PHOTOGRAPHING DISABILITY ACTIVIST JESSICA PITA FOR THE GUARDIAN

JULY 2023

PHOTOGRAPHING DISABILITY ACTIVIST JESSICA PITA FOR THE GUARDIAN

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Jessica Pita, PADI’s first blind scuba diver from South Africa, for an article for The Guardian newspaper. Her journey is a testament to resilience, humor, and the power of embracing the unknown.

Jessica lost her sight at 11 due to optic atrophy, but diving has helped her regain confidence and trust in others. Underwater, she experiences the ocean in ways many overlook—listening to the “sea orchestra” of crackling coral and feeling the subtle movements of marine life around her. With her diving buddy using tactile signals to guide her, Jessica navigates the underwater world with a sense of freedom and calm.

Moments of humor, like when her buddy hummed the Jaws theme to alert her to a passing shark, showcase her lighthearted approach to adventure. Watching her confidently gear up and dive reflects her independence and strength.

Jessica’s story is a powerful reminder that disability doesn’t limit experience—it redefines it. Through her advocacy, she inspires us to embrace inclusivity and to connect deeply with both people and the natural world. It was a privilege to capture her incredible journey.

You can read the article here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/22/jessica-pita-blind-scuba-diver-coral-reef-sea-orchestra

To learn more about Jessica you can go to her website: https://flyingblindsa.com/

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PBS DOCUMENTARY WHEN WHALES WALKED THAT CINEMATOGRAPHER CHRIS SCARFFE WORKED ON

BEHIND THE LENS: FILMING FOR PBS - WHEN WHALES WALKED: JOURNEYS IN DEEP TIME

By Chris Scarffe • January 12, 2025

Working as a cinematographer for the PBS documentary When Whales Walked: Journeys in Deep Time was an unforgettable experience that brought together my love for wildlife storytelling and conservation. This documentary delves into the evolutionary history of some of Earth's most iconic creatures, including whales, birds, elephants, and crocodiles, unraveling how these species adapted and flourished over millions of years.

Filmmaker Chris Scarffe filming aerials for Planet Wild

BEHIND THE SCENES OF A NEW CONSERVATION FILM FOR PLANET WILD

By Chris Scarffe • December 10, 2024

It’s always a privilege to work on projects that aim to make a difference, and the upcoming film I’ve had the honor of filming for Planet Wild is no exception. Planet Wild is a nature protection organization dedicated to restoring our planet’s ecosystems by bringing back endangered species, cleaning up oceans, and rewilding forests. They build a global community of people who care deeply about the planet and want to give back to nature. The team behind Planet Wild is truly refreshing in their approach to wildlife conservation—focusing not only on the big-picture global issues but also on supporting local grassroots organizations that are often the true drivers of change. This unique blend of local empowerment and conservation focus sets them apart. The crew on this project was fantastic—professional, passionate, and dedicated to telling the story with authenticity. But it wasn’t just about the crew. The local communities we worked with were incredibly welcoming,

Filmmaker Chris Scarffe is selected again to be on the jury for the US International Awards

HONOURED TO BE SELECTED AGAIN TO JUDGE THE US INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

By Chris Scarffe • October 17, 2024

I’m thrilled to share that I have been invited once again to join the judging panel for the 2025 US International Awards. After witnessing the incredible talent and creativity showcased by last year’s winners, I know this year’s nominees have a lot to live up to!

Conservation filmmaker and photographer preparing his camera equipment to dive

PHOTOGRAPHING CONSERVATION FILMMAKER & PHOTOGRAPHER MICHEL STROGOFF FOR THE GUARDIAN

By Chris Scarffe • September 23, 2024

The first time Michel Strogoff saw a great white shark, he was pulling it out of his net. He wasn’t in awe of its power or beauty—he was thinking about survival. Strogoff grew up in Andavadoaka, a remote fishing village on Madagascar’s southwest coast, where the Vezo people rely on the ocean for their livelihood. As a teenager, he left school and became a shark fisherman, killing up to 50 sharks a day to support his family.

CCT Ranger, Duong Van Dung sets a camera trap in a project supported by WildAct

CAPTURING CONSERVATION: WILDACT'S IMPACT IN VIETNAM

By Chris Scarffe • July 25, 2024

On assignment for Synchronicity Earth, I had the honor of filming and photographing WildAct’s vital conservation efforts in Vietnam. From combating the devastating impact of wildlife traps to promoting gender equality, WildAct is driving change for both biodiversity and communities.

GreenViet are working to protect the Red-shanked douc langur

DOCUMENTING THE CONSERVATION WORK OF GREENVIET IN VIETNAM

By Chris Scarffe • June 29, 2024

While filming and photographing the vital conservation efforts of the NGO GreenViet in Vietnam, I was very impressed by their commitment to protecting the critically endangered grey-shanked and red-shanked douc langurs. These stunning primates, known for their vibrant colors, face significant threats from habitat loss and poaching.

AND THE WINNER IS! 2024 US INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED

By Chris Scarffe • June 26, 2024

It was an absolute honor to judge the 2024 US International Awards, where the standard of documentaries was nothing short of extraordinary. The incredible quality of storytelling made it almost impossible to separate the entries, reflecting the immense talent and dedication of all the filmmakers involved.

Sunset over the mountains of Borneo in Malaysia, photographed on assignment for Synchronicity Earth

ON ASSIGNMENT IN BORNEO FOR SYNCHRONICITY EARTH

By Chris Scarffe • June 4, 2024

I had an incredible time in Borneo documenting the fantastic work of Taskforce Against Kaiduan Dam (TAKAD) a community movement which is working to protect community rights and biodiversity in Sabah, Malaysia. The principal purpose for this trip was to create high quality media that can be used by both TAKAD and Synchronicity Earth to aid in defending the rights of the Dusun community and their customary land against the creation of a mega-dam known as the Ulu Papar/Kaiduan Dam.

RESEARCHING WILDLIFE TOURISM IN RWANDA

By Chris Scarffe • February 16, 2024

I spent some time recently in Rwanda researching for a project into the pros and cons of wildlife tourism in primates. The topic is a very emotive one and a subject I know well having produced and directed the investigative documentary Eyes of the Orangutan which aired recently on National Geographic. Therefore I was very curious to see how the gorilla trek and visit to the habituated group of golden monkeys compared to what I had witnessed in the orangutan wildlife tourism industry. Along the way I spoke with a range of people involved in this highly lucrative industry to try and better understand the conservation and community positives and negatives of these operations.

An indri lemur in the forest of Madagascar

ON ASSIGNMENT IN MADAGASCAR FOR MALIASILI

By Chris Scarffe • February 9, 2024

Editing these photos has brought back great memories of a recent trip to cover the conservation work of the Malagasy NGO GERP. I was there on assignment for Maliasili for the first in a series of photography projects that will highlight the work of some of the partner organisations that they support in Madagascar. The principal purpose for each of these trips is to create high quality media that can be used by each local partner organisation to help with impact, educational and funding campaigns.