Luis Marden (1913–2003,) born Annibale Luigi Paragallo, was an American photographer, explorer, writer, filmmaker, diver, navigator, and linguist, best known for his work with National Geographic Magazine. He pioneered underwater color photography and made significant discoveries in science and exploration.
Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Marden developed an early passion for photography, writing Color Photography with the Miniature Camera (1932,) one of the first books on 35mm color photography. He joined National Geographic in 1934, introducing Kodachrome film and revolutionizing photojournalism.
His adventurous career took him across Central and South America, documenting cultural and natural wonders. In 1957, he discovered the wreck of HMS Bounty off Pitcairn Island, a major maritime find. He also collaborated with Jacques Cousteau aboard the Calypso, developing underwater photography techniques still used today.
His notable publications include The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty (1962,) exploring the famous mutiny, and Underwater Photography: Techniques and Discoveries (1970,) detailing his pioneering methods.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Luis Marden
One lifetime is not enough. Just when you start to learn, it’s time to go.
—Luis Marden
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