Self portrait with Great White Shark

Photographer David Potts (1926 - 2012)

Date1957

Object number00019118

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin photographic print on fibre base paper

DimensionsFramed: 745 x 550 x 40 mm. C fini, glazed.

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Collections

Sharks

Terms

DescriptionThis image shows the shadow of photographer Davis Potts on the head of a Great White shark in the water. It is part of a photo essay by Potts called 'Hunting the Killer of the South Seas' which records big game fishing for Great White sharks off Ceduna, South Australia. Potts presented the story of Alfred Dean and Dean's personal war on the Great White shark. In 1957 he held the record for landing the largest fish on record with a rod and reel, a 'man-eating' Great White weighing 1150 kilos. Over a six-day period Potts followed a group of big game fishermen and photographed every step of their expedition From shooting seals as bait, preparing the hooks, the 'fight' between man and beast and the eventual shark capture and dismemberment, his realistic and unstaged approach to the subject matter was revolutionary at the time and reveals much about life in 1950s Australia.HistoryIn 1957, over a six day period, David Potts photographed Alfred Dean (a farmer from Mildura, New South Wales) Tom Cooper (owner of the South Australian Coopers Brewery), and Ken Puckeridge (owner of the 28-foot cutter, VICTORY). Dean held the record for the largest fish landed by rod and reel, by catching a man-eating great white weighing 2536 pounds (1150kgs) in the waters of the Great Australian Bight. The series documents Dean, Cooper and Puckeridge on board VICTORY and hunting seals for bait on reefs near Ceduna in South Australia. The bait was used to lure sharks to the boat. VICTORY was not designed for game fishing, so a fishing chair, the gaffs and other equipment were provided by Dean and Cooper. The result was a series of powerful and detailed shots of sharks, seals and dramatic action shots of the men battling a great white shark.SignificanceSharks were seen as man-eating monsters in Australia in the 1950s and were hunted viciously as big game trophies. This was a blood sport that was brutal, dangerous, and yet continues to fascinate. Australia was internationally recognised as the best place to hunt for sharks. In a sport where biggest is best the Great White Shark or White Pointer was the ultimate trophy for fishermen hungry for records and recognition.

With the Great White shark now an endangered and protected species this 'snap shot in time' is the polar opposite of how the creature is treated and perceived today.