Stingray and Sailboat by David Doubilet
The David Doubilet series in the Schleswig-Holstein Journal, the magazine of the Schleswig-Holstein newspaper publisher, was continued in the issue of April 12, 2014 with my article about one of the most famous pictures by the underwater photographer from the USA:
“It was a hot day in June. Air and water were somewhat the same temperature. The shallow waters of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean are popular with divers and people who snorkel. They come to feed the tame stingrays during the day. But in the late afternoon everything became quiet, and that was the time when I was able to take my pictures.” With these words, David Doubilet, the “magician” of underwater photography, described the creation of this photo, which is one of his most popular motifs is often used as a book cover, postcard motif or to illustrate travel reports. What makes this photo so popular? Well, the solution is very simple: With this key image, David Doubilet manages to combine several positive elements in a single shot that immediately trigger vacation dreams in us viewers: the vastness of the turquoise sea in warm southern climes, an seemingly endless blue sky with fair-weather clouds, a seemingly weightlessly floating ray, perfectly staged as if by an artist's hand, and in contrast, an anchored sailing yacht in the background. However, the decisive recipe for success of this dream photo is David Doubilet's sophisticated technique, in which he combines the view under water with the view above sea level in a single shot.
The one currently being shown in Iserlohn starts on May 16th Exhibition with the pictures of the renowned underwater photographer in the Schleswig City Museum - combined with a special event that is unique in Germany: “David Doubilet live in Schleswig” also on May 16th at 20 p.m. (banquet hall of the Danish high school AP Møller-Skolen). Advance sales at all known presale locations in Schleswig or by email: stadtmuseum@schleswig.de
