A Surfer’s Behind the Lens: Peter Snell

Travis Stassart (Surfer)

As Southern California Waterman by weekend and seasoned Hollywood Blockbuster Music Editor by trade, Peter “Oso” Snell is no stranger to the power of an image, moving picture or sound when unfolding a story or feeling. With a unique eye for all things native to Malibu: surfers, Great Whites, kelp and its forest inhabitants, Peter creates a narrative of light and awareness of the power of the sea with each of his captures. Be sure to check out Oso’s prints online, and if you are local to Los Angeles, stop by Malibu Divers and Gnarwhal Coffee to grab a copy of his book that supports Shark Allies initiatives: “Great White Sharks of Guadalupe Island”.

SC: When did you first jump in the ocean with a camera in your hands, what drew you to a life in the water and wanting to capture it?

PS: It was in 1982, I was 14 and lucky enough to attend summer camp at Emerald Bay on Catalina. I had acquired a used Nikonos IV film camera and took it for a snorkel at Doc’s Cove. I remember that adventure vividly as I encountered a moray eel and a nurse shark, my first shark in the wild. I remember I shot the whole roll of film on that dive and couldn't wait to get back to the mainland so I could get the film developed.

SC: You are a seasoned freediver and surf photographer, capturing life above and below the surface in Malibu. What are the similarities and differences of surf and wildlife photography? Are you drawn to one more than the other?

PS: With surf photography things happen very quickly. Typically I’m shooting 1/1000 th of a second or faster. There are two types of surf photography I do, empties and surfers. I love shooting “empties” as there is only one subject “the wave”. I consider this work, akin to an action landscape shot. My objective here is to  freeze the water mid air showing off all of the cool shapes and textures that waves can make as the lip heaves, while incorporating a sunrise or landscape in the background. When I get to shoot with a surfer, it is a partnership, and the mission is to catch the surfer doing something cool. There is a lot to consider when hunting the prized barrel shot with a surfer.

Which way are they gonna want to go on the wave, left or right?

Am I fighting a current, is it too strong for me to hold a position?

In these cases where the surf gets big and the currents are running fierce, we’ll work together and adopt a strategy that will give us a few opportunities at the choice conditions. One strategy I’ve used is to jump in up current and drift through the sweet spot where the best waves are happening. Doesn’t hurt to say nice things to mother blue / pray that we get rewarded with a sweet wave right as we’re drifting into “the spot”.

Unlike surf photography, events while diving happen at a slower pace. I tend to shoot around 1/500 th of a second, most of the time. I prefer freediving and shooting with available light (no strobes or flash) as I tend to have better wild life interactions this way. Because I don’t bring light into the ocean I find the first 30’ to be where I do most of my image making. Much deeper and we start to loose a lot of the color spectrum, the reds go first. When diving I’m always assessing how the light is filtering through the water, anticipating and yes… praying to mother blue to send me a curious creature for a cool encounter.

As for being drawn to one or another… I thoroughly enjoy both types of photography. I just love to grab a camera and jump in the ocean. I get so excited when I capture something cool that I can share. I love turning people on to what's going on under the sea.

SC: Any tips for budding underwater and surf cinematographers, where is a good place to start or something that helped you fine-tune your skill?

PS: Just like any skill, you need to do it often. Sometimes when we go to shoot we get skunked and don’t come home with any good images. I call that paying dues… And I tell myself, “I’m one session closer to an epic image.” Now, go clean the gear, format the cards, charge the batteries and prep for that next and possible epic session. I find the best way to really hone your skills is in a pool. A pool offers us the ideal conditions where you can play and experiment.

SC: The water in Southern California can be tricky but extremely rewarding to shoot in, through light rays in the kelp forest, or behind a wave of sand and water. Any tips for the conditions or preferred equipment?

PS: I keep an eye on the tides and swell height. If the surf comes up I look to shoot surfers and empties. When the swell goes flat I shift gears and start to look to places where I might find good visibility, and get some freediving in. Hot tip, If I’m looking to do some diving from a beach I always try to go on a rising tide. My equipment, I primarily shoot with an Aquatech “splash housing” for my Canon cameras. These housings are only rated to a depth of 30’, which suits me fine as I generally don’t have much need/desire to go deeper. That whole available light thing ;) When I want to go deeper I move to scuba, and break out a full on dive housing.

SC: You’ve had the chance to dive with Great Whites in Guadalupe and other charismatic megafauna in Socorro and more. What was your first thought locking eyes with a white shark, as a long-time waterman? Have you had any chance encounters in the surf?

