Interview: Seizing Underwater Creatures in a Single Inhale – Surreal Vistas Revealed
“Character”
In Matt Draper’s thoughts, no subject is as unpredictable and thus rewarding as the ocean. For over a decade, the photographer has immersed himself in the sea, emerging with fragile, monochromatic images of the marine creatures residing below. While underwater, nothing is arranged, nothing is certain, and each moment must be approached with both agility and delicacy—lest the instant slip away from the camera’s view.
“Capturing wildlife underwater resembles a dialogue more than a mere observation,” Draper conveys to My Modern Met. “The animals dictate the distance, the tempo, the duration. You are merely permitted to observe if they decide to include you, and that authenticity is what makes the medium so sincere.”
This authenticity is central to Draper’s latest photographic collection, Within One Breath, which is currently exhibited through January 11, 2026, at the Leica Gallery in New York. As its name implies, the project centers around images captured within a single breath while freediving, amplifying the drama that characterizes the ethereal, otherworldly settings inhabited by seals, whales, and sharks.
These visuals evoke a unique honesty, illustrating the transitory and ultimately singular nature of each scene. One photo, for example, features a shark with an open mouth, its damaged, rubbery skin depicted with such clarity and tonal richness that it nearly appears as a charcoal sketch. Another image shows a seal suspended in a dark void, appearing as if it is gliding through the cosmos. Taken as a whole, Within One Breath offers a meaningful look into these creatures and their environments, removing any unnecessary elements.
There is, undoubtedly, a physical challenge associated with freediving and photographing in a single breath. However, Draper maintains that there’s a creative benefit from a practical viewpoint.
“I remain at the surface, observe, and then select the precise moment to dive,” he articulates. “I am quieter and less noticeable, which allows the animals to determine how near they wish me to be. That sense of trust plays a significant role in the work.”
Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, the art director and chief representative of Leica Galleries International, resonates with this idea: “Inviting Matt Draper back to Leica is genuinely special, as his artistry reflects patience, deep reverence for nature, and the profound tranquility that is integral to our brand,” she shares with My Modern Met. “Leica’s galleries aim to foster dialogue between images and individuals, and artists like Matt remind us of how photography can inspire when approached with sincerity and intention.”
My Modern Met had the opportunity to speak with Matt Draper regarding his photographic approach, his lasting admiration for the ocean, and the Within One Breath collection. Continue reading for our exclusive discussion with the photographer.
What initially attracted you to photography as your main artistic medium?
That’s an excellent question, and it could be addressed in various ways, particularly from an outcome perspective, but I never aimed to become a photographer. It began as a means to make sense of my surroundings. For a large part of my life, I was involved in construction. The ocean served as my refuge, and the camera became another method of connecting with it.
Photography offered me a voice I previously lacked. It turned into a way to discover ideas and reveal feelings I couldn’t express through other means. The deeper I delved into it, the more I understood it was less about capturing images and more about grasping how I view things, how I think, and what truly matters to me.
I believe creativity can manifest across many different fields. I even reflect on carpentry, which, although it might not have felt like that at the time, is also a form of expression. Photography has been a substantial part of that journey for more than 10 years now, but I am also transitioning into industrial design, which has been quite invigorating as well.
What attracts you to the ocean as a photographic subject, and how does photographing its wildlife contrast with other types of photography?
The ocean is unpredictable, potent, and utterly indifferent, which is precisely what makes it captivating. Nothing is manipulated, nothing is assured, and every moment feels hard-earned. You cannot impose your will on it. You arrive, remain composed, and observe what it offers you.
Capturing wildlife underwater feels like a conversation rather than merely an observation. The animals set the distance, the cadence, the length of time. You are simply granted access if they opt to permit you, and that’s what renders the medium so truthful. The ocean establishes the conditions, but you must be prepared when a moment unfolds.
For Within One Breath, you captured all of the exhibition’s showcased images in a single breath while freediving. How was that experience?
Utilizing a single breath simplifies everything. Time appears to slow, noise diminishes, and you feel entirely engaged. It is the most connected I have felt to the moment rather than just witnessing it.
From a practical standpoint,