Cathy Church Portraits of Cathy Church by Peter Symes Unique, Unmatched, Magical
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Text by Gunild Pak Symes Underwater Photography by Cathy Church Portraits of Cathy Church by Peter Symes Unique, unmatched, magical... Cathy Church Down the stairs to the and renowned author- friendly photo shop at ity on underwater pho- tography, Jim Church, Sunset House Hotel, a dive Cathy co-author a stun- resort on Grand Cayman ning array of over 200 Island, one enters the world articles and three books of the colourful and inimita- on underwater photog- raphy with Jim including ble Cathy Church, a legend the Nikonos Handbook. Her under- at the apparent image and not tive, especially since her darkroom in underwater photography water images have been published beyond it at an angle to compen- was damaged by Hurricane Ivan and an inspiring teacher to in many underwater and non-div- sate for water distortion and to in 2004. The photo centre has since many a diver who found his ing publications over the years as avoid backscatter and hot spots. A been remodelled and is hopping well as advertisements for Cayman simple well-known concept these with business and photo classes or her way to her popular Islands Department of Tourism, US days, it was not common knowl- once again. week-long super courses. Virgin Islands, Kodak, Nikon, various edge back then. These days, she continues inspir- At the tender age of 60, cruise lines and other businesses. Church said that she enjoys ing students with her regular cours- In 1987, Church was awarded exploring the medium of black es in the Caymans and u/w photo Church is still excited about the prestigious NOGI award for and white, that perhaps it is her tours to the Pacific tropics her craft and looks forward the arts from the Academy of background in science that as well as developing her ABOVE: Grotto with one fish to many more years of Underwater Arts and Sciences, spurs her interest into the photo centre and gallery helping divers take better and in 2000, was inducted into the complexities of the craft to serve customers bet- RIGHT: Jellyfish Women Divers’ Hall of Fame and behind the form – a ter, which she manages shots underwater. received the DEMA Reaching Out process that includes with her husband, Herb FAR RIGHT: Barracudas Award. She acted as president of the mixing of chemicals Rafael, a published and Since 1972, Church has been the Academy of Underwater Arts and working through a accomplished underwa- teaching underwater photography and Sciences in 1999 and 2000. zone system. Still open to ter photographer in his in the Caymans and has conduct- Church has been pioneering the changing technolo- own right. ed seminars in most of the major new techniques in underwater gies in the field, Church In the early days, cities in the US. She is one of the photography from the beginning also explores the Church was a pioneers in the field of underwa- and passing along her knowledge digital realm in women in a field ter photography and has been a to her students. In fact, she was the underwater dominated by contributing editor for SKIN DIVER first underwater photographer to photogra- men. She is magazine for 15 years in the 70s identify and write about the com- phy – a candid with and early 80s. mon mistake u/w photographers welcome her views While married to another pioneer make when they aim a strobe alterna- and per- 80 X-RAY MAG : 5 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED profile Church Solomon seafan Fumisuki bow Manta cleaning station spectives on and inclusion of women as well degree in biology. She had her discontinued her studies toward substitute teacher after receiv- Students shot a roll of black and the changes as the rising accomplishments of first taste of underwater pho- a doctoral degree since women ing a teaching certificate at San white. Church processed the in diving women in the field and sciences tography at Stanford University’s were not allowed, at the time, to Jose State College. She taught film, and then the students held and under- in general. She said that she Hopkins Marine Biology Station overnight on the research vessel, middle school for several years in their film over special light sensi- water pho- has seen a positive growth and in Monterey, California, where nor at any research station. the 70s. But she still wanted to see tive paper out in the sun until an tography in change over the years. she met Jim Church. He taught After completing her degree the natural habitat of marine ani- image emerged. That was their regards to the Church was first intro- her how to take u/w shots with a in marine biology, Church want- mals, and so diving and underwa- studio proof. Nowadays, the involve- duced to SCUBA diving Calypso camera and a twin lens ed to work in research in an ter photography were a natural regularly packed courses have ment at the University of reflex Rollei camera. Hopelessly underwater job for fisheries, for development. 15 Nikonos systems available with Michigan biol- hooked, she attended underwa- instance, but doors to jobs in the In 1971, the Churches were several sets of lenses and strobes, ogy station in ter photography courses at the field were closed to women then. invited by friends to stay at their housed systems and digital sys- Pelston. At Brooks Institute of Photography. Jobs with the California State newly built dive resort (now the tems, three hour dives from large the time she In 1970, she received her gradu- Fish and Game Department, for Spanish Bay Reef) and help guests boats loaded with tanks, nitrox, was earning ate degree in Marine Zoology example, were not available to with underwater photography. and most importantly, snacks. a bachelors from the University of Hawaii but women. So, Church became a Procedures were simple then. What a difference 30 years of 81 X-RAY MAG : 5 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED LEFT: Stairway to the star profile Orange Canyon Angels Cathy Church in the field, Church was turned and underwater model out on fierce. But Church warns photogra- down for jobs only to find that a location. phers not to give their images away man who was no better than an She suggested that photogra- to clients for nothing. It hurts the amateur was hired to fill the post. phers gain a combination of skills, business and themselves. Another ugly side of the dive com- become resort photography profes- “Underwater photography is a munity emerged in the early years sionals, work hard and develop their challenge,” said Church. “It is a of her photo courses, when Church skills on land and on boats. Church wide open field. You first have to found out that male colleagues in said that it is helpful for photogra- be good at it. It can’t be hurried.” the area were telling students not to phers to get certified as a SCUBA With the wisdom of over thirty years go to her. But she agreed that pro- dive master or instructor, and in the in the field, Church concluded that fessionalism, or lack thereof, cannot beginning, be willing to work underwater photog- be blamed on gender. in exchange for camera raphers must bal- Church said that underwater pho- equipment and gear and ance creativ- tography is a passion, and those diving experience when- ity with the that go into it must contend with a ever possible. Church said business of field that can be fickle and difficult underwater photographers selling images. was domineering over the other, so to survive upon. Most, she said, must do what they do “because ■ Church split them up and worked supplement their habit with some- they can’t not do it”. with them separately. Responses thing else – finding a job that is not She said that there is no from wives to Church’s sensitivity too far from their passion. She said money in stock images, but and disposition to listen to them that some photographers work as dive writing and underwater were that of surprise and appre- tour operators, and she finds that photography can get you ciation. Many women went on to there are a lot of couples working contacts and free advertis- further develop their underwater together in the field. They comple- ing, though the assignments photography skills. Church said that, ment each other’s skills and talents are far and few between as nowadays, women outnumber men and provide an instant dive buddy competition for publication is in her classes, and she also often sees couples LEFT: Starry night enjoying each other’s BELOW: Solitude progress over the run of RIGHT: Two stingrays the courses. Church said that in the early years, she saw soci- instruction makes! the water or in learning how ety being protective of Church loves to teach. She to dive. Church continues women, unduly prohibit- likes to help students visual- to seek new directions and ing them from exploring ize their pictures, find where methods to aid those who are and excelling in mostly the scene exists in nature and apprehensive, yet yearn to male dominated fields help them set up the shot. learn underwater photogra- such as marine science Church said that she helps phy. and diving. But after them learn how to optimize Over the years, Church has the women’s liberation what they have and find observed differences in the movement of the 60s out what they can get out genders as they approach and 70s, she can see that For more information, visit: of a shot – how to get the underwater photography.