Andrew Stevenson’s photographic exhibition of humpback whales at the Bermuda National Gallery is spectacular. The gallery has once again showcased an exhibition of incredible beauty.

The success of this exhibition is, however, in large part owing to the magnificence of the show’s subject; the humpbacked whale. Enormous credit must indeed, go to its researcher and photographer who has spent almost the last two decades studying and photographing humpbacks and has become a recognised authority on the subject. Without his dedication, there would be no such exhibition.

The exhibition title is The Ocean they Inhabit. It was curated by Eve Godet Thomas.

The display consists of five large (40in x 60in) black-and-white photographs, plus a 15-minute full-colour video which was taken from a drone, looking down from above, on a pair of humpbacks.

The photographs were taken by Stevenson back in 2015 on Challenger Bank, some 13 miles southwest of Bermuda. They depict a pair of humpbacks seen up close. The video was also taken by Stevenson.

The large size of each photograph is important in that it conveys something of the sheer bulk of these magnificent giants.

The fact that these photographs are monochromatic is also important in that it replicates the way humpbacks actually see, which is monochromatically.

From a human perspective, restricting these photographs to black and white is also significant in that it seemingly increases their visual impact and power.

The video shows off the whales elongated elegance and also the fact that they are able to move about with considerable efficiency without much movement of fluke or fin.

In an exhibition such as this, the curator, in implementing the exhibition’s plan, is also someone who heads up a team of individuals, each with differing but essential skills necessary for bringing the exhibition to completion.

It was Colourlab who enlarged the black-and-white photographic images, while Frameworks framed them.

The enclosed video room within the BNG’s Watlington Room was designed by Linda Weinraub of Studio Fluent and constructed by Victor Peixoto of Allset Property Management and Maintenance. The BNG exhibition brochure was also designed by Ms Weinraub.

The video is shown on an 80-inch screen.

Growing up here in the midst of the Atlantic, most of us probably have whale stories to tell. I have several myself, but the one I especially remember is not mine at all, but one I heard on either TV or the internet. I do not recall who had this experience, but whoever it was happened to be on a becalmed yacht on the way to Bermuda. While just drifting about one evening they could hear the songs of humpbacks ascending from the depths. I find that incredibly magical.

I understand that humpbacks, especially the males, are notable, perhaps of all whale species, for their prolonged and varied songs.

That said, the BNG’s humpback exhibition does not exhibit recordings of their songs. I understand that this was a purposeful decision, as it was thought that this might move the show away from its artistic aspects to more that of a natural history show.

The exhibition is sponsored by Butterfield Bank. Thank you.

The Ocean They Inhabit: Photographs by Andrew Stevenson continues through September 2023 at the Bermuda National Gallery. Admission is free. It is an exhibition that everyone should see.

∎ Andrew Stevenson will host a talk at the Bermuda National Gallery on Tuesday at 6pm, in which he will be discussing his exhibition and the behaviour of humpback whales in Bermuda’s waters. Tickets, $20 for BNG members and $35 for non-members, can be purchased at BNG