PS: Yes, I have had 2 encounters as a surfer with Great Whites. It was during my college and early working years up in Humboldt County. The first encounter was at the North Jetty in Eureka and the other was off Point St. George in Crescent City. Both encounters, were peaceful and investigative on the sharks part. It was a bit like the cops showing up at a raging party, everyone in the line up exited the water smoothly and swiftly trying not to draw attention to themselves. Neither of these encounters kept me from surfing, they did however, pique my curiosity about sharks A LOT.

Many years after, when my first opportunity to dive with Great Whites in Guadalupe presented itself, I leapt at the chance. And I’m so glad I did, as I will never forget that first time I was eye to eye with a beautiful, mysterious, elusive and powerful apex predator. I remember my breathing stopped, sound seemed to become dim, there was a tiny spike of adrenaline causing my fingers to tingle, she was swimming towards me, she got so close I could see the blue iris of her eye. When I moved she tracked me. “I was just acknowledged by a shark”, I felt suddenly connected to this magnificent creature. All of the “monster mystique” fell away, and my empathy for this creature exploded. I could never have imagined a personal journey that would have led me there. The feelings I have for this apex predator leave me inspired and compelled to share my revelations and images. I’m so hooked… I just love to be in their presence. After doing several trips out to Guadalupe, Stef encouraged me to put a book together showing off what it’s like to be face to face with them.

SC: Did diving with sharks shift your perspective, or have you always had a respect and fascination for them and their territory?

PS: Yes, my empathy for sharks and all creatures of the sea has grown with every visit to the sea. I've always known that when I step into the ocean I'm stepping into “the wilderness” it's not my home, I’m a guest here.

SC: How would you characterize the relationship between surfers and sharks, any messages for the media?

PS: “Respectful intelligence!” That is what surfers need to exercise to co-exist with sharks. A surfer is a guest in the sharks home. The biggest thing a surfer can do to avoid a negative interaction with a shark is to avoid becoming a point of interest to a shark. Avoid hanging out in murky water. If you cannot see into the water, chances are the shark cannot see well either, that puts you at risk of becoming a mistaken prey.

For the media: Surfers, swimmers and in general humans are not on the sharks menu! Sharks are NOT the bad guys, if anything we are! We (the human race) need to shift our perspective from, “What can we take from this planet”, to “how can we care for this planet”.

SC: Professionally, you are an incredible Hollywood Music Editor, with a slew of blockbuster hits under your belt. Do you think the entertainment industry has played a part in the man-eating view of sharks?

PS: Oh, you're incredibly kinda say so, thank you. Yes, ever since the entertainment industry unleashed the 1975 film “Jaws” sharks have been mis labeled as “eating machines” and on their menus you can find “humans” are their favorite ‘hors d'oeuvre. As we now know this is not true, but it has taken generations of passionate hard working ocean advocates to begin to dispel this misconception/lie. Unfortunately, this work is not done and we need to keep up the good fight.

SC: It has been said that a lot of ocean advocates come from the surf and dive communities, as they are the ones truly connected to the sea day in and day out. Do you think your time in the ocean has driven you to protect it?

PS: Most definitely~! Mother blue has been my greatest teacher. She has humbled me with beatings in the surf, inspired me to explore with visual treasures, animal encounters, she’s also lifted my spirits and soothed my soul when I was broken. It saddens me as, in my lifetime I have watched mother blue get sicker and sicker living downstream from us/humans. When I was a kid my memories of swimming at Zuma in Malibu were of whomping waves, clear blue water and warm sand. Now when I surf at Zuma, I stuff more pieces of trash in my wetsuit than waves I find to ride. It bums me out, then eventually drives me. Make more images that show how beautiful Mother Blue and all of her wondrous creatures are. I hope that will inspire some to consider our oceans and make an effort in the form of different daily decisions that improve our world. (e.g. stop buying plastic and don’t be a litterbug).

SC: How can hobbyists use their passion for good?

PS: I would encourage anyone interested in the ocean to go spend time in and around it. Share your stories, encounters, lessons and images with others. Help to connect others with the ocean so they too will care about the sea.

SC: Any hopes for the future of shark conservation and the ocean?

PS: I do hope, that we as a species will find our true place on this earth and take up being the custodians and guardians of this amazing planet. With organizations like Shark Allies fighting in the courts to make shark finning illegal, and generating the educational narrative that we need sharks to keep our oceans in balance… I hold hope for a brighter future for us and our seas.