Canberra artist John Reid photographed a piscine creature in the wild rivers of SE Australia in 1988. Since then he has produced an impressive documentation of this shy and elusive being - called Fishman because of its human-like appearance - as well as photographing the exquisite landscape that is its domain.

"The Fishman", someone uttered. The term, like a virus, quickly passed everyone's lips. Now we had words as well as pictures. We were acutely conscious that together they advanced a powerful proposition, and one with astounding implications. … I have resolved to maintain control over the results of our fieldwork, and to document Fishman in the context of the landscape with its mysteries and visual subtleties.

JR. Journal entry: January 1988