservationists, photojournalists, or filmmakers, each of these ocean lovers is playing a part in deepening our understanding of our planet's largest life support system, 80% of which remains unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored.

Split geographically by oceans and continents, the stories include a project that documents the world's largest population of tiger sharks in the Maldives, divers who unofficially patrol a UNESCO world heritage site near the volcanic 'Ring of Fire' in the Tropical Eastern Pacific, a visit to the touching but ghostly turtle cemetery in Malaysia, and incredible natural spectacles like the mass spawning of grouper in French Polynesia, or the humpback whales who flock to the remote Silver Bank in the Dominican Republic to birth and mate.

With over 200 underwater images from every ocean on the globe, The Ocean Speaks is a stunning celebration of ocean life, a unique glimpse into the biggest habitat on the planet, and marks a small point on the journey towards protecting it. This inspiring collection of testimonies is a must for anyone concerned about our waters, and those wanting to protect our environment. The battle to protect the deep blue is ongoing, but stories like these are taking us in the right direction.

Ocean Culture Life is a charity dedicated to promoting the conservation, protection, and improvement of the physical and natural marine environment, by widening and deepening public understanding of the ocean's issues and challenges.

The beauty of the apex predator captured up close and unflinchingly.

A global shift from fright to endearment is happening, and the world is falling in love with sharks as risk of their endangerment increases.
Mike Coots, who was nearly killed by a tiger shark as a teenager and has since dedicated his life to capturing and sharing sharks' beauty and indispensable role in a healthy ocean, gets up close and very personal with the magnificent creatures, presenting his unique perspective through portraits exposing both their brawn and their brains. Traveling the world (Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand, Bahamas, and Maldives), free diving and scuba diving, often with no cage, Coots has recorded Tigers, Great Hammerheads, rare Oceanic White Tips, Lemons, Silvertips, Caribbean Reef Sharks, and massive Great Whites, as big as fourteen feet in length.

Big, bold, and beautiful, extraordinary portraits of some of the ocean's largest sharks present a fresh photographic narrative of what it's like being apex. Coots anthropomorphizes the giant fish, with amazingly detailed and unexpectedly intimate images, filled with the stunning character of each species revealed marvelously.

Silent Kingdom reveals the world beneath the waves in an ethereal collection of black-and-white underwater photography.

Through stunning black-and-white images, award-winning photographer Christian Vizl uses a masterful control of light and shadow to portray the creatures of the sea as they are rarely seen, at home in the ethereal world beneath the waves.

From capturing the ferocity of sharks to the playful dance of dolphins, Vizl turns aquatic creatures and marine seascapes into visions of sublime grace and beauty suspended in time and space. With each turn of the page, venture deeper into the one realm in which humans do not reign and discover an unforgettable world that few have ever seen.

Though the ocean covers over 70 percent of planet Earth, over 80 percent of that vast wilderness remains unexplored. As human activity begins to impact these once-untouched regions, it is more important now than ever to acknowledge both the beauty and value of our seas and the necessity of preserving one of the last true wild frontiers of our world.

Silent Kingdom is both an ode both to the beauty of the ocean and the magnificent creatures that inhabit it and a call to action to preserve the fragile underwater world of our planet.

Winner of the Premier Print Award - 2019 Prize for Special Innovation in Printing and Second Place winner of the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards, Natural World & Wildlife category.

During an exceptional mission, underwater biologist and photographer Laurent Ballesta and three other divers remained confined underwater in a 5 square meter box for twenty-eight days, between Marseille and Monaco. This is how they were able to explore the 100 meter depth zone without time limit and thus reveal the natural treasures of the little-known depths of the Mediterranean.

52 Assignments: Underwater Photography is a year's worth of inspiring weekly assignments to kick-start your creativity.

This collection of photographic workshop assignments is designed to build core skills, expand horizons and kickstart creativity. The book takes readers on an underwater adventure with assignments designed to teach valuable lessons and produce stunning images. It has a year's worth of weekly challenges and concepts for conceiving and composing powerful, dynamic underwater photographs and videos. Complete the assignments weekly over a year, or dip in every time you need to bring a new concept or creative approach to underwater photography.

