A Photographer Shows Us Just How Smart Dolphins Are
“It’s Time for a Conversation,” a feature story exploring dolphin intelligence in the May 2015 issue of National Geographic magazine, presented photographer Brian Skerry and senior natural history editor Kathy Moran with an interesting problem: How do you show how smart a dolphin is? I recently sat down with Kathy and we talked about what it was like to work on this story with Brian—who shares his own experience in the video above.
BECKY HARLAN: What was the toughest part about working on “It’s Time for a Conversation”?
KATHY MORAN: When you’re trying to do a story on animal cognition, the challenge is making interesting images that show the behavior. It’s easy to go and make beautiful photographs of dolphins. And if you were simply doing a story on spinners or bottlenose, lots of beautiful images might add up to a great photo essay. But when something like cognition becomes the framework that the visuals have to hang off of, then that behavior is absolutely critical to the storytelling.
The other thing that was really challenging is that you’re working with researchers who are passionate about only working with wild animals … and yet one of the reasons we know how smart [dolphins are] is the work that’s been done with captive animals. It was a delicate dance trying to be respectful to both sides of the equation. Brian really bridged that gap in a very creative and respectful way.
BECKY: How did you and Brian get to a place where you all were making the images you wanted?
KATHY: Brian spent weeks and weeks and weeks learning as much as he possibly could about these species, interviewing scientists, and trying to really figure out what he could bring to the story that was going to be different than what anyone else had done in the past. He worked so incredibly hard, but he just had these moments in the sea where everything came together. Spinners playing with leaves, bottlenose corralling fish, duskies eating from a bait ball—these are things that you hope you’re going to see, but it just takes hard hard work and lots of luck. That aerial image looking down on the dolphins doing mud rings around the fish, I don’t think anyone has ever made a still image of that behavior before.
BECKY: You and Brian have worked on over ten stories together. What do you like about working with him?
KATHY: He’s talented, he’s curious, he’s one of the most hardworking partners I’ve ever done a story with. He really puts the effort into doing his homework. His style is absolutely beautiful—the way he brings light and motion together so that you feel that in his images. The ocean is never static.
What I really respect about Brian is that his commitment to ocean conservation never ends with the publication of the story. He continues to help all of the scientists that he works with and he lectures tirelessly about the need for ocean conservation. One story flows right into the next for him because his commitment to the ocean is so powerful. He has created this dialogue between himself and the National Geographic audience that’s all about his love of the oceans and the need to conserve them. It’s really a never ending conversation.
*****
See more photos and get the full story on dolphin intelligence in the May 2015 issue of National Geographic.
Explore Brian Skerry’s work on his website and follow him on Instagram. If you like what you see here, you can find other Proof posts about Skerry swimming with giants and finding the “Afghan girl” dolphin.
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
- See how ancient Indigenous artists left their markSee how ancient Indigenous artists left their mark
Science
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
- Every 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost timeEvery 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost time
- How do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tipsHow do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tips
- Why outdoor adventure is important for women as they ageWhy outdoor adventure is important for women as they age
Travel
- Slow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capitalSlow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capital
- Want to travel like a local? Sleep in a Mongolian yurt or an Amish farmhouseWant to travel like a local? Sleep in a Mongolian yurt or an Amish farmhouse
- Sharing culinary traditions in the orchard-filled highlands of JordanSharing culinary traditions in the orchard-filled highlands of Jordan