When Amos Nachoum was asked to share advice with future photographers at the 2016 Blue Ocean Summit, he instead responded with a question:
“What is the impact of your picture? What is your goal?”
As Amos continued, he reasoned that anyone can take a pretty picture of a gobi or octopus, but challenged budding photographers to understand the communication opportunity their pictures present. He asked photographers to think hard about the story they are trying to tell through their images and pushed them to go deeper within themselves and within their subject to tell a more meaningful and impactful story.
“People need to create the story behind the picture,” said Amos.
In fact, that’s exactly the type of challenge Amos has consistently set for himself throughout his life, eventually finding his way into a career in underwater photography in the 1980’s. After leaving home at 14, Amos spent his teenage years on the water with fishermen in the Red Sea. A few years later, he joined the Israeli Special Forces where he received advanced dive training and photographed war zones around the world. As Amos wrapped up his military service, his love of photography and the ocean came full circle - Amos dove headfirst into what has not only evolved into a lifelong passion for underwater
Amos Nachoum
photography, but, more importantly, as a voice for big ocean animals.
Through his work taking photos and leading expeditions, Amos strives to dispel common preconceived notions about big ocean animals like sharks, polar bears, orcas and more as “man-eaters” by connecting people with these beings in their natural environment. He believes that when you witness creatures on their home turf, where they display emotional intelligence and often travel in family units, you stop forcing the human world on them, and instead, you adapt to their environment. It is when you finally let go of our world that you are left humbled, inspired, and recognize that we are all connected to the ecosystem. Amos has witnessed firsthand the power of interactions with big ocean animals and leads expeditions to remote parts of the world to show others these creatures in their natural habitat. A leader in the truest sense of the word, Amos follows strict safety protocols and fosters an environment where his guests willingly listen and follow him, quickly helping those around him overcome limitations their mind has set about the reality of large ocean inhabitants.
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5
Sharing the Stories of
Big Ocean Animals