General
Information:
Peter Hince, 45, is an advertising photographer
based in London, England, who has expanded his repertoire in recent years
to include the underwater world. Peter began diving in Bermuda in
1980 and completed his PADI certification in 1991. He began his underwater
work as a personal project, having found diving a source of total relaxation,
yet, at the same time, "visually and wildly stimulating."
At first he was wary of underwater photography's
appeal, wondering if he could still enjoy diving while being burdened with
cumbersome gear and needing to master technical-looking setups. But, he
decided, as with all things in photography, it is the eye not the equipment
that is important.
So what did he want to accomplish with
his underwater work? Holiday snapshots of fish did not appeal to him, and,
deciding that it would take too many years of dedication to rise to the
level of the wonderful color work of experts, Peter hit on the simple idea
of utilizing fast black and white film with a basic Nikonos V setup and
available light.
Needing three or four trips to feel comfortable
with the technicalities and disciplines of the Nikonos and with shooting
underwater in general, Peter soon began to see the potential in prospective
subjects and what he wanted to achieve with them. The underwater shots
became an extension of his commercial work, which has a spontaneous graphic
feel and utilizes natural light wherever possible.
His final photographs -- what you see here
in his ScubaDuba exhibition -- are black and white hand prints that
are treated through the use of different papers, developers and toners.
Although the images are not conventional, eschewing the bright saturated
color normally associated with underwater photography, they are "true"
in that they are achieved solely with natural light. None of his
images are re-touched or computer manipulated (other than some Photoshop
resizing and sharpening for the web).
Despite being monotone, they effectively
convey the atmosphere and drama experienced by divers, and in a unique
way. Peter works to capture all the elements of diving and the underwater
world - the perspective, drama, beauty, shape -- creating a feeling of "being
there."
What began as a "bit of fun," has evolved
into a satisfying and compelling part of Peter's working and personal life.
As he explains, "I was quite surprised and flattered at the response to
my underwater images. I knew they were different, but was not sure how
the diving 'establishment' would accept them. A few traditionalists have
been critical, but I am delighted with the overall response from the public
and the media world."
Due to the popular response to his work,
Peter began a small business, Ocean Images UK, which produces and sells
posters, cards and t-shirts featuring his photographs. He has also
become involved with marine conservation groups and helps to promote and
raise funds for them through the sale of his prints.
"I feel fortunate to do what I do for a
living, and being able to expand upon my love for the underwater world
is a great bonus," Peter said, recently. "I shall continue to experiment
with my underwater work, and am currently working on ways to shoot color
in a similar manner to my black and white -- without artificial light and
as bold graphic statements."
You can email Peter Hince with your comments
and feedback at peter@hince.demon.co.uk.
Credits:
Peter's photographs have been published
in major dive magazines around the world, as well as international photo
magazines such as Zoom, Hot Shoe, Image and the British Journal of Photography.
His work has also been published in many magazines, including Vogue, Conde
Nast Traveller, BBC Wildlife, New Scientist, and Marie Claire.
His international clients include British
Airways, Braun, Coca Cola, Jaguar Motors, Gillette, Nescafe', Swatch, Philips,
Forte, Fuji, Hilton Hotels, Reuters, Cadbury - Schweppes, Bayer, Unilever
and Virgin.
His work has been exhibited at galleries
and dive shows in Europe and the Far East, and he has lectured on his style
of work to dive clubs, associations, seminars and photographic groups.
Copyright
Information:
All images displayed in this ScubaDuba
Exhibition of Peter Hince's work are copyrighted by Peter Hince and are
displayed by special permission from the photographer. None of these images
may be legally reproduced without prior written authorization from Peter
Hince. These photos are not freeware, and copying them to another computer,
computer floppy disk or any other medium is strictly prohibited. For any
type of usage, please contact Peter Hince by email at peter@hince.demon.co.uk.
Violation of these copyright laws will be considered copyright infringement.
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