Ann Elias is Professor Emeritus at the University of Sydney, Australia. Recent work in the field of visual culture addresses underwater optics and subaquatic animals. Books include the history of camouflage in art, science and war, the cultural history of flowers, and early twentieth century underwater photography at the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and the Bahamas. Current research investigates an underwater history of Sydney Harbour with a special focus on the history of deep sea divers.