Featured Cover Photographer: Doug Perrine

Our cover photographer Doug Perrine says the pictures he takes reflect his love of the ocean. Doug’s captivating photographs of sea life are truly one-of-a-kind. His photographs range from a whale’s eye to dolphins smiling while jumping in mid-air. He has a knack for capturing the moment of these adorable and mesmerizing creatures and may even leave you wondering just how in the world does he do it? Doug’s answer—location, location, location.

“The unique environment of West Hawai‘i makes it possible to encounter marine life under fairly benign sea conditions nearly every day of the year. The normally very clear water here is very advantageous for conducting underwater photography,” he says.

Doug, 63 years young, has been a photographer for more than 30 years. He moved to Hawai‘i 22 years ago, specifically for the environment where he could work on his art and continue to
be inspired.

“Nearly every time I am on or in the ocean I see something I have never seen before—often something that may have never been seen by any person; I am driven to preserve those moments in order to communicate the hidden worlds of the marine environment to people who may never have the chance to see those things personally,” he says.

It’s his passion for water life that also motivates him to take these photographs—to capture their beauty, and to protect it.

“This is a world that is changing constantly, and important components are disappearing or being degraded as all parts of the natural environment sway under the increasing burden of humans and our activities. People cannot care about or be motivated to protect things that are unseen and unknown, so I strive to bring the beauty and majesty of the oceans to public view,” he says.

Doug is able to connect people to the subjects in his photographs by capturing them face-on, and with eye contact if at all possible.

“I also strive for fine details, and intense colors, which is a real challenge in a monochrome environment, where most of the visual field is dominated by shades of blue,” he says.

Limited editions are available at the Kona Oceanfront Gallery, 75-5770 Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona.

Doug’s images will be shown at the Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary “Art at the Pavilion” on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Sheraton Kona Convention Center from 9:30am–4pm.

Contact Doug Perrine: 808.329.4523