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Underwater shot of scuba diver in full mesh suit holding a Whitetip Reef Shark with a fish in it's mouth, two other scuba divers in background
Underwater shot of scuba diver in full mesh suit holding a Whitetip Reef Shark with a fish in it's mouth, two other scuba divers in background

Underwater shot of scuba diver in full mesh suit holding a Whitetip Reef Shark with a fish in it's mouth, two other scuba divers in background

Photographer (born 1935)
DateDecember 1988
Object numberANMS1454[277]
NamePhotographic slide
MediumColour slide transparency
DimensionsOverall (inc carrier) 50 x 50 mm
Copyright© Valerie Taylor
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Valerie Taylor in memory of Ron Taylor
DescriptionThis photographic collection represents the career of filmmakers and ocean conservationists Valerie Taylor AM (born 1935) and her late husband Ron Taylor AM (1934-2012). The couple pioneered skin-diving, scuba diving and underwater photography and cinematography in Australia. Valerie was national spear fishing champion for three years in the 1960s, Ron for four years, however the couple soon stopped fishing and shifted focus to shark research, photography and film. They made chain mail diving suits to film sharks and became strong advocates for shark preservation. This photographic archive holds images of the many species of sharks documented by Ron and Valerie throughout their career. It features many of their iconic shots of the great white, and documentation of grey nurse and Port jackson sharks near their coastal home at Seal Rocks. Hammerhead, blue, white tip reef, wobbegong, tiger, silver tip, grey reef, and bull sharks are also included. Valerie and Ron Taylor’s research into shark behaviour and their vocal defence of sharks and the marine environment resulted in the protection of grey nurse and great white sharks in Australian waters. Ron died in 2012, and Valerie continues to take a lead role in marine conservation issues in Australia and overseas.
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark with fish in mouth and Mike's hand on it's head, with three other scubadivers in background
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark with fish in mouth and Mike's hand on it's head, with three other scubadivers in background
Valerie Taylor
December 1989
Underater shot of scuba diver in full mesh suit holding a Whitetip Reef Shark with two scuba divers in background holding camera equipment
Underater shot of scuba diver in full mesh suit holding a Whitetip Reef Shark with two scuba divers in background holding camera equipment
Valerie Taylor
December 1988
Underwater shot above reef bed of two Whitetip Reef Sharks, milk carton crate and a scuba diver in full mesh suit with a second scuba diver in background
Underwater shot above reef bed of two Whitetip Reef Sharks, milk carton crate and a scuba diver in full mesh suit with a second scuba diver in background
Valerie Taylor
December 1988
Underwater shot above reef bed of two Whitetip Reef Sharks, milk carton crate and a scuba diver in full mesh suit with a second scuba diver in background
Underwater shot above reef bed of two Whitetip Reef Sharks, milk carton crate and a scuba diver in full mesh suit with a second scuba diver in background
Valerie Taylor
December 1988
Underwater shot above reef bed of Whitetip Reef Shark in foreground and scuba diver in full mesh suit with a Whitetip Reef Shark and large fish in background
Underwater shot above reef bed of Whitetip Reef Shark in foreground and scuba diver in full mesh suit with a Whitetip Reef Shark and large fish in background
Valerie Taylor
December 1989
Underwater shot at water surface of scuba diver Jerimiah in full mesh suit holding a mesh covered mackeral and other forearm in Blue Shark's mouth
Underwater shot at water surface of scuba diver Jerimiah in full mesh suit holding a mesh covered mackeral and other forearm in Blue Shark's mouth
Valerie Taylor
June 1981
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark feeding on a fish, milk carton crate and a second scuba diver in background
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark feeding on a fish, milk carton crate and a second scuba diver in background
Valerie Taylor
December 1988
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark feeding on a fish, with second shark and Black Surgeonfish in background
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark feeding on a fish, with second shark and Black Surgeonfish in background
Valerie Taylor
December 1988
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark feeding on a fish
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark feeding on a fish
Valerie Taylor
December 1988
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark feeding on a fish with a school of fish and sun flare in top right hand
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark feeding on a fish with a school of fish and sun flare in top right hand
Valerie Taylor
December 1988
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark feeding on a fish, with second shark and Black Surgeonfish in foreground
Underwater shot above reef bed of scuba diver Mike McDowell holding a Whitetip Reef Shark feeding on a fish, with second shark and Black Surgeonfish in foreground
Valerie Taylor
December 1988
Underwater shot above reef bed of Whitetip Reef Sharks and a scuba diver holding camera gear aimed at shark
Underwater shot above reef bed of Whitetip Reef Sharks and a scuba diver holding camera gear aimed at shark
Valerie Taylor
1953-2000