Diver and whale shark with mouth wide open

Images(2)

Diver and whale shark with mouth wide open

Photographer Valerie Taylor (born 1935)

Date1953-2000

Object numberANMS1457[850]

NamePhotographic slide

MediumColour transparency film, plastic

DimensionsOverall (Inc carrier): 50 × 50 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Valerie Taylor in memory of Ron Taylor

Terms

DescriptionWhale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are a species of carpet shark from the order Orectolobiformes, which also contains wobbegongs and leopard sharks. Despite being the largest known living fish species, capable of growing over 16m long, they feed on zooplankton – tiny animals that float in the water. Whale sharks are found across the tropical oceans of the world, but due to various threats such as fishing, pollution, and climate change, they have been listed as endangered by the IUCN since 2016.HistoryThis image is part of a collection representing the career of filmmakers and ocean conservationists Valerie Taylor AM and Ron Taylor AM. 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. Ron and Valerie Taylor were committed to the documentation of a vast array of underwater wildlife. Through this archive a unique range of smaller creatures, such as ascidians, anemones, jellyfish, algae, starfish, plankton are shown. A variety of cephalopods are also depicted. In 1997 Valerie won the American Nature photographer of the Year for her photograph of a whale shark swimming with a boy in Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia. This archive features an impressive series of photographs of Valerie swimming with whale sharks off the coast of Western Australia. SignificanceIn 1997 Valerie won the American Nature photographer of the Year for her photograph of a whale shark swimming with her nephew in Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia. There is a lot that goes into creating an award-winning photograph: the right equipment, lighting, composition, perspective, scale and capturing the moment. This archive features an impressive series of photographs of the moments before and after the award-winning shot.