About Underwater Photography

Underwater Imaging

We can not know who made the first dive into an ocean millions of years ago, but we know that the need, the hunger and the love to explore the underwater world has never stopped, starting with that first plunge.

Even though humankind has been creating newer, better and more advanced technologies year after year, we still do not know all the mysteries hiding within the beauty of the deep.

Underwater imaging (photography and videography) has been the gateway between the two different universes. Since the first underwater image taken in the late 19^th century, there has been a giant leap in the underwater imaging technology. From the age of glass plates, to film cameras and today’s highly capable digital cameras photographers and videographers all around the world are carrying the beauty of underwater to the people above.

CMAS – Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatique – The World Underwater Federation, being the home of all underwater activities, has given great importance to underwater imaging. We have been organizing underwater imaging competitions since 1979, allowing photographers of different nationalities to participate in shoot outs to capture the best images possible.

An underwater photographer is not only a photographer, one should be an engineer, diver, researcher, artist, handy person and even an inventor of special equipment. The passion within the underwater photographers pushes them to find the unexpected or simply a better angle for an amazing scene.

I would like to finalize my words by congratulating underwater photographers and videographers of the world for documenting the marine life of today for the coming generations. Your hard work and you love of underwater is pushing people to be more aware and be more protective to our world.

Never loose the passion and never stop exploring.

Kerim Sabuncuoglu

President of CMAS Visual Commission