IN MEMORIAM: ERNEST H. BROOKS II

By: Christian Vizl (Mexico)

ADEX Speaker (2020, 2019, 2014)

ADEX VOICE OF THE OCEAN

Judge 2019

ERNIE BROOKS was an extraordinary gentleman who influenced countless lives and whose every word and action came out of love, wisdom and generosity. Son of Ernest H. Brooks, founder of the renowned Brooks Institute of Photography, he was born to be a photographer. After graduating from Brooks Institute, he served on the school’s executive staff until 1971 when he assumed the president’s office, a position he held until 2000. His impressively long list of achievements combined with his unique vision of love and light made him a legend, but what made him a true hero of our times was his love for the planet, people, and all animal life; his mission to make a difference, to focus on our water planet and the value and opportunity it gives us to live and flourish; and his unerring ability to give back to the next generation.

Years before I met the man, I met the legend through his transcendental book Silver Seas: A

Retrospective, a masterful black-and-white tribute to the oceans and the beauty that lies beneath the waves. I remember looking closely at each one of his beautiful images, and through his art, I immediately felt his passion and was transported to a world of magic and wonder. Then I read his dedication: “This book is dedicated to those who explore our oceans; to those who continue the quest for its understanding.

It is with their knowledge that we shall learn to protect all ocean life, for only through such effort will man ensure his own future.” What a visionary! Right then, I knew that I wanted to learn everything about this great man. I was hugely inspired, like so many other underwater photographers around the world.

Years later, I had the privilege of meeting Ernie for the first time at the 2013 DEMA Show in Florida, where I was generously invited to attend by a mutual friend, Michael Aw. Among other things, I took the opportunity to present the first draft of my black-and-white book. Everybody wanted to be around Ernie, and he greeted each and every person with the kindest smile, always ready to give the warmest hugs. In all his interactions with other people, he offered his entire loving and generous attention, fulfilling his mission of giving back to the next generation in every moment he spent us.

There will be a time in your life that a single photograph will change the way you view life on this ‘water planet’

ERNEST H. BROOKS II