From rock climber to ocean conservationist, National Geographic filmmaker and photographer Andy Mann’s From Summit to Sea is a journey through the ups and downs of his career, and he brought it to the Royal Theatre last night. The presentation is filled with the breathtaking photos expected from a National Geographic photographer, along with some candid shots. There are photos of the friends he rock-climbed with, other photographers, scientists, biologists, and even some failed shots of animals.
Turning passion into a job was a recurring theme throughout From Summit to Sea. Starting as a rock climber, he began taking photos with a point-and-shoot camera. He eventually started selling photos to fund his rock climbing. Travelling eventually became his passion, funded by photographing oceans.
As an aspiring photographer my takeaways from the night were: use photography to tell a story, find a passion and follow it, and push through the difficult times.
Mann’s intention with his photos is to tell a story of places people will most likely never go. His travels to the Antarctic and remote islands in distant lands aren’t easy—he once traversed through 45-foot waves in the most dangerous ocean passage, for example. But to Mann, they’re worthwhile because we get to experience these places through his photos.
During his 10 years with National Geographic, Mann never knew where his journey would take him. He simply followed his passion, even when it was what he referred to as “second fun,” which is when the fun of what happened is delayed. Mann went to climb the iconic tower Poumaka in French Polynesia; it was gruelling, but he said, looking back, it was an amazing experience. As a student entering final projects, I can relate to the “second fun.” At the end, I’ll look back and see the good times, even if I can’t right now.
Short films were mixed in with the photos giving insights into what life is like for a National Geographic photographer. Mann told stories about the people he met in the villages he went to. One startling example was when he told the tale of his expedition to study the bluntnose sixgill shark. While Mann was in a relatively small submersible covered in tuna carcasses, a gigantic shark came up and bashed against the submersible. It’s amazing how deep and far Mann has gone to capture photos of the ocean and life under the surface for the world to see, and hopefully, appreciate.
The most relevant story for me—and one that I think most students can relate to—was about a Zoom call between Mann and primatologist Jane Goodall. They were discussing how to keep going during difficult times. Goodall’s advice was to “gird your loins.” It’s a biblical reference of tucking in one’s tunic in preparation for battle (like “pull up your socks”). Prepare yourself, keep pressing on—it’s going to be difficult but worthwhile in the end.