Vincent Hyland - Marine photograph

Vincent Hyland is a marine wildlife film maker, photographer and artist. He sells his prints, paintings and DVDs, and specialises in producing digital content for Vincenteducational use.

Vincent did a degree in geology. However, he was always interested in marine science and wildlife. He remembers being fascinated by water life and the work of Eamon de Buitléar and Jacques Cousteau when growing up. This led him to take up scuba diving and underwater film, both activities which he has nurtured throughout his career.

His film subjects include whale sharks and hammerhead sharks, filmed in the Galapagos Islands in 2000. He has also produced “Ireland Seabirds and Marine life”, a DVD exploring our fascinating marine wildlife above and below water. Vincent is also a talented artist, producing marine wildlife illustrations for magazines, newspapers and books.

Degree

BSc (Geology), NUI Galway, 1983

Background

Vincent is originally from Dublin. He worked for Microsoft in technical publishing, digital media and business development, before setting up an award-winning Irish wildlife and environmental website and magazine ‘Wild Ireland’, in 1999.

What’s so brilliant about your job?

“The sea gives me a real sense of freedom. You not only develop an in-depth knowledge of the sea but also of the marine flora and fauna that inhabit it. Having dived and filmed marine wildlife in places from Antarctica to the Galapagos Islands, you learn to appreciate what we have at home here.”

“I also love the science behind the wildlife I film. I can invoke my knowledge of digital technology to bring to life what I do best. The unpredictable nature of my work is a good thing – it keeps the mind active.”

What do you like least about your job?

“When I am at home editing my work, I sometimes wish that I was back out there in the wild.”

How do you spend a typical day?

“If I am at sea, planning and implementing the day’s diving and filming routine. If I am in research mode, finding out the best places to record what I am filming – habitat, behaviour and likelihood of encountering.”

“If I am at home editing, assessing the best sequences and assembling. Or painting – seeing a blank canvass develop into a picture of marine wildlife through my eyes. Or building my website – working at the design, writing and editing to get the best representation of what I am trying to put across. Or teaching – seeing children’s reactions to the marine wildlife I have recorded.”

Does your work require a lot of equipment?

“Yes – from computers and software to underwater lights, camera housings, boats, diving gear, safety equipment, communication gear and transport.”

Are you a science/engineering/technology nerd?

“Yes. I love the technical side to portable computing and digital broadcasting – bringing rich content to people. I am particularly interested in alternatives to the linear representation of the world through television.”

Did those subjects give you a buzz at school?

“These subjects were not available at school but yes, I am passionate about science and art also. I believe the creative mind has a lot to do with our ability to visualize and solve the mysteries that science seeks to answer.”

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

“Wild Ireland magazine, filming and webcasting Jackie and Daw (the natural nesting behaviour of a pair of jackdaws) and producing the DVD Ireland – Seabirds and Marine life.”

Learn more on Vincent’s website