A: Whenever I visit schools and universities to speak about my work, I always bring along a few photos from this project. One particular photo stands out, where George and Fred can be seen on the boat releasing one of these small turtles. It’s a split shot that captures both the underwater and above-water world, with the majestic Pico volcano in the background. These photos are powerful tools for communication,especially for those who do not have the possibility to dive and witness this world firsthand.
Q: What makes working in the Azores so unique?
The azores is truly one of a kind. Not only is it special to me personally, but it also boasts unbelievable biodiversity. Located in the middle of nowhere in the Atlantic Ocean, you never know what surprises await you beneath its deep waters. While certain species are expected to be seen, there are always unexpected visitors from either side of the Atlantic such as fish, squid or octopus.
Q: What challenges do you face while filming in this location?
A: Filming in the Azores presents many challenges. I recall one particular release trip where we encountered rough weather conditions.The currents can be incredibly strong and unpredictable, making it a struggle to stay in position while waiting for Fred and George to release the turtle. additionally, being at the surface of the water means constantly bobbing up and down, making it difficult to stabilize the camera.while being underwater provides more stability, I need to be at the surface for this project, wich adds another layer of difficulty.And when you add strong currents on top of that, capturing good footage and photos becomes even more challenging.
These underwater photos are absolutely breathtaking, I never knew the beauty that exists beneath the surface!