This article, by Grace Schaub, was based upon an interview with Rick Sammon published in the mid-nineties in Photographer's Forum magazine. Rick, a friend for many years, continues his writing and photography today and is still very active in teaching, leading workshops, and writing about technique and vision that continue to educate and inspire photographers worldwide.
At home both at his desk, penning articles and books, and in the field, where he has established a worldwide reputation as both a travel and underwater photographer, Rick Sammon's prolific output has made him one of the most respected and widely-published writer/photographers working today. Along with his work goes a commitment to the earth, one in which he uses his talents to promote an awareness of our fragile underwater environment. His work has taken him to exotic and exciting places both above and below the sea.
Rick's love of photography and writing began early. But like many photographers, he also had a passion for music. He attended the Berkeley College of Music in Boston, and aspired to be a jazz musician. While some young musicians drive cabs or wait tables, Sammon decided to put his interest in photography to work, and he started doing freelance jobs and eventually submitting articles to photo magazines.
As he continued to write and get work published, he got to know the publisher of one of those magazines, Studio Photography, and when the editor's job became vacant he was offered the position. He took it, and for three years he ran the monthly journal for portrait and commercial photographers. From there he entered the world of public relations, handling the Minolta account during the introduction of their autofocus SLR cameras.
It was during that time that Sammon became involved with underwater photography and a growing consciousness about preserving the fragile underwater environment. While on assignment for the magazine in Texas he met Bernard MacFadden, president of CEDAM, an exploration organization whose acronym tells the tale--Conservation, Education, Diving, Archeology and Museums, all to do with the world under the sea. The organization sponsors seminars, dive trips and works in conjunction with many worldwide and regional organizations to foster both a broad and focused approach to preservation and conservation.
MacFadden and Sammon became friends, and in 1979 Sammon became editor of the CEDAM newsletter; in 1985 Sammon assumed the role of president of the organization. He soon found himself traveling around the world and becoming involved with the global village of divers and dive activities. For example, Sammon led an expedition to the lost city of Nueva Cadiz on the island of Margarita off Venezuela, where over 750 artifacts were discovered and turned over to the local museum. He also worked on the organization's Galapagos Project, a ten year marine study done in conjunction with the Charles Darwin Foundation. The Belize Project is done in cooperation with the New York Zoological Society and resulted in the establishment of marine parks. Cedam's Red Sea Project helped collect specimens for the New York Aquarium.
While these good works have resulted in many benefits for local museums and societies, they also helped contribute to Sammon's impressive collection of underwater photography. As most divers are also avid photographers, Sammon's work is highly appealing in that it combines the best of both worlds. One of the results of his years of shooting is a beautiful book entitled "Seven Underwater Wonders of the World", published by Thomasson-Grant.
The book, a must for avid scuba photographers and lovers of natural photography, is also a plea for Sammon's overriding concern--the calling of attention to the ecological problems confronting the deep-sea habitat. As he says, "We were looking for a project to protect the underwater world, but we needed a hook, something that people would connect with. That's when I got the idea for the `Seven Wonders.'"
The sites, including the Belize Barrier Reef, Lake Baikal in Siberia, the northern Red Sea and the Galapagos Archipelago, were chosen from among a checklist provided by an international selection committee of marine scientists and conservationists. The book contains 181 color plates and has become a classic among dive photographers, and also established Sammon among the top underwater photographers in the world. Aside from publishing the CEDAM International Reef Report, a newsletter about activities and concerns of the organization, Sammon has produced slide shows, videotapes and given frequent lectures on the subject. He also became a member of the Explorers Club.
Sammon's interest in nature and his experience with photography and publishing also resulted in numerous books and articles. With the birth of his son, Marco, two years ago, he focused in on the fact that one of the main reasons for his fight was to preserve the world for his son, and for his son's sons. He began looking at children’s books as a way to bring the wonders and appreciation of nature to future generations. With his wife Susan, who has been with him on literally every dive and shoot, he authored two books in conjunction with The Nature Company. Naturally, the first was entitled "Under the Sea", but the catch here was that all of Rick and Susan's pictures were printed in 3D, and the book included 3D glasses--just the technique to catch a kid's attention.
Today, Sammon continues to photograph, write and campaign for conservationist causes. He is a regular contributor to Outdoor Photographer magazine, and writes the weekly Associated Press syndicated column on photography. This year, he will be publishing five books, two with the Nature Company and three with Voyageur Press. He also continues to write freelance for a broad range of magazines and newspapers in the photographic, ecological and general-interest fields.
Through it all, Sammon remains one of the nicest people you'd ever meet. While his schedule and output would drive most people to distraction, he has seemed to learn how to maintain an even keel throughout. While his experiences around the world have given him a certain perspective, the birth of his son has put that perspective into an even sharper focus. If you have a chance to read one of his books, or can catch him when he lectures or gives workshops, you'll feel the same keen energy and caring coming through.
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