Blue Diver Photography

Photographer: Brian E. Ries

Brian is a devoted husband, father, and passionate observer of the world, both above and below water. His journey into photography began with a Nikonos II camera, a 1960s relic passed down from his father, and a desire to share the wonders of the underwater world. At peace beneath the waves, camera in hand, he captured the unseen beauty of the deep.

Brian's underwater adventures have taken him to iconic diving destinations, including Chuuk Lagoon in Micronesia, where he explored the wreck of the San Francisco Maru and photographed a Japanese artillery tank that had fascinated him since childhood. Other highlights include the Gálapagos Islands, Costa Rica's Cocos Island, Colombia's Malpelo Island, Mexico's Guadalupe Island, and the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.

Today, Brian focuses on land-based photography, seeking fresh perspectives and uncovering unique angles. Inspired by his early days of film photography, he remains dedicated to capturing the essence of a moment or scene - that snapshot in time.

Currently based in Bloomington, Minnesota, USA, Brian continues to tell stories through his lens and poetry, reflecting his deep connection to what he sees and what he imagines in his mind.

Photographs and Poems ©Brian E. Ries

A Day at the Zoo

At the zoo, you’ll find creatures that fill you with glee,

On the land, in the water, and high in a tree.

There are animals clad in fur, feathers, and scales,

Living through heat, icy cold, and fierce windy gales.

You will hear eerie howls, harsh shrieks, and piercing caws,

And see razor-sharp talons, strong beaks, and toothy maws.

Eyes with round pupils, slit shapes, or rectangles quite square,

And young cubs, gangly fawns, or kits ferocious yet rare.

With patterns of stripes, dots, or spots in a blur,

In a flock, swarm, or herd, they all seem to occur.

Their colors are vivid, muted, or strikingly bold,

From gray, green, and blue to warm browns and pure gold.

They slither, they scurry, they leap, soar, or glide,

They may chase, charge, or sneak, and on rampage collide.

Some dine on fruits, leaves, or bugs; some may hunger for you.

There’s a world full of wonders awaiting at the zoo.

A Deeper Feeling

At depths around a hundred feet,

There’s a freedom that fills my soul.

I drift in weightless, pure surrender,

A tranquil peace that makes me whole.

The surface world feels long forgotten,

Its burdens left so far behind.

Ninety feet above, it lingers faintly,

As my cares begin to unwind.

The tides and currents move my spirit,

The ocean’s song, a siren’s call.

Among the dolphins, I’ve found family,

Their presence soothes me most of all.

My heart belongs to Mother Ocean,

Her vast embrace dissolves my doubt.

Unanchored, free, I find my purpose—

That is what diving’s all about.