Jordi Chias is a freelance photojournalist specializing in underwater and marine themes. His work includes extreme sports like cave diving, free diving and deep wrecks, and he is also working on travel articles, conservation issues and natural history subjects.
His stock library is over 15.000 selected images, and it is still growing every day. Some of those images are published regularly in books and magazines from Spain and overseas. Jordi was also chosen as the winner of the One Earth Award in the 2011 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for a thought provoking image of a turtle trapped in some netting.
Here he takes the time to talk to Into the Wild about photography, conservation, and what it was like to win such a prestigious award.
How did you first get into photography?
Jordi: My passion has been always the underwater world, first as a free diver and later as a diver. Photography was a consequence of that passion. I started photography when I bought an underwater camera when I was 15 years old.
And when did you become a professional photographer?
Jordi: I started to work as a photographer in 1998 when I got a job in a Spanish diving magazine.
What was the first wildlife photograph that you can remember taking and being really proud of?
Jordi: It was a loggerhead turtle when I was 17 years old, surrounded by pilot fish. It is a picture that I still like very much.
How did it feel to be chosen as the winner of the One Earth Award for your photograph Turtle in Trouble?
Jordi: Without any doubt it is the biggest achievement in my career, and not because of the prize. This was the first time that I had the feeling that my work is useful, and that I can help to protect the oceans.
What message were you trying to convey with that image?
Jordi: Most of the time when I am shooting I do not think in the message behind the picture. What I want is to show a situation, behaviour or a particular creature…. In that particular image, the fact that the turtle is looking at the viewer with the net in its mouth helps to understand the situation and to communicate the message of “help!”
Do you think enough is done at the moment to promote and try to counteract the damage that is being done to the world’s oceans?
Jordi: Of course not!!! To become aware of the need of protection, we need to know about that particular subject. So, we cannot protect what we do not know, or see. The underwater world is still unknown to big audience. We know more than 50 years ago, but the speed of destruction is faster that the speed at which start to have knowledge. The open ocean, where most of the turtles live, is still most unknown than coastal waters.
What projects are you currently working on?
Jordi: I am working on a project on a particular fish species which highly threatened.
And are you still promoting images that will make viewers think about the state of the planet?
Jordi: That’s what I am trying.
What would be your dream animal to photograph?
Jordi: Many, but maybe killer whales. I’ve tried many times without success!
And what has been your most exciting experience when on location so far?
Jordi: Everytime I am offshore with a big animal.
What advice would you give to aspiring wildlife photographers?
Jordi: Take it with the highest passion and honesty!
Feeling inspired? Thinking about a new career, a meaningful holiday or looking for things to do on a gap year? Why not check out opportunities to get involved with marine conservation on volunteering projects on some of the best reefs around the globe.