Full of technical advice and professional tips, the book includes space for readers to add their own notes, lists and tech specs, allowing them to create a unique journal to record the journey they have made with their imagination.

Assignments include: silhouettes, macro backlight and reflections.

Embark on a captivating journey into the world of starfish, the mesmerizing echinoderms of the Salish Sea, in this visually splendid book that brings to light the beauty and diversity of these marine wonders. Renowned for their unique star-shaped form, vibrant colors, and intriguing textures, starfish are a focal point for underwater photographers and marine life aficionados. Every page of this book explores the distinctive characteristics and adaptations that make starfish a subject of intrigue and admiration worldwide.

This book features a collection of extraordinary photography and dives into the fascinating life of starfish. Discover their remarkable abilities, from regenerating lost arms to their unique feeding methods and vital role in the marine ecosystem. Understand why these resilient and often overlooked creatures have captured the imagination, influencing art, fashion, and home decor motifs.

Life in the Salish Sea - Starfish celebrates the convergence of marine science and cultural fascination, showcasing the starfish's journey from the ocean's depths to the forefront of popular consciousness. Ideal for divers, tide pool explorers, and marine life enthusiasts, this book will submerge you in the breathtaking beauty and intriguing existence of the Salish Sea's most iconic echinoderms.

Immerse yourself in the underwater world of the Salish Sea's starfish and discover why these captivating creatures have enchanted a diverse global audience. From the leisurely beach stroller to the dedicated marine researcher, this book offers something for everyone drawn to the natural world's marvels. Join us on this photographic voyage and fall in love with the starfish.

One of @NatGeo's most popular nature photographers shares 200 breathtaking images -- and the stories behind them -- from a wide swath of wild ocean locales around the globe.

From gregarious gray whales plying the waters of Baja California to acrobatic manta rays in the Maldives and parading penguins in Antarctica, National Geographic photographer Thomas Peschak has spent a lifetime documenting the beauty and fragility of underwater life and the majesty of wild coastlines.

This awe-inspiring book of photography charts his transformation from marine biologist to full-time conservation advocate, armed with little more than a mask, fins and a camera. In these vivid pages, Peschak photographs sharks in a feeding frenzy, tracks sea turtles the size of bears, and dodges marine poachers, to reveal the splendor of pristine seas as well as the dark side of pollution, overfishing, and climate change.

Filled with magnificent images from Southern Africa, the Galápagos, Seychelles, and more, this illuminating collection offers an impassioned case for revering--and preserving--the world's oceans.

For centuries, we have been fascinated by the sperm whale--the world's largest toothed predator. Now you can experience an intimate underwater journey to connect with these majestic and gentle goliaths.

Inspired by a life-changing childhood experience, Gaelin Rosenwaks set off on a journey to tell the story of sperm whale families through photography and film. In the waters off Dominica, she observed--eye to eye--the close bond between mother and child firsthand. What she found is that these animals live in matriarchal family units made up of remarkable females that stay together for generations. Like elephants and humans, they take care of one another.

Rosenwaks's years as a marine biologist, diver, and underwater filmmaker and photographer prepared her to tell this beautifully stirring story with never-before-seen photographs of the world's most marvelous ocean species.

Humans have a pronounced preference for curves; they much prefer curves over angles in almost all aspects of life. Based on past studies, it seems like this preference is real; in other words, humans specifically like curves versus simply disliking angles. They like curves. In fact, curved shapes are uniformly described as more beautiful, more pleasing, more graceful, and more artistic than any angular shape, regardless of the subject. Moreover, many people associate this curvature, this curving shape, as much more magical than those angular objects. Curves are viewed as magical whereas angles seem, at their best, to be viewed as practical. At their worst, angular objects and/or surfaces evoke a negative response in the viewer.

In past studies and in primitive tribes, the angularity of the object actually triggers a sense of threat. Even from a neurophysiological standpoint, angles are automatically associated with a threat with significantly increased activity in the bilateral amygdala of a person who is viewing a sharp-angled object. This amygdalar activity is associated with a fear response. According to our amygdalae, angles are bad and corners are fear-inducing. Recent studies using MRI readings confirm this observation.

