ENTRY DESCRIPTION
“See how elastic our stiff prejudices grow when love once comes to bend them.”

Herman Melville’s mid-19th century novel immortalized the figure of the sperm whale. And while interpretations of a story can vary, the “antagonist” generally signified the raw power and ferocity of nature. Growing up with little knowledge of the whales themselves, I would distinctly envision the jagged teeth and aggressive nature of the animal based on the story alone.

For nearly two centuries, these giants were hunted commercially for the waxy substance (spermaceti) found in their heads for which they are named. While commercial whaling was outlawed in 1986, the number of sperm whales is still recovering from the human impact. The animals are considered a vulnerable species today.

When you join them in the water, the “man versus beast” narrative is instantly quashed. In the most common encounter with the whales, you witness a casual interest in your presence as they effortlessly swim past you. In the more unique encounters when you get to see the whales sleeping or socializing at the surface, you can’t help but draw a connection to them. They rub heads as they twirl amongst each other – the most graceful 40-ton ballet dancers that you will ever come across. They will “click” you inside-out, but only to make sense of their visitors. They are curious to your presence, but never threatening.

It is in these moments in the seemingly endless expanses of the sea, watching the animals spend time with one another, that you begin to understand that their comfort comes from closeness, not distance; from touch, not personal space. You start to realize that we might just be more similar to these giants than we thought.

AUTHOR
Eric's interest in photography began when his parents gave him an old film camera to use for his course in high school. While the class initially served as an escape from his rigorous biology and chemistry courses, it would eventually become the catalyst for each of his interests and passions melding into one. The film process revealed the "magic" of how science and technology could immortalize a scene in front of him. With this, his creative side would soon be unlocked.

Eric earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Wake Forest University. He enjoyed his courses in physiology, molecular biology, and genetics, but it was ecology that grabbed his attention. The idea that life, across species and geographies, is intertwined resonated with him long after his classes concluded.

This concept has driven much of Eric's travel and work to date. He seeks to explore new cultures, new areas of the world, and unique wildlife with the hope that his images can deliver that same empowering idea to others that he felt in his studies — that we can all share some connection and hold interest in other people and living things, even when the link might not be apparent.

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