Fisherman Feydhoo Island, Maldives.

For me, studying photography changed the way I would go on and see the world forever.

Not a day goes by that I don’t notice something, that I know I wouldn’t have seen if I hadn’t become a photographer.

Location: Feydhoo Island, Maldives. Time: 2.02 am. Subject: Fisherman waiting dockside.

—–

Later afternoon reflections on the ferry to Male’, Maldives.

Ferry, Maldives.

—–

The Maldives needs a generational change in attitudes to rubbish and dumping stuff in the ocean.

Rubbish, Maldives.

Rubbish, Maldives

—–

On the hunt for reef fish behind Feydhoo Island, Addu Atoll, Maldives.

—–

Another two photos from my two days on a commercial fishing vessel in the Maldives last week.

Commercial fishermen about to dive for bait, Addu Atoll, Maldives.

Feydhoo Island reflection, Addu Atoll, Maldives.

—–

During my two year stay in the Maldives, I spent a total of 6-days on commercial fishing vessels. During that time I learnt first hand what life is like for commercial fishermen. I also gained a valuable insight into the fishing industry and how important two species of tuna – Skipjack and Yellowfin – are to the Maldives’ economy.

Photography on commercial fishing vessels is probably the hardest thing I have had to shoot. In no particular order, here is a list of challenges I have faced while onboard commercial fishing vessels in the Maldives:

Lack of Sleep

Commercial fishermen are masters at cat napping. Getting 90-minutes to two hours of sleep between fishing action is pretty common. You sleep on the deck where ever there is space.

Sea Sickness

Generally speaking, I travel well on open ocean vessels. However I do experience some nausea during the first day or two at sea.

A Dangerous Work Environment

Photography comes second to safety when I am on a commercial fishing vessel. Rule number one is to look after myself. Rule number two is don’t endanger the safety of any of the fishermen onboard.

The reality is, you are on a large, wide deck with no railings and there are open hatches – complete with 6-foot drops – all over the place. If that wasn’t enough, decks are often slippery and when the fishing starts the deck becomes the work area for up to 20-men, depending on how many crew are on board.

Getting Hit by a Flying Tuna

Sounds pretty funny, but the reality with pole and line fishing is that tuna once hooked, literally fly out of the water and onto the back deck.

The drop zone is clear of men when the fishing is going, but having said that I watched a 6-9 kilogram tuna fly over my head last week and land in the bait hatch. That was a distance of 18-metres (60-feet) from the back deck where the fisherman was. To get hit by a tuna that size is no laughing matter.

Technical Photography

Photographically it is tough because you are half asleep and having to deal with all sorts of shooting conditions. It can be pitch dark; it can be raining; the action can be happening incredibly fast; the light changes with the position of the vessel, so getting consistent manual exposures is difficult and of course, the vessel is continuously moving around, so composition is tough too.

Despite these challenges, I love it. I really do.

I love seeing the darkness of night slip away to reveal a new day. I love the early morning and the magical light you get for just a few minutes. I love the split second action and the sheer challenge of producing good visuals. Most of all, I love those moments when everything is quite on the vessel and you can just sit back and experience the many moods of the ocean.

While I’m still editing my work from my two days shooting last week, here are two that I like.

Peak fishing action, 17 nautical miles east of Addu Atoll, Maldives.

Down time - taking a quick cigarette break near Addu Atoll, Maldives.

—–

I have just returned from a week in Addu Atoll, in the very southern part of the Maldives. While I was primarily down there for an assignment with Qatar Airlines Magazine, I decided to extend my stay and get myself back onto a commercial fishing dhoni for a couple of days. More about that in my next post.

For now, two photos from the recently opened Shangri-La Resort, Maldives.

Shangri-La Presidential Suite, Maldives.

The old and the new. Resort staff motoring past a dhoni.

—–

Aerial shot on the flight back from Soneva Fushi Resort to Male’, Maldives.

Aerial, Maldives.

—–

Ali, Bar Waiter at Soneva Fushi Resort, Maldives.

I have been doing a lot of portraits since arriving in the Maldives. I love doing portraits for the simple fact that it is a great opportunity to meet people and learn more about them.

The actual portrait session lasts anywhere from 5 to 15-minutes. Such a short time keeps me on my toes, especially when trying to produce a publishable image.

I love that moment when a complete stranger says ‘yes’ to my request for a portrait. It leaves me feeling privileged to be given the opportunity.

—–

Just back from an overnight trip to Soneva Fushi Resort in Baa Atoll, Maldives.

I first visited Soneva Fushi on assignment for Serendib Magazine in 2007. It was during that first trip that I met many of the wonderful staff at Soneva Fushi and learnt first hand how the resort was changing the  way it runs things, all in the name of the environment.

This trip was for a commission with Bangkok Airways magazine. As the article hasn’t been written, or even published yet, I can’t talk about the subject matter. Instead, I thought it would be a good idea to provide a run down of my two days on the island, just to give readers an idea of how busy some of my resort visits are.

Day 1:

11.15 am: I meet good friend Ahmed Zahid at the Airport Jetty, for the 10-minute trip to the International airport. A photographer in his own right, Zahid offered to assist for me with the portrait shoots.

11.45 am: Picked up at the International airport and driven to the sea plane terminal, a 7-minute shuttle.

11.52 am: Escorted to the VIP lounge; complete paperwork; quick drink; then escorted to Twin Otter sea plane.

12.18 pm: Sea plane departs for Soneva Fushi, with a 10-minute stop at Soneva Gili Resort to pick up some passengers.

1.16 pm: Arrive at floating dock in a lagoon adjacent to Soneva Fushi. The water is an incredible turquoise blue. Just stunning!

1.21 pm: Transfer to a dhoni (traditional Maldivian boat) for the trip to the resort.

1.32 pm: Arrive at Soneva Fushi. Straight to lunch.

2.15 pm: Shown to villa. Settle in; repack equipment, then off to first interview and shoot.

2.30 pm: Interview, then portraits.

3.30 pm: Back to villa.

3.45 pm: Back to the main dock for boat trip with staff to the nearby sand bar for afternoon/evening cocktails.

4.05 pm: Arrive at one of the most spectacular sand bars I have seen in the Maldives. Photograph staff setting up.

5.15 pm: First guests begin to arrive from resort by speed boat.

7.30 pm: Leave the sand bar, returning to the resort.

7.45 pm: Sit down for dinner with the GM and other guests. The food at Soneva Fushi is superb!

9.00 pm: Finish dinner, then back to villa. Download the days photos; do a rough edit; check schedule for the morning. To bed at midnight.

Phew. A busy day. Great to be back out on the islands with Zahid again and to reconnect with some of the people I had previously spoken to at Soneva Fushi. Day 2 tomorrow.

A few favourite photos from the day.

Beautiful abstract reef patterns near Soneva Gili Resort Maldives.

Sea plane transfer with Soneva Fushi Resort, Maldives.

Approaching a sand bar, Maldives.

Soneva Fushi Resort staff setting up on a sand bar, Maldives.

Guests enjoying evening cocktails on a sand bar, Maldives.

—–