This pod of dolphins approached me while I was photographing turtles. They approached me at first with caution. They seemed to be content keeping their distance, so I continued to stay with the turtles. The group’s second approach was quite different. They seemed much less concerned and far more curious. The encounter lasted over 20 minutes and in the end I left feeling like a welcomed visitor of the pod. I admire how much love these beautiful creatures share with each other and how fortunate I was to get the chance to experience and photograph it.
-Steve Munch
In February of 2015, a major winter storm had just passed through, leaving behind clear skies and rare snow on our local mountains and foothills. I headed off one morning, hopeful to get a shot of Ventura Harbor with the snowcapped mountains in the background. Unable to find the harbor shot I wanted among the docks and moored boats, I walked to the harbor entrance where thundering, 25 foot plus waves were imploding on the breakwater, sending geysers of spray and foam high into the sky. I wanted to document this power and beauty, but still something was missing. I needed something in the for perspective and scape. That’s when I saw the Hawaiian Chieftain looming on the horizon.
We call him Mr. Lucky, and with good reason, for the odds are stacked astronomically against him. Each hatchling that bursts from the sand has less than a one percent chance of reaching maturity. A thousand eggs are laid so that one will survive. Yet each hatchling bursts forth as if it is the chosen one. There is always a chance.
While working in the Gallery one day, I could not help but overhear a customer comment: “What a lucky shot; he must have been using a very expensive camera.” It got me thinking … are my shots in fact a product of expensive equipment, lucky coincidence or talent? The customer was commenting on the image, “
