Face to Face with Great Whites – Photographs by Ralph Clevenger

Face to Face with Great Whites by Ralph A. Clevenger is an exhibition of twelve 32ʺx 48ʺ fine-art photographs on mounted canvas featuring great white sharks off the coasts of Mexico and Australia.

The great white shark is the only known survivor of the prehistoric genus Carcharodon, and one of the world’s apex predators. It is generally accepted that they grow up to 23 feet long, give birth to live young, and are found predominantly in temperate and tropical seas. Most active during the day, their preferred prey is marine mammals (including sea lions, dolphins, and elephant seals) and fish (including other sharks and rays). Highly adaptable, great white sharks can shift their diet and habitats as needed.

Although most people are aware of great white sharks, relatively little is actually known about them because of their scarcity and reclusive behavior. The total population is unknown and even local estimates are questionable as great white sharks are caught by fisherman in increasing numbers, which may be cause for concern for the species.

Working underwater and in submerged cages, Clevenger was able to take the dramatic images presented in the Face-to-Face with the Great Whites exhibit, providing viewers with an up close view of these magnificent creatures. In Clevenger’s words, his photography “better allows us to understand time and help to demystify their reputation as ‘ferocious man-eaters.’”