Brian Skerry, a National Geographic Photography Fellow and renowned underwater photographer pays homage to the mystery and beauty of the sea in “Ocean Soul,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28 at the Alberta Bair Theater in Billings. Presented in tandem with National Geographic Live, National Geographic’s touring speaker series, this marks the first of three speakers in the 2021-22 season.
Growing up in a small, working-class town, Skerry dreamed of exploring the oceans and becoming a National Geographic photographer. Today he’s one of the leading underwater photographers in the world.
Skerry has spent more than 10,000 hours underwater—capturing “the soul of the sea” for National Geographic for more than 20 years. His images celebrate the mystery of the depths and offer portraits of creatures so intimate they sometimes appear to have been shot in a studio.
He’ll share a fascinating look at some of the oceans’ apex predators, as well as stories of hope from marine reserves where wildlife is protected and thriving. Skerry dives eight months of the year, often in extreme conditions beneath Arctic ice or in predator-infested waters, and has even lived at the bottom of the sea to get close to his subjects.
In 2017, National Geographic Books published SHARK, a collection of some of Skerry’s most breathtaking shark images from throughout his career.
His powerful presentations showcase award-winning imagery and thrilling wildlife encounters, inspire reverence for the marine realm, and offer hope for protecting the vitality of the world’s oceans. Skerry’s book Ocean Soul will be available in the lobby at the event.
For tickets ($37 adult and $20 student plus fees) and information, call 406-256-6052 or stop by the ABT Box Office from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon. Tickets are also available at the ABT website, albertabairtheater.org.
The second presentation of the series, “View from Above” with Terry Virts, is scheduled for Jan. 28, and the series wraps up for the 2021-22 season with “Untamed” with Filipe DeAndrade on March 18.