More significantly, the use of curved lines and shapes as fundamental aspects of pleasing art spans time and cultures. Curved figures, abstract curves, waves, and spirals are present even in prehistoric art in cave paintings and continue through the Classical Period, Renaissance, Impressionism, and into the Modern Period.

So why this book? Curves are magical; they do evoke beauty and mysticism. They bring to mind and evoke the majesty, magical moments of this world. In contrast, angles remind us of the hard, brutal realities of this world-the dangerous corners in which we may find ourselves. This collection of photographs helps illustrate each of these competing concepts. As the viewer, I would hope and suggest that you view these photographs separately and see each as a unique view on the world. Then, combine them and enjoy the world as seen through a photographer's lens. Allow yourself to be transported into the magical aspects of this life which may not be obvious on first viewing. Enjoy what these photographs may teach you of this world and of yourself.

Charles E. Rawlings, MD, JD

The book is for the beach walker who wonders about where sand comes from, how shells are formed, and what happened to them along the way. He would be able to find the life story of some broken shell: how did they died? Did they spend time buried in the mud?

The waters that surround Seychelles are home to over 1,000 species of fish and 300 species of coral. The islands are visited by giant Whale Sharks and Manta Rays, and are home to the critically endangered Hawksbill and Green Turtles. Its warm tropical waters and coral reefs teeming with fish mean that Seychelles is a popular diving destination.

This lavishly illustrated book showcases the extraordinary marine environment of Seychelles' islands. The diverse marine habitats, including coral reefs, granite seascapes, mangroves and seagrass beds, are home to vibrant communities of marine fauna and flora. Underwater Eden encapsulates the wonder of Seychelles' seas and highlights the creatures that call them home. With the effects of climate change becoming increasingly apparent throughout the world's oceans, the authors' stunning photographs capture the beauty of Seychelles waters while they are still vibrant and relatively undisturbed. Chapters on ecosystems, turtles, fishes, Marine Protected Areas and conservation describe and illustrate the marvels of this underwater world.

Stefano Benazzo's evocative images of shipwrecks--the remains of magnificent sea cathedrals, bound to inevitable decline. Through powerful images of wrecks shot over decades on the world's coastlines, Italian photographer Stefano Benazzo brings again to life the sailors, as well as the immigrants. The duty of memory prompts us to keep with grateful remembrance the sailors' endeavor and traditions. Wrecks are the evidence of men who have been cornerstones of economic, social, and maritime history, as well as of their courage and suffering.

Benazzo's images settle for future generations the features of ships that elements will destroy more and more. The distance makes it difficult to approach wrecks, and it is nearly impossible to transport them to museums.

Benazzo's photographs lead us to pry deeply into ourselves, bringing out our richness and our diversified nature. In the author's imagination, these wrecks seem to be miraculously ready to sail again with perseverance and to fulfill their mission: they express the hope of salvation and life.

All the pictures in this collection have been celebrated in the past decades by the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition--the world's most famous and prestigious event of its kind. They include some of the most exceptional underwater images of animal behavior ever taken. The collection represents the work of more than 50 international photographers and decades of diving experience. Accompanied by the stories of how they were taken and the behavior they revealed, they give us a glimpse into a world few of us would otherwise ever get to see.

