Field Research and Underwater Practice in the Sea of Cortez
David Andres’ investigation into marine ecosystems began in the early 1980s through sustained fieldwork and underwater observation. After completing formal scuba training in 1983, he began long-term diving research in the Sea of Cortez, focusing on the central Gulf of California near Guaymas and Nuevo San Carlos, as well as along the Baja California Sur coastline.
Through repeated dives over many years, Andres developed a direct, experiential understanding of marine life, underwater light, and fragile ecological systems. These extended encounters formed the foundation of his underwater photography practice and later informed his painting and printmaking work. His approach is rooted in firsthand observation rather than documentary spectacle, emphasizing continuity, familiarity, and long-term environmental change.
Andres taught himself the fundamentals of underwater and amphibious photography while working alongside experienced divers. He has consistently used a Nikonos V amphibious 35mm film camera, a system derived from the original Calypso design developed for underwater exploration. Working exclusively with slide film, primarily Kodachrome and Fujichrome, he maintains strict fidelity to the original image. Photographs are translated into archival digital prints on 100% cotton rag paper without digital manipulation or enhancement.
Long-term immersion in the Sea of Cortez allowed Andres to observe shifts in marine behavior, biodiversity, and habitat conditions over decades. These observations established the conceptual basis for later work addressing overfishing, gillnetting, plastic waste, and ecological degradation.
Additional research occurred during a six-month artist residency in the Dominican Republic, where Andres conducted extensive dives along the southeastern coast near La Romana. During this period, he encountered coral bleaching firsthand, an experience that significantly expanded his investigation into climate change and marine vulnerability. These observations directly informed the development of the Coral Reef painting series, which examines large-scale environmental loss through material, process, and abstraction.
Across all locations, Andres’ practice remains grounded in sustained field research, repetition, and physical engagement with marine environments. Although his diving frequency has decreased in recent years, his work continues to be shaped by decades of direct underwater experience and long-term ecological study.