Under the Surface

Each summer, young explorers from Northwest Passage set out for adventures that few have experienced. They bravely submerge themselves in rivers and lakes to learn about and document underwater ecosystems. The stunning photographs that result from these expeditions have been featured in books, films, and witnessed by over one million people at exhibits around the United States. These photographs represent the kids' exploration and discovery of the underwater world, and of themselves.

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"Swirls" by Madigan, 17 | Under the Surface 2019

Moving up,
Moving on.
Leaving my demons in the past.
Looking ahead.
Looking for something, anything,
To hold on to
Other than you.
New memories, vivid, alive.
Drone out the noise in my
Head.
I remember you.
We were chilling on Theresa.
Different place, different cars.
Too many unfamiliar faces.
The world buzzed around us.
It was just us.
The memory of you swirling
Around.
Drowning me.
Suffocating me.
Swirls.

About Madigan: I came to NWP because I was making some really dangerous choices. Since coming to NWP I have faced many challenges, some including discovering myself and what I want to do with my life. I’ve learned that family needs to come first and the importance of self-care. At NWP I was given the opportunity to do nature photography and underwater photography through the In a New Light program (IANL). IANL has taught me to look beneath the surface because from above, it’s almost impossible to see the wonders that lie beneath the surface. Spending time in nature has also taught me to pay attention to detail. There’s a lot of things that the naked eye is nearly blind to, but with a camera and a zoom lens you can see a lot more. My favorite memory is when we were at a small dam called Minerva Dam. I went under the water and as soon as I opened my eyes underwater I saw that there were hundreds and hundreds of small sunfish surrounding me. It was really beautiful.

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Under the Surface