Nina Banks displays her photography.
Nina Banks’ underwater photographs are being featured at the Heritage House during the month of February.
Nina came to Cayman Brac many years ago and worked as a nurse at Faith Hospital until she retired a few years ago to manage the Cayman Breakers Condominiums, located on Cayman Brac’s rugged southeast coastline.
A certified diver since 1991, Nina is currently in the process of getting her master diver’s certification.
Visitors to this exhibit will be treated to a glimpse of the magnificence and stark beauty of marine life.
There’s Charlie the seahorse, who with the ease of any experienced model, appears to strike a pose on demand; then there’s the Numb Fish lying still on the seafloor, so camouflaged in his natural surrounding, that it could easily be mistaken for a part of the coral formation; Tommy the Turtle appears ready to leap out of the confines of a photograph. A specially framed print of this famous shot was prepared for presentation to HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, on his recent visit to Cayman Brac.
Through an underwater digital photography course with Cathy Church on Grand Cayman, Nina learnt many ‘tricks of the trade’ which help her to capture rare pictures in very challenging conditions. She specialises in photographs of all marine life and the many wrecks located throughout the Cayman Islands.
Nina enjoys sharing her undersea experiences through this medium. “Shooting underwater is simultaneously exhilarating and relaxing, involving many skills such as neutral buoyancy, breath control and concentration on subjects that keep moving,” said Nina.
According to Nina, underwater photography is unique in the sense that it is art and science combined. The science of shutter speeds, ISO, lens characteristics and F-stops are combined with the art of composition and colour to produce visuals of nature at its finest – under the sea.
“I know these are God’s creations and to be able to enjoy it to this extent is totally awesome,” says Nina. She quickly added, with a characteristic twinkle in her eye, “And every chance I get, you will find me exploring and taking pictures of these beautiful creatures under the sea.”
Those who miss the exhibition may also view Nina’s work on her website: caymancondosonline.com.
