Interview: Cristina Mittermeier on the NG series "Photographer"

In the National Geographic series "Photographer", we follow along on a journey with some of the world's best photographers as they carry out their photo assignments over six episodes. The episodes are an hour long and allow the photographer to tell about their photography, their assignments, and thoughts.

In the first episode "Win or Die", we join marine biologist and conservation photographer Cristina Mittermeier as she sails to the Bahamas with her partner Paul Nicklen, who is also a National Geographic photographer - to capture the scenes of the beautiful sea and the life within it, which is threatened by the oil industry's advance.

Camera & Image interviewed Cristina Mittermeier about the documentary series, but also to learn more about her life as a photographer, and what has driven her to constantly strive so hard in her dangerous missions, to tell her stories to the world.

By capturing both the activity of the whales and simultaneously approaching the oil rig Stena Icemax, they hope to capture the feeling of what can happen to nature, the animals, and what we may lose when disaster strikes.

- We want to remind people that all life and nature still exist, but we must protect it. If we can protect this, then we can protect it everywhere, Cristina begins on the question of why she traveled to the Bahamas.

- I am introverted and find it difficult to be in front of the camera myself, but those who filmed us are friends and National Geographic photographers, so it went well. And since storytelling is so powerful in getting people to believe in something, we choose to tell the stories based on what happens around us. How do we stop plastic pollution? I think we need to remind people about what is happening and take better care of our planet, explains Cristina.

What content do you find most important in your photography to tell a story to the viewer?

- The ingredients are always the same, I want to create images that create a connection, that act as a bridge to build empathy towards the natural world, and it starts with curiosity. But it has to be an invitation to an adventure. The viewer should feel that it is they who are spending time with the whales. If we can get the feeling of our beautiful planet moving through the universe - and that every species means something - that's what I want to show with my pictures.

- But every time you go down into the sea, I also feel that you almost sign a contract that you are now part of the food chain - you don't know what might happen. I recently had the opportunity to spend time with southern right whales, whales that migrate between Antarctica, New Zealand, Australia, and you often can't be near them because they are endangered - they have gone from 45,000 to 300 individuals, but now that they are protected they have recovered to the current 3,000. It's life-changing when you meet these animals that are so intelligent. It's the first time I meet a whale that does a U-turn and comes back and has an eye that is almost human. I want to know what she's thinking, I want to talk to her and ask questions. Such encounters are absolutely incredible.

You have worked in over 130 countries and seen the world - what's the next step?

- I have a long list of things I want to do. The Mediterranean and the Red Sea - there are such vast seas out there that there's a lot I want to see. I believe there is much we can learn from the elders and I want to spend time with the indigenous people that exist. I want the next ten years to really mean something.

Do you feel there is a difference now with those who work in conservation photography? There have been many men working in the field - but now increasingly more women - is this something you have also reflected on?

- First and foremost, congratulations to Melissa Schäfer and Mother Magazine - I think it's fantastic that she dedicates an entire magazine to women's work, and I am proud to be featured in the magazine. What I believe has happened is that photography has been so male-dominated with heavy equipment, but now cameras are so much smaller and simpler, so I think many women have overcome that barrier. I was inspired by photographers Beverly Joubert and Jodi Cobb from National Geographic - they showed us that women can work at the absolute highest level. And I hope that I can inspire the younger generation of women that they can do this - and must do this - because we need so many more to tell the story.

What tips do you have for someone who wants to work as a photographer?

- It's like a marathon. The most important thing is to know that it's a lifelong career, it doesn't happen overnight. You have to know so much, so you have to be calm - make sure to give it time.

How powerful is the camera?

- I believe the camera is the most powerful tool we have. I was at an exhibition by Robert Capa once, who was the first photographer to enter our living rooms. I feel that the horrors we now see with the climate and biodiversity is a war - and our job as photographers is to ensure that all of this is present in our daily lives so that we don't forget that it's urgent - and that it will require all of us to help.

Photographer

Paul Nicklen & Cristina Mittermeier: Win or die

Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier fell in love while photographing during their first joint dive in Yucatan. Now they use their images and millions of followers online to create change and protect the oceans. Inspired by Jacques Cousteau, the couple embarks on a four-year global expedition off the Bahamas, where they fight to protect marine life from oil drilling.

Anand Varma: Hidden Wonders

Anand Varma, known for capturing the secrets of nature through his images, struggles to figure out how to document the development of an egg into a chicken. At the same time, he reflects on his own development, from a child obsessed with fish to a young photographer taking iconic images of hummingbirds, bees, bats, and jellyfish, to starting his own educational institute.

Krystle Wright: Heart Explosions

The world-renowned adventure photographer Krystle Wright is on a mission to regain momentum in her career after a longer break. While photographing one of the season's most dangerous hurricanes and a climber in the light of a supermoon, she shares the highs and lows of her extraordinary lifestyle.

Muhammed Muheisen: Finding the Light

Muhammed Muheisen, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer known for depicting the conflict in the Middle East, left journalism at the peak of his career to become an advocate. Instead of heading to the front lines, he now works with refugee families, using his work to share glimpses of light in the darkness and shed new light on the global refugee crisis.

Dan Winters: Life is Once. Forever.

Dan Winters is one of the most acclaimed photographers working today and is at the height of his career. However, his many professional successes have also come at a personal cost. As Dan photographs the Artemis launch and the shipyards in Bangladesh, he reflects on the peaks and valleys of his brilliant career.

Campbell Addy: Feeling Seen

At the age of 30, British-Ghanaian photographer Campbell Addy has reached the pinnacle of fashion photography, having photographed famous celebrities like Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, and Meghan Markle. After fearing that he is becoming too commercial, Addy decides to hold his first solo exhibition as an artist.

The National Geographic series Photographer is now available to watch on Disney Plus and National Geographic.