Every time I dive, no matter where I am, I am always filled with wonder. Ever since I was four years old and wandered the beaches of South Carolina, wondering what lay beyond and under the water, I have been fascinated with the sea. Each time I walked the beach, the sea would deliver these incredible living creatures to my feet - seashells. I became enamored with these exquisite gems and dreamed of someday seeing them living in all their finery. I became certified to dive in 1981, and the sea has never once disappointed my sense of awe in its creatures. Everyone knows what a seashell is but do they really know what makes these incredible shells? Have they ever seen the living animals? Very few of my readers have seen or even encountered the living animal, and thus my two previous books have been a success vis- -vis demonstrating the animals. They have educated and (hopefully) elevated those people who have seen a living mollusk. In my previous two books. Living Shells and Living Mollusks, I have photographed living mollusks, including living shells, in their native habitat and introduced my readers to the exceptional beauty of living mollusks - living seashells. I have been astonished at the worldwide acclaim garnered by these books. So, why a third book about living shells? With this book I am hoping to open the world to an artistic interpretation of these living mollusks - to share with the world a unique view that is the beauty of these creatures. As William Blake noted: If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till the sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern. I began to view these mollusks in a different way, a cleansed perception if you will, and in a way that I wanted to show other people. I wanted to photograph these mollusks in a way that would highlight their form, their color, their pattern; in a way that presented them in their true uniqueness. I photographed them using different lighting techniques, angles, and in their abstract beauty. They became my muses. Moreover, I have provided a personal insight into those photographs. Be they photographs of cephalopods from New Guinea, volutes from Australia, nudibranchs from Baja, or shells from the Pacific Northwest, I have provided the how, why, where and when for each photograph. This is art from a source that is quickly disappearing. Living mollusks are disappearing due to climate and environmental degradation as well as human destruction of habitats. Enjoy them while you can. Charles E. Rawlings MD, JD

The water is so clear and filled with so much color, it's like splashing liquid glass.

Lake Tahoe is legendary for its crystal-clear turquoise waters. Even Mark Twain commented on its dazzling and brilliant clarity. This is the first book of underwater photography from America's most famous lake, which stretches over 191 square miles on the California-Nevada state line. The camera lens captures bizarre and fluid shapes that form faster than the eye can see or the mind can comprehend. More than 180 images show Tahoe's breathtaking submarine scenery, from its teal shallows, rounded boulders, and swirling compositions to the surreal still lifes in its clear, quiet depths. For everyone who loves Lake Tahoe, the images are a lasting reminder of its singular beauty--and a call to help preserve its health.

The Undersea Art of Indonesia by Charles Rawlings, Nuswanto Lobbu, and Leah Perez is the latest in a series of large format photographic underwater adventures penned by Charles et al. I own each one and thoroughly enjoy the amazement evident on first time reader's faces as they page through these marvelous volumes. As editor of the journal, American Conchologist, I have not only enjoyed and appreciated the photographic skills and adventurist spirit of Charles, but I have directly benefited over the years as he has provided me, and thus our readers, a plethora of high quality images of undersea life for use in the journal. Colors that leap off the page and images of minute alien-appearing organisms have been juxtaposed with first-time ever photographs of rare mollusks and camouflaged seashells in their natural environment. With this latest adventure and book, it seems Charles, Nus, and Leah have decided to draw the reader's attention to the art possible with skilled photography and the wonders of nature found in Indonesian waters. Each image belongs behind glass, framed, and mounted on an exhibition wall. One section of panoramic images in unbelievably clear water, another of coral reef fishes and their myriad of colors, another of close up images of brightly colored organisms small enough to fit several in a soup spoon, and finally a section where the colors and patterns win out over any identification of the exact subject matter -- underwater abstract art in nature. This is a marvelous celebration of the wonders of life and as readers we are lucky to have this opportunity to share the very best of what Charles and company discovered in countless hours of underwater photography. Thank you Charles, Nus, and Leah, I really look forward to sharing this newest volume of treasures and watching first time readers discover the beauty of your undersea world.

Tom

Thomas E. Eichhorst

editor -- American Conchologist

Conchologists of America, Inc.

Admired all over the world and loved by locals for its natural beauty, Sydney Harbour is enjoyed by thousands of people every day. But rarely do we look below the surface where, beneath all the hustle and bustle, lively communities go about their business. With underwater forests and gardens, hundreds of species of fish and thousands of invertebrates, Sydney is as colorful and diverse below the water as it is above

Underwater Sydney celebrates Sydney's incredible harbor and coast through eclectic stories and stunning underwater photography. It also explores the challenges the harbor is facing today after more than 200 years of coastal development and the role that marine science plays in maintaining the harbor's health. Underwater Sydney will open your eyes to the rich marine life that makes the Sydney estuary and coast so special.

Features:

• Features engaging stories based on informative science and accompanied by color photographs of diverse and charismatic marine life

• Offers an overview of the Sydney Harbour environment, including intertidal rocky shores, submerged sandstone reefs, sponge gardens, beaches and sandy bays, mangroves, and the interplay with the built environment

• Each chapter is introduced with an above-water photograph of a location to anchor the story, and includes a mini map of the locations where visitors can find a certain underwater community.

Technically speaking, Pearl diving proved a demanding photography project for me. I have been an amateur diver for many years, so I knew I would be entering an alien world and would have to adapt my way of working accordingly. But during these dives Susanna, the professional diver accompanying me, frequently had to get me to the surface earlier than usual, since my consumption of compressed air increased considerably when taking photos and I, carried away by my work, became less careful in monitoring myself. We spent many days down in the coral deeps: our air consumption was higher owing to the depth, and thus, for technical reasons, we were not able to dive for so long. Our dives generally lasted between 40 and 70 minutes. For the most part we worked with natural light, rarely resorting to using the spotlights we had brought with us. Using only available light, the increased density of the water presented a seemingly insurmountable problem at times, with bits of plankton floating around to make things even more difficult. When photographing in such situations you have no firm foundation and have to take shots floating. This only works if you are in perfect assetto, when your own body floats on the spot, precisely balancing the up and down movement of the water. To achieve this you have to either pump air into the dry suit and its outer pockets, or release air, as appropriate. And of course, steady breathing is a must when diving. Of course I didn't want any air bubbles to get into my shots... and I needed an extremely steady hand to operate the camera on a wide aperture in the watery twilight. But how do you manage all that while floating and breathing? I am still haunted by one particular dive during which a squid, who didn't like the proximity of one of our pearls, disappeared in a cloud of ink - taking the pearl with it

Submerged Visions: Capturing the Wonders of Underwater Photography takes readers on a mesmerizing journey beneath the waves, exploring the captivating realm of underwater photography. From the vibrant colors of coral reefs to the majestic movements of marine creatures, this book showcases the beauty and diversity of the underwater world.

The book delves into the unique challenges and techniques involved in capturing stunning underwater photographs, from selecting the right equipment to mastering camera settings and composition. It highlights the importance of protecting gear and ensuring safety while diving, offering valuable tips for underwater photographers of all levels.

Submerged Visions emphasizes the critical role that underwater photography plays in conservation and education. It explores the fragility of marine ecosystems, the impact of human activities on underwater environments, and the power of visual storytelling to inspire action and protect our oceans.

Beyond the technical aspects, the book provides practical guidance for planning and preparing for underwater photography trips, including destination highlights and must-visit spots around the world. It also encourages readers to engage with the underwater photography community, share their work, and contribute to the collective efforts of conservation and education.

Ultimately, Submerged Visions celebrates the beauty, diversity, and importance of the underwater world. It invites readers to appreciate and explore the hidden wonders beneath the waves, while also fostering a sense of responsibility towards the preservation of our oceans. With its stunning imagery and insightful guidance, this book is an inspiration for both aspiring and seasoned underwater photographers, as well as anyone who seeks a deeper connection with the enchanting world that lies beneath the surface.

The Dover Straits is the resting place for many wrecks and this book reveals the stories behind a selection of these unfortunate vessels. This highly pictorial account shows the wrecks and the numerous artefacts found. The gallery of photographs for each wreck is accompanied by a brief summary of the history of the vessel and the actual dive, providing an insight into diving in these challenging waters and also the excitement of discovering age-old artefacts.

The book unearths some amazing stories and shows the objects in situ or recovered for purposes of identification - all declared to the receiver of wrecks - many in remarkable condition. There are many hundreds of wrecks in these waters that form a perfect site for wreck divers and this book describes just a fraction of what may be found.

This new book will be a valuable and enticing introduction for all divers wishing to explore the huge number of wrecks to be found in the Dover Straits as well as a useful point of